Karuizawa Hoshino Area (hereafter Hoshino Area), located in the birthplace of Hoshino Resorts, celebrated its 110th anniversary on April 2024. Hoshino Area comprehends several hotels (HOSHINOYA Karuizawa, Karuizawa Hotel Bleston Court, BEB5 Karuizawa) and daytrip destinations (Hoshino Onsern Tombo-no-yu, Harunire Terrace, Sonmin-Shokudo, Picchio) and will hold special anniversary events from May 20, 2024 to February 28, 2025. The theme of these events is “Enjoy the forest, feel the forest.” Hoshino Resorts has, from a long time ago, experienced unique initiatives such as hydroelectric power generation, birdwatching, and exchanges with intellectuals.
Background
Hoshino Resorts was founded in 1914 as Hoshino Onsen Ryokan. At this time, a number of intellectuals, such as Kanzo Uchimura or Hakushu Kitahara, stayed at the inn. They would participate every summer in the “Art Freedom Education Seminar” and discuss art and literature while enjoying the nature of Karuizawa. One of those intellectuals, the poet Goto Nakanishi, was a birdwatching aficionado and actively protected the Karuizawa Wild Bird Sanctuary, one of the three official major birdwatching sites in Japan. For 110 years, Hoshino Area has maintained and protected nature and culture in Karuizawa and plans on continuing to do so in the future. To celebrate its history and future endeavors, special events will take place to celebrate the 110th anniversary.
110th Anniversary Special Events starting this summer
In the beginning of summer, Karuizawa gradually changes into a beautiful lush green spot. Special events involving the forest environment or related to the cultural history inherited from the Hoshino Onsen Ryokan era will be starting at the beginning of the summer season.
Harunire Terrace: Organic Wind - Feel the wind of 110 colors
From May 5 to June 30, 2024.
Harunire Terrace is a large green space with wooden decks surrounded by Japanese elms called harunire in Japanese. An expansive installation of fabric tainted with gentle and vivid colors made with kusakizome dyes (natural plant-based dyes) will be installed for a limited time. Since its inception, Hoshino Area has valued the concept of “co-existence with nature” and has been committed to zero-emission (*1) efforts since 1999. Thus, the fabric used for the installation will come from high-quality linen used inside the Hoshino Area. The colorful fabrics decorate the harunire trees and the blue sky to bring a festive and refreshing atmosphere.
(*1) Aiming at 100% recyclable waste
Hoshino Onsen Tombo-no-yu: Onsen Classic - A hot spring bath with classical music concert
On July 5 and 6, 2024
Hoshino Onsen Tombo-no-yu is a public hot spring facility for day visitors, too, that was first opened as Hoshino Onsen in 1915. In the 1950s, Hoshino Onsen hosted the Japan Contemporary Music Festival, and hundreds of music enthusiasts gathered there to eagerly listen to the then-rare contemporary music.
To celebrate the 110th anniversary of the Hoshino Area, Hoshino Onsen Tombo-no-yu will host a classical concert that visitors will be able to attend all while enjoying a footbath. The combination of hot springs and classical music makes for a unique experience and will allow visitors to relax both mentally and physically.
HOSHINOYA Karuizawa: Opening of the “Tanada Lounge,” an all-day lounge. Enjoy seasonal sceneries and terraced fields with the “Tanada Afternoon Tea” and experience regional food culture with the “Suzukaze Dinner Course”
This summer, HOSHINOYA Karuizawa will open an all-day lounge, the “Tanada Lounge,” a space to enjoy Karuizawa's fresh summer wind while enjoying the unique terraced fields’ landscape. A one-group per day limited “Tanada Afternoon Tea” will be available during the day with seasonal delicacies. Guests will be able to spend a refined and relaxing moment with the terraced fields and the sound of water while drinking an original, limited-edition rosé ciders and Sakura Kabacha tea, an elegant tea blend made with cherry tree bark. In the evening, a special dinner to enjoy with the summer night's landscape will be available, combining seasonal mountain ingredients with Shinshu region-style cuisine.
Bleston Court Yukawatan: A Classic French cuisine full-course with a modern twist
From June 1 to August 31, 2024
Since its founding as Hoshino Onsen Ryokan, welcoming guests with fresh seasonal dishes in Karuizawa’s rich natural environment has always been a valued aspect of hospitality. At Bleston Court Yukawatan, this hospitality aspect has been handed down from generation to generation, and this summer-limited special French course aims to be an expression of its hospitality culture. This menu revisits French classics such as the blanquette or en vessie cooking method, and proposes light, modern and colorful dishes such as "Breastfed Lamb Blanquette-style" or "Carp Contrast."
