호시노 리조트 카이 엔슈

Despite being a foreigner in a commonly Japanese space, I was treated with the utmost care and respect. Being able to sample multiple variations of green tea (leaps and bounds more complex than any I had tasted back home) while looking out across the lake was an unforgettable experience. I wish I had stayed an extra night so I could experience a few more of the available services, but I did manage to purchase some tea leaves and orange juice for the journey. A top nitch experience all around.

Wow what a wonderful place! We had a room with a private onsen on the balcony and it was well worth it. We stayed here as a part of a longer Japan trip and appreciated being so well taken care of, from the exemplary service to the traditional and carefully prepared Japanese meals. The views from the room were breathtaking and made for an extra-relaxing weekend. We felt fully immersed in Japanese culture from the tea to the yukata, and we felt welcomed despite being the only North Americans there (as far as we could see). The property is a bit far from the station or the centre of town, but there are still many sights to see such as the amusement park, zoo, and flower park. If you stay, book early and reserve one of the three private onsen rooms, you won’t be disappointed.

I always love Hoshinoya group hotel. Nothing to complain, everything is just perfect.