19 unique winter experiences, including snow-themed decorations, illuminations, and complimentary sake, will showcase the regional charms of winter.
Hoshino Resorts will hold Winter Cultural Discoveries at 19 of its KAI-branded hot spring ryokans from December 1, 2024, to February 28, 2025. Each KAI property will offer a unique winter experience, such as digital art and decorations reminiscent of snowy landscapes and steamy hot springs, irori (hearth) gatherings, local fermented foods, and illuminations using regional ingredients.
Based on the concept of "Japanese Auberge" in classic hot spring, KAI offers "KAI Cultural Discovery" local experiences at all its facilities, allowing guests to fully enjoy the unique charms and traditional culture of each region. In winter, compared to other seasons, there is a tendency for more guests to enjoy a relaxing stay inside the ryokan (*1). Therefore, KAI has re-examined "KAI Cultural Discovery" to offer unique local cultural experiences, enhancing them with winter-specific elements.
*1: Source: Jalan's "Domestic Accommodation Travel Needs Survey Winter 2023-2024"
Winter Cultural Discoveries List
Hoshino Resorts KAI Kinugawa (Tochigi Prefecture, Kinugawa Onsen)
Winter Illumination Night
The "Mashiko-yaki Night," which introduces the characteristics, history, and charm of Mashiko ware, will be upgraded to "Winter Illumination Night" this winter. In a space enveloped in soft light, wintery music will be played on instruments made from Mashiko ware.
Hoshino Resorts KAI Alps (Nagano Prefecture, Omachi Onsen)
Nagano's Local Winter Experience
Mochi Grilling by the Irori: This winter, guests can enjoy a rural experience by wearing "nagiso neko," a traditional winter jacket from the Nagiso region of Nagano Prefecture, warming themselves around the irori (hearth), and savoring freshly grilled mochi with Shinshu miso. This Nagano-style winter Cultural Discovery allows a enjoyable conversation time around the Irori.
Hoshino Resorts KAI Tamatsukuri (Shimane Prefecture, Tamatsukuri Onsen)
Iwami Kagura - Orochi Dancing in the Winter Scenery of Okuizumo
This winter, Iwami Kagura will be performed using a special curtain depicting the Hii River, where the story takes place, and the snowy mountains of Okuizumo. The performance is based on the myth of Yamata no Orochi, which is associated with Shimane. Guests can enjoy this powerful performance with complimentary junmai sake "Yamata no Orochi."
Hoshino Resorts KAI Beppu (Oita Prefecture, Beppu Onsen)
Toji Jug Band with Digital Art
This winter, KAI Beppu will hold a "Toji Jug Band" performance, combining digital art depicting winter scenes of Beppu, such as steamy hot springs, with music played using sounds created from the abundant hot springs and bath buckets. Guests can enjoy a dramatic Cultural Discovery through video and music.
Hoshino Resorts KAI Poroto (Hokkaido, Shiraoi Onsen)
The Story of the Fire God and Amulet Making
In addition to making amulets using the "ikema" plant, which the Ainu people wore daily as a talisman, guests can also learn about Ainu spirituality.
Hoshino Resorts KAI Tsugaru (Aomori Prefecture, Owani Onsen)
Winter-limited Tsugaru Shamisen and Tsugaru Fue Live Performance
In addition to Tsugaru shamisen performance, KAI Tsugaru will also offer live performances of "Tsugaru fue" (flute). Guests can enjoy the elegant sounds of the Tsugaru fue while taking a sip of local sake.
Hoshino Resorts KAI Akiu (Miyagi Prefecture, Akiu Onsen)
A Date-style Feast with Winter-Limited Sake
KAI Akiu will prepare a feast featuring "zunda mochi," a Miyagi Prefecture local dish combining mochi, a winter preserved food, with zunda (sweet edamame paste), and winter-limited sake.
Hoshino Resorts KAI Sengokuhara (Kanagawa Prefecture, Sengokuhara Onsen)
Colorful Tenugui to Resemble the Snowscape
KAI Sengokuhara will prepare winter-limited tenugui (hand towels) with images of the Hakone mountains and thatched roofs. Guests can color their own unique tenugui using three-dimensional painting materials.
