Hoshino Resorts offers a hot spring inn brand called "Kai," which blends traditional Japanese charm with sophistication and luxury. Its unique appeal lies in the balance between timeless culture and modern relaxation. This time, we introduce three beautiful resorts where you can enjoy luxurious winter ingredients.
Kai Reservation Center
Phone: 050-3134-8092
1. Kai Tsugaru
Located in Owani Onsen, deep in Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture, Kai Tsugaru is a tranquil hot spring resort that offers charm year-round, but the winter season truly brings out the region's beauty.
Until February 28, you can visit the "Koginkamakura," a small snow hut with lanterns adorned with Kogin embroidery patterns, located across the water garden from the open-air bath. When you soak in the "Kamakura Open-air Bath," modeled after a snow hut with an arched roof, you’ll feel transported into a real snow hut, with a panoramic snowy view to complete the experience.
Owani Onsen, which has been renowned for over 800 years, is recognized as a special "gyouji" in Edo-period hot spring rankings. Its weakly alkaline sodium chloride sulfate spring soothes the skin and warms the body from within.
For dinner, indulge in the winter "Oma Tuna Kaiseki," which features "Oma Tuna," regarded as the best tuna from Aomori Prefecture. Enjoy it in a variety of ways, including appetizers paired with black garlic and sea urchin, sashimi, nigiri, and "negima nabe" with the sweetness of green onions, making it an unforgettable experience for tuna lovers.
Additionally, guests can enjoy live Tsugaru shamisen performances every night from 9 PM in front of a painting by the renowned Japanese artist Matazo Kayama. The performances are a tribute to the region’s traditional culture, and the powerful sounds of the shamisen are sure to lift your spirits.
"Oma Tuna Kaiseki"
- Period: Until February 28, 2025 (excluding certain dates)
- Accommodation: From ¥33,000 per person (for two people sharing a room, including tax, service charge, dinner, and breakfast)
- Reservations: Must be made 5 days in advance via the official website
2. Kai Enshu
Located in Tateyamadera Onsen, Shizuoka Prefecture, Kai Enshu offers stunning views of Lake Hamana and the Tsumugi Tea Fields, where tea trees and Enkianthus campanulatus are planted alternately. This serene setting complements the tranquil atmosphere of the inn, where all rooms offer a view of the lake. The open-air bath, where baskets filled with local Shizuoka tea leaves float, provides a relaxing experience for the senses.
This winter, enjoy the "Fugu All-You-Can-Eat Kaiseki" course, featuring tiger pufferfish from the Enshu Nada Sea. Start with a pre-meal fin sake and enjoy various dishes, including thinly sliced sashimi with a jelly-like sauce and six different condiments. Afterward, savor grilled milt, fugu chirinabe, and other pufferfish preparations. As Shizuoka is renowned for its tea culture, why not pair your meal with some of the region’s finest tea?
"Fugu Kaiseki"
- Period: Until February 28, 2025 (excluding certain dates)
- Accommodation: From ¥50,000 per person (for two people sharing a room, including tax, service charge, dinner, and breakfast)
- Reservations: Must be made 5 days in advance via the official website
3. Kai Tamatsukuri
Tamatsukuri Onsen in Shimane Prefecture has been recognized for its healing properties for over 1,300 years. At KAI Tamatsukuri, guests can enjoy private open-air baths in every room and immerse themselves in Shimane's rich culture, including local seafood, sake, tea ceremonies, and the Yamata no Orochi Kagura dance.
For winter, the "Kiwame Live Matsuba Crab Kaiseki" is a must-try. This luxurious kaiseki meal uses only live Matsuba crab in each dish, allowing you to fully enjoy the season’s freshest crab. A standout dish is the "Crab Sukiyaki," prepared in a custom-made pot using Sekishugawara tiles from the Iwami region. The broth, made with Lake Shinji’s clams, enhances the rich flavors of the crab, and the rice porridge served at the end of the meal is a perfect way to finish.
Pair your crab dishes with sake, a tradition of Shimane, using sake cups carefully chosen by the staff.
"Kiwame Live Matsuba Crab Kaiseki Course"
- Period: Until March 10, 2025 (excluding certain dates)
- Accommodation: From ¥63,000 per person (for two people sharing a room, including tax, service charge, dinner, and breakfast)
- Reservations: Must be made 5 days in advance via the official website
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