Japan's First Resort for Birdwatchers
Located 90 minutes from Tokyo in mountainous Nagano Prefecture, HOSHINOYA Karuizawa is an idyll for birds and travelers alike. The premises border the Karuizawa National Wild Bird Sanctuary Forest -- a project born from a collaboration between a local wild bird researcher and current CEO, Yoshiharu Hoshino's grandfather, who ran a hot spring inn in the same place where HOSHINOYA Karuizawa now stands. One of the resort's eco-tourism activities includes a tour through the sanctuary led by Picchio, a group of professional guides, who know the forest inside and out. The resort also actively uses clean energy and has created a zero-emission environment so it can contribute to the preservation of its natural surroundings. 
History
The history of the sanctuary and HOSHINOYA Karuizawa goes back to Kasuke Hoshino, the current CEO, Yoshiharu Hoshino's grandfather. Kasuke Hoshino ran a hot spring inn that he inherited from his father and became close with poet and wild bird researcher, Godo Nakanishi, who was also the founder of the Wild Bird Society of Japan. Nakanishi popularized the preservation of wild birds in Japan and was the first to point out to Kasuke that the forest by his inn was one of the world's largest treasure troves of wild birds. To help promote his mentor's work with wild birds, Kasuke organized bird-watching expeditions in Karuizawa, which was a rare tour for its time in Japan. In 1992, Yoshiharu Hoshino established a wild bird institute as part of his eco-tourism endeavors, and in 1995, it was renamed Picchio and became the official eco-tourism arm of Hoshino Resorts.
Design & Architecture
Architecture– Rie Azuma, Azuma Architect & Associates
Karuizawa homes are designed to open up and extend into their natural surroundings by using terraces, for example. Azuma has incorporated this element into the pavilions at HOSHINOYA Karuizawa, each one a standalone building to provide the look and feel of a private vacation home. This choice inherently accomplished the task of connecting interior and exterior spaces enduring and critical element of Japanese design. Pavilions open up to captivating scenery, with seamless lines extending into the natural elements and river that grace the premises.
Azuma also sought to create an optimal environment for relaxation defined by Japanese aesthetics. She narrowed in on factors like sofa comfort and eye level to create spaces that would serve not only as bedrooms, but as accommodations where guests would feel drawn to spend time. To create variation in the resort and draw out the diverse charms of the natural setting, Azuma designed twenty-two different pavilions. A network of winding roads connects them to give HOSHINOYA Karuizawa the feel of a village－one that offers an atmosphere unlike anywhere else.
Landscape – Hiroki Hasegawa, Studio on site
Hasegawa realized early on that any landscape design would need to perfectly balance the needs of a resort village with the existing natural environment. He first focused on how to preserve the shape of the valley, its river, and the large, ancient trees.
The trees were the key. They had existed in the valley for centuries, drawing water from the river flowing in from nearby Mt. Asama. Around them spread terraced hills and natural trails. Hasegawa became inspired to connect these scenic elements with footpaths and small bridges.
The footpaths wind freely along the contours of the premises. Guests who travel along them will experience scenery and soundscapes that continuously change, from the coming and going of the river's murmurs to the varying fauna that can be found around every corner.
Lighting – Masanobu Takeishi, Illumination of City Environment, Ltd.
In creating a lighting scheme suited to a relaxed resort environment, Takeishi knew that brightness could not, on its own, provide comfort. By retracting unnecessary light, he was able to synthesize light and darkness in a way that balanced the human with the structural and natural.
At sundown, the resort transforms. Lights glimmer all around during the last glow of twilight, creating an entirely new landscape. As night deepens, the lightscape changes further underneath the clear, bright moon and starlight.
Guest Rooms
There are a total of 77 guest rooms and 3 room types: Mizunami, Yamaroji, and Niwaroji. The guest rooms were designed to be comfortable and sustainable for the mind and body. We believe that the convenience of having all functions and the comfort of the mind and body are not always compatible so every item/function is carefully selected―keeping what is needed to create a space that is suitable to immerse oneself into the world of HOSHINOYA. In addition, the landscape created by taking advantage of the valley's topography has a different look depending on the season and time of day, allowing guests to feel nature and feel comfortable while staying indoors.
Food & Beverages
A variety of meal options are available at HOSHINOYA Karuizawa, including its main dining "Kasuke" and nearby affiliated facilities such as Bleston Court Yukawatan for French course meals, Sonmin-Shokudo for seasonal Japanese casual meals and other casual restaurants at Harunire Terrace.