Karuizawa Kogen Church: Immerse yourself in magical light at “Summer Candle Night.”
From August 1 to 31, 2024
Missionaries who once visited Karuizawa wished people happiness by lighting up the city with lanterns. “Summer Candle Night” at the Karuizawa Kogen Church aims to continue this tradition, with this year’s theme being “Joyful.” Visitors gathered there will enjoy a magical landscape of lantern candles lightening up in the forest in front of the church with music.
110th Anniversary Special Features – From this Summer Onwards
Karuizawa Hoshino Area: SDGs Tour “Looking for Blessings with Hoshino” | June 2024, every Friday and Saturday
Hydroelectric power generation has been used in the Hoshino area since its beginnings. Since 1992, the Hoshino area has been actively involved in environmental protection and focused in particular on three elements: zero emission, use of environmentally friendly energy, and eco-tourism. This one-hour tour introduces the Hoshino area’s endeavors and efforts to contribute to SDGs in fun and entertaining ways.
Karuizawa Hotel Bleston Court: Afternoon Tea at The Lounge | From July 1 to October 31, 2024
Karuizawa Hotel Bleston Court will serve an afternoon tea set from this summer until autumn. The Lounge is an exclusive area with an open-air terrace to enjoy the nature of Karuizawa. The hotel will serve sweets and small bites made with seasonal produce such as strawberries in spring, peaches in summer, walnuts in autumn, and yuzu in winter. A special dessert plate will be served with seasonal fruits as a finale to the afternoon tea.
Karuizawa Hoshino Area: A feast in the forest, “Karuizawa Cheers to Nature” | From August 1 to 31, 2024.
This event was made in collaboration with Yoho Brewing, brewers of the famous “Yona Yona Ale,” to enjoy Karuizawa summer with a nice beer. For the 110th anniversary, 11 types of beer and 10 types of different finger food will be served, an allusion to the 110 number (11 by 10). During this period, a two-day-only special event will take place with a morning run and an evening beer talk.
Karuizawa Hoshino Area: Nature Wine Terrace | On October 4 & 5, 2024.
For the 110th anniversary, an event to try 110 different natural wines will be organized at the Harunire Terrace. This two-day event will be a special occasion to exchange with natural wine amateurs and wine importers while also enjoying good food and wine pairing.
HOSHINOYA Karuizawa: How to enjoy the forest and co-inhabit with bears: Eco-tourism with “Karuizawa Nature Stay” | From October 1 to November 30, 2024
To celebrate the 110th year anniversary, HOSHINOYA Karuizawa proposes a special stay to experience the symbiosis with forests and wildlife that has been passed down and protected since the foundation of Hoshino Resorts. The Karuizawa Wild Bird Sanctuary (hereinafter referred to as Wild Bird Sanctuary) is located in front of HOSHINOYA Karuizawa and is characterized by the close proximity between wild animals and humans. Autumn is a season where bears are particularly active. Picchio, our wildlife research and conservation center with experts on flora and fauna, will invite you to a study tour of wild birds and bears for a three-day, two-night stay.
Hoshino Onsen Tombo-no-yu: Special time-limited sauna event | On January 25 & 26, February 8 & 9, 2025.
In addition to being a hot spring that flows directly from the source, Hoshino Onsen Tombo-no-yu is popular for its 13°C water bath that draws natural spring water and its outdoor bathing that falls below zero in the harsh winter season. For a limited time, the outdoor hot spring will be transformed into a large water bath and refreshing cooling spot, while the adjacent Sonmin-Shokudo will offer hot pot to have a good sweat. This sauna transformation is an exclusive event, especially for sauna lovers.
About the logo
The logo for Karuizawa Hoshino Area 110th Anniversary consists of wild birds to represent the Wild Bird Sanctuary and its history of co-existing with birds and wildlife. This is a fun and light way to celebrate 110 years of living in harmony with nature.
Karuizawa Hoshino Area 110th Anniversary – Overview
Period : From May 20, 2024 to February 29, 2025.
Location : Karuizawa Hoshino Area
About Karuizawa Hoshino Area
The Karuizawa Hoshino area was a place where famous intellectuals and artists gathered and formed a community during the Taisho period at the beginning of the 20th century. Loved by many people since ancient times, the area has now become a “small town” where people who love nature and culture gather.
Address: Hoshino, Karuizawa, Nagano, 389-0194
Access: Approximately 15 minutes by car from Karuizawa Station (JR Hokuriku Shinkansen) and 25 minutes by car from Usui Karuizawa Interchange
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