Discover the Ultimate Japan Experience at the HOSHINOYA Karuizawa Resort
HOSHINOYA Karuizawa is a 77-room forest resort in Nagano, Japan, about an hour by train from Tokyo, on the site of the first inn Hoshino opened in 1914. It reopened under its current name in 2005 and sits among mountains and forest at the foot of Mount Asama.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Address | 2148 Nagakura, Karuizawa-machi, Nagano |
| Rooms | 77 in three types, 44 to 81 sq m |
| Dining | 5 restaurants and a cafe or lounge |
| Hot springs | 2 onsen |
| Access | About 1 hour by train from Tokyo, then resort shuttle from Karuizawa Station |
| Rates | Not published on the resort’s page |
What is HOSHINOYA Karuizawa like?
Hoshino Resorts began as a forestry business in Karuizawa in 1904 and opened its first hot spring inn there ten years later. It closed that original property in 1995 for a decade, then reopened it in 2005 as a self-described eco-resort, powered partly by geothermal heat. The setting is surrounded by mountains and forests, and the resort sells itself as a place to watch birds and wildlife.
Rooms are grouped as Mizunami (57 to 68 sq m), Yamaroji (44 to 67 sq m) and Niwaroji (48 to 81 sq m), and the three types open onto the forest and water.
“The abundant nature found at HOSHINOYA Karuizawa is one reason this resort holds so much allure. The changing scenery throughout the seasons is breathtaking. We invite you to absorb the healing power of nature and experience total relaxation.”
Spa and Toji
Among the facilities is the HOSHINOYA Spa, which offers a new style of Toji, a traditional form of Japanese therapeutic bath designed to relieve stress and promote relaxation in a beautiful, natural environment.
“Warm stone therapy with body oil using Basalt and volcanic rocks from Mt. Asama. Let warmth from the heated rocks envelop you as the oil treatment draws you into deeper relaxation. Recommended before bedtime.”
Dining and shopping nearby
Our first version of this article counted 14 shops and restaurants at Harunire Terrace, the cluster among the trees. We could not re-verify that number, so check the resort for what is open. On the resort itself, the official page lists five restaurants and a cafe or lounge.
How much does it cost?
The resort’s own page shows no price until you pick dates. Third-party listings range widely, from roughly $317 a night on one aggregator to well over $2,000 for the top rooms, and one directory quoted a starting rate near 170,000 yen per room, so treat these as rough orientation only. This is a high-end ryokan-style stay.
Photo Credits: hoshinoyakaruizawa.com
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FAQ
Where is HOSHINOYA Karuizawa?
It is at 2148 Nagakura, Karuizawa-machi, Nagano, Japan, about one hour by train from Tokyo, with a shuttle from Karuizawa Station.
How many rooms does HOSHINOYA Karuizawa have?
77 guest rooms, in three types: Mizunami, Yamaroji and Niwaroji, from 44 to 81 square meters.
When did HOSHINOYA Karuizawa open?
Hoshino Resorts started its first inn in Karuizawa in 1914. The property reopened as HOSHINOYA Karuizawa, an eco-resort, in 2005, after a ten-year closure.
How much does HOSHINOYA Karuizawa cost?
The resort does not list rates on its page. Third-party listings show prices that vary widely by date and room, so check the official booking page for your dates.
What is the Toji bath?
It is a traditional Japanese therapeutic bath. The resort offers a new style of Toji in its spa.
Last updated: October 2026.