Kasuke
At the main dining, Kasuke, Japanese cuisine in a style that one might describe as "alpine kaiseki" is served. River fish, game, and seasonal vegetables are prepared in ways that evoke local culinary styles while offering a truly relaxing dining experience. Each dish is designed to make the heart flutter at first sight and melt after one bite. An element of surprise can generate conversation, which can heighten the enjoyment of the meal.
Special Facilities
Surrounded by nature at the foot of Mt. Asama and a valley with clear rivers, the resort is located where many gathered and interacted since ancient times in search of hot spring bathing and time spent in the woods. Featured facilities include a garden with rice terraces, a library lounge with a wide view, a Japanese tea house, and a Forest Cafe & Bar by the edge of an icerink. In each space, the four seasons can be appreciated, spending a time of rest.
Meditation Bath and Tombo-no-yu
Hoshino Onsen is a natural hot spring found back in 1915 that flows directly from the source. An abundant amount of hot bicarbonate and chloride spring, about 400 liters every minute is available. The soft, thick water is said to wash away any impurities on the body, and a thin layer of salt will retain on the body as you leave the tub, keeping your skin moisturized. Since it removes and moisturizes, it is known as the hot spring of beauty.
Exclusive to guests staying at HOSHINOYA Karuizawa, the Meditation Bath is a public hot spring facility with a space of both light and no light. The transition from light to dark blocks stimuli from the outside world, where one's senses are sharpened and can enter relaxation through meditation. The temperature is about 39 to 40 degrees Celsius, so it is perfect for long soaks. The open-air public hot spring, Tombo-no-yu, is also a place where the Hoshino Onsen can be enjoyed and is available for day visitors too for a soak, where the four seasons can be appreciated. 
A Variety of Activities as an Ecotourism Resort
Ecotourism is a way of conserving nature while using it as a sustainable tourism resource. Since 1992, we have been involved in ecotourism as part of our environmental management. Picchio, our wildlife research center was established to develop its business based on the Karuizawa Wild Bird Forest adjacent to HOSHINOYA Karuizawa. Based on 30 years of wildlife research and research, they practice conservation activities and offer nature tours. The Wildbird nature tours are hosted every day and the Flying Squirrel watching tour with a 96.1% sighting rate (2021 result) is guided by our staff who are knowledgeable about wildlife. In addition to these tours, HOSHINOYA Karuizawa offers a variety of activities, including highland horse riding and outdoor skating.
Energy In My Yard - An Energy System that Helps the Resort Coexist with Nature
The resort is powered by the Energy In My Yard (EIMY) system, which runs on hydroelectricity provided by the river flowing through the premises and geothermal energy. It was developed from a simple idea: Using energy without damaging the resort's rich natural environment.
The development of EIMY initially focused on the use of hydropower, but soon incorporated the abundant geothermal energy that makes Karuizawa a hot spring hotspot. The three wells built to draw up this power achieve ten times the heat exchange efficiency standard in Europe and the U.S.
Combining this system with architectural ventilation elements has allowed the resort to become 70% self-sufficient and to use absolutely no fossil fuels. Thanks to EIMY, guests can enjoy natural cooling from the winds of the highlands and floor heating that produces no carbon dioxide
Overview of HOSHINOYA Karuizawa
Address: 2148 Hoshino, Karuizawa, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano
Number of Rooms: 77
Check-in: 3:00 pm/Check-out: 12:00 pm
Price: 112,000 JPY per night per room (includes tax and service charge, excludes meals)
Directions: Approximately 15 minutes by car from Karuizawa Station
*Free shuttle available (click here for timetable and other details)
About HOSHINOYA Brand
Luxury hotel embodying the true characteristics of land, history, and culture
HOSHINOYA is an accommodation with distinct themes, conceptualized from each location's land, history, and culture. Woven into these distinct themes is our attention to detail in every aspect from the design to hospitality; contributing to the creation of a one-of-a-kind world of HOSHINOYA. Enrich the heart with the epiphanies of travel through a unique stay experience.
About Hoshino Resorts
Hoshino Resorts was first established as a Japanese inn/ryokan in 1914 in Karuizawa in Nagano Prefecture before it began the operation of other resorts in Japan. Today, it has evolved into a highly influential hotel management company and is run by 4th-generation family member Yoshiharu Hoshino. Providing a unique experience focused on the local charms of each destination and a high level of omotenashi, Japanese-style hospitality, the company has expanded rapidly out of Karuizawa since 2001 and now operates more than 60 accommodations both in and outside Japan with one of the following categories: luxury hotel brand “HOSHINOYA,” hot spring ryokan brand “KAI,” countryside resort hotel brand “RISONARE,” city tourism hotel brand “OMO,” free-spirited hotel brand “BEB,” or other unique lodgings.
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