Hoshino Resorts KAI Ito (Shizuoka Prefecture, Ito Onsen)
Winter-Scented Camellia Oil Extraction Experience
This winter, in addition to making camellia oil, guests can add fragrance to the extracted camellia oil using aroma oils centered on winter flowers. Enjoy the moisturizing power and fragrance of camellia oil.
Hoshino Resorts KAI Anjin (Shizuoka Prefecture, Ito Onsen)
Warm Up with Spices
This winter, guests can blend spices perfect for the cold winter into tea, a beverage long enjoyed in England, the birthplace of William Adams (Miura Anjin), while enjoying a short movie about Miura Anjin.
Hoshino Resorts KAI Enshu (Shizuoka Prefecture, Kakegawa)
Shizuoka Pilgrimage: Tea Tasting Experience
KAI Enshu will offer a tea tasting experience comparing teas associated with power spots. "Amacha" (sweet tea) will be prepared by combining tea blessed at Murayama Sengen Shrine, located at the foot of Mount Fuji, with amazake (sweet rice drink).
Hoshino Resorts KAI Matsumoto (Nagano Prefecture, Asama Onsen)
Wine and Lobby Concert
In the open lobby, guests can spend an extraordinary evening immersed in music while sipping original hot wine in a space enveloped in warm, flickering lights.
Hoshino Resorts KAI Kaga (Ishikawa Prefecture, Yamashiro Onsen)
Kaga Lion Dance with Fluttering Snow Mizuhiki
The delicate beauty of snow and the unique appearance of a lion head with its "happō-nirami" (glaring in all directions) will be expressed using "mizuhiki," a rare traditional craft of Kaga, representing the snowy landscape of Hokuriku.
Hoshino Resorts KAI Izumo (Shimane Prefecture, Hinomisaki Onsen)
Iwami Kagura - Immerse Yourself in Shimane's Traditions with Mythology and Sake "Kuniyuzuri"
This winter, hot sake, which originated in Shimane Prefecture, and ginger-flavored confectionery, a specialty of Izumo City, will be offered. Guests can enjoy a performance that will warm both body and soul, based on the myth that is the origin of Izumo Taisha Shrine.
Hoshino Resorts KAI Nagato (Yamaguchi Prefecture, Nagato Yumoto Onsen)
Winter Kakizome (First Calligraphy of the Year)
Guests can enjoy ink and calligraphy by writing their wishes for the year on ema (votive picture tablets) using ink ground with an Akama suzuri (inkstone), a traditional craft of Yamaguchi. The ema can be dedicated at Sumiyoshi Shrine, which is featured in the legend of the onsen's origin.
Hoshino Resorts KAI Yufuin (Oita Prefecture, Yufuin Onsen)
Winter Preparations on the Farm: Straw Weaving Experience and "Kobiru" Break
Guests can make shimenawa (sacred rice straw ropes) by experiencing "wara-nai" (straw weaving), a farm chore done during the winter lull. Enjoy local sweets and amazake during "kobiru", a break taken between farm work.
Hoshino Resorts KAI Aso (Kumamoto Prefecture, Senomoto Kogen)
Learning about Caldera While Enjoying Citrus Drinks
In a space where guests can feel the volcano worship that gave Kumamoto the name "Land of Fire," they can learn about the formation of the Aso caldera while enjoying citrus drinks, which are in season during the winter.
Hoshino Resorts KAI Unzen (Nagasaki Prefecture, Unzen Onsen)
Feel the Winter with Letterpress Printing: The Charm of Concave and Convex
On a quiet winter night, in a fantastical space illuminated by Japanese candles, guests can learn about the roots and depths of letterpress printing, said to have originated in Nagasaki.
Hoshino Resorts KAI Kirishima (Kagoshima Prefecture, Kirishima Onsen)
Enjoy "Tenson Korin" dance with Authentic Shochu
This winter, "Ninigi-no-Mikoto" (the grandson of the sun goddess Amaterasu), adorned in gorgeous attire, will perform a dance amidst the winter scenery of Kirishima. Guests can spend a mystical evening enjoying Kagoshima's famous sweet potato shochu and amazake.
Winter Cultural Discoveries Overview
Dates: December 1, 2024 - February 28, 2025 (excluding closed days)
Fee: Free
Note: Times, locations, and reservation methods vary by property. Please refer to each property's official website for details.
Best Rate Guaranteed
