Upcoming hot spring ryokan at Kawayu Onsen in Teshikaga-cho, Hokkaido
KAI, a brand of hot spring ryokans, operated nationwide in Japan by Hoshino Resorts, has decided to name its upcoming hot spring ryokan KAI Teshikaga, which is planned to be developed at the same time as the Akan-Mashu National Park Kawayu Onsen Town Development Master Plan in Kawayu Hot Spring in Teshikaga Town, Hokkaido. Its grand opening is scheduled for 2026 as the second KAI ryokan in Hokkaido, following KAI Poroto.
Features and Charms of Kawayu Onsen in Teshikaga-cho, Hokkaido
Located in the eastern part of Hokkaido, Teshikaga-cho is an area with expansive nature of a large scale typical of Hokkaido. The area is home to Lake Mashu, which boasts world-class water transparency, as well as Japan’s largest caldera lake, Lake Kussharo. The entire region is known as the Akan Mashu National Park and is mostly protected as a nature conservation area. Kawayu Onsen is a hot springs area situated precisely in this region, where it enshrouds its surroundings with the smell of sulfur from the strongly acidic spring water it gushes out. Its exceptional spring water quality is well-known throughout Hokkaido. Here, the constant rise of steam from the surface of the active volcano Mt. Io joins the soft steam floating above the spring water that flows into the river, forming a breathtaking scene showcasing the incredible power of the earth.
The Concept Behind the KAI Teshikaga Name
Hokkaido is well-known for its majestic nature but eastern Hokkaido is especially recognized for it. The expansive, nature-filled Teshikaga area of the national park is a treasure trove of utterly unique tourist attractions that captivate countless visitors. With a conviction that this very nature sits at the core of the KAI vision, “Experiencing the beauty of the surrounding nature through hot springs ryokans,” we aim to channel nature’s beauty from the entire surrounding fields into every aspect of our hospitality. The ryokan’s name in Japanese employs katakana characters instead of the traditional Kanji script, providing readability for those learning of the location for the first time and making an impression on those familiar with a fresh feel. Further, we narrowed in on the name Teshikaga as it invokes the power of nature through ancient indigenous words of the land that describe teshika for “bedrock” and ga for “above”* (“above the bedrock”).
*Reference: Official webpage of Teshikaga Town https://www.town.teshikaga.hokkaido.jp/kurashi/soshikiichiran/somuka/8/1/811.html
Plan Outline
Name of Ryokan: Hoshino Resorts KAI Teshikaga
Location: 2 Kawayu Onsen, Teshikaga, Kawakami-gun, Hokkaido
Number of Rooms: Undecided
Open Date: 2026
The Akan Mashu National Park Kawayu Onsen Town Development Master Plan
This plan was submitted in February 2023 as the basic concept behind the redevelopment project for the entire hot springs town through which the hot spring river flows. Hoshino Resorts participated alongside Machi Seisakushitsu Co., Ltd. and Studio On Site to formulate and promote the master plan. The master plan is based on a development concept of “a caldera forest hot springs town woven together by a hot springs river” and proposes various spaces that draw from the lush nature of Akan Mashu National Park. Among the proposed spaces is “Kawayu Plaza,” where visitors can soak in the flowing hot spring river while enjoying an astonishingly large sense of scale. The “Kawayu Terrace” is another proposed space that melts into a pleasant nature scene with sunlight filtered through leaves. “Kawayu Lane” is envisioned as a space along the river lined with street-side market booths. The plan aims to enable visitors to stroll along the riverside path while enjoying the whole area. KAI Teshikaga, as announced in this release, is being planned as part of the community development. We aim to make this a place where our guests can enjoy and further their understanding of the beauty and fascination of the entire area throughout all the moments of their stays.
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