[Hoshinoya Karuizawa] A Summer Getaway to Escape the Sweltering Heat. Proposing a Blissful, Cool Stay Away from the Bustle and Immersed in Nature.
Hoshinoya Karuizawa, located at the foot of Mt. Asama, is offering a "Blissful Cool Stay" from July 1 to August 31, 2026, allowing guests to escape the summer heat. The proposal includes morning nature walks, enjoying chilled desserts at a terraced lounge, and nighttime experiences like firefly viewing and a special bar. The resort utilizes its naturally cool climate and sustainable architecture to provide a refreshing and environmentally conscious retreat.
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"Hoshinoya Karuizawa," located in a valley at the foot of Mount Asama
"Hoshinoya," where each facility offers an overwhelmingly extraordinary experience with a unique theme. At "Hoshinoya Karuizawa" in Nagano Prefecture, the brand's origin, we propose a blissful, cool stay from July 1 to August 31, 2026, where you can escape the hustle and bustle and immerse yourself in nature. In the morning, enjoy the "Morning Mist Path Tour" to experience nature in the pleasant coolness. In the afternoon, enjoy the cold confection "Cool Breeze Yatsudoki" at a special seat on the terraced rice fields where a cool breeze blows. In the evening, savor an original shaved ice at the fantastically lit-up "Terraced Field Bar Lounge" while surrounded by the sounds of insects and the babbling of the river. We also introduce special seats that can only be experienced in summer, such as "Firefly Viewing," which evokes a sense of Japan's traditional landscapes.
Background
As the summer heat intensifies year after year due to global warming, Karuizawa, with an average temperature about 7 degrees Celsius lower than Tokyo (*1), is known as one of Japan's leading summer resorts. Nestled in a valley surrounded by a lush forest at the foot of Mount Asama, "Hoshinoya Karuizawa" not only allows guests to enjoy this cool climate but also achieves a stay that maximizes coolness while minimizing environmental impact by combining architectural ingenuity with unique energy utilization. Guest rooms are equipped with "Furo" (*2), a modern application of ancient wisdom. As a "natural air conditioner" that releases indoor heat and brings in cool breezes, it creates a comfortable air circulation that doesn't rely too heavily on air conditioning. Furthermore, based on the concept of "EIMY (Energy In My Yard / producing the energy we use ourselves)," the facility utilizes natural energy sources such as geothermal heat and hot spring waste heat, in addition to hydroelectric power generated from the water flowing through the property. The stay itself is a system that contributes to environmental consideration. We propose a "summer resort experience" that leverages Karuizawa's characteristics and environmental architecture.
*1 Japan Meteorological Agency (average value from July to September 2025)
*2 Furo (風楼): Described at the end of this press release
[Morning] "Morning Mist Path Tour" for a Pleasant Awakening in the Fresh Air
An early morning nature walk with the Valley Dwellers (staff)
Located at the foot of Mount Asama, Hoshinoya Karuizawa is surrounded by forests, allowing you to feel nature everywhere. The early summer mornings are the coolest time of the day, with an average temperature of 18°C (*3). As you walk along the path with the morning sun filtering through, listening to the babbling of the river that flows through the center of the facility, a pleasant green breeze envelops your mind and body. The walk is guided by the "Valley Dwellers (staff)" who know the facility inside and out, allowing you to feel the unique summer plants and the changing of the seasons up close.
*3 Japan Meteorological Agency (average value for August 2025)
Dates: July 1 - August 31
Time: From 6:00 AM
Fee: Free
Reservation: Required on the official website by 6:00 PM the day before (https://hoshinoresorts.com/ja/hotels/hoshinoyakaruizawa/activities/)
Note: May be canceled in case of inclement weather.
[Daytime] "Cool Breeze Yatsudoki" - Savoring Coolness with Both Eyes and Palate While Viewing the Terraced Fields
Daytime "Terraced Field Lounge" with a view of greenery
Cold confection "Cool Breeze Yatsudoki" using Kumazasa agar
While the heat in the metropolitan area makes it difficult to spend time outdoors during the day, the "Terraced Field Lounge" within the facility offers a cool respite even in the daytime, with the sound of pleasant water and a view of the spreading greenery. We offer the cold confection "Cool Breeze Yatsudoki," which features seasonal fruits, Kumazasa (bamboo grass) agar, and a mousse made with Lindera umbellata, known for its refreshing scent. It is a luxurious summer resort experience where you can feel coolness with both your eyes and your palate.
Dates: July 1 - August 31
Time: From 1:00 PM
Fee: 2,662 JPY per person (tax and service charge included)
Reservation: Required on the official website by 6:00 PM the day before (https://hoshinoresorts.com/ja/hotels/hoshinoyakaruizawa/activities/)
Note: Will be held indoors in case of rain.
[Night] Three Summer Night Experiences Colored by the Waterside Landscape
■ "Summer Night Firefly Lights" - A Serene Night Wrapped in Japan's Primordial Scenery
Firefly viewing by the small stream near Hoshinoya Karuizawa
Hoshinoya Karuizawa is embraced by the valley terrain and rich nature at the foot of Mount Asama, offering a tranquil landscape based on the concept of "In Praise of Shadows." Along the clear stream that flows near the inn, for a limited period in summer, the fantastical lights of countless fireflies gently illuminate the surroundings. The sound of the stream, the scent of the grass and trees, and the light of the fireflies floating in the dark night. You can spend a peaceful time that quietly reminds you of Japan's primordial scenery.
Dates: July 1 - July 31 *There may be days when viewing is not possible depending on the firefly flight conditions.
Time: From 5:30 PM
Fee: Free
Reservation: Not required (https://hoshinoresorts.com/ja/hotels/hoshinoyakaruizawa/activities/)
Note: The firefly viewing location will be provided at check-in. Canceled in case of rain.
■ "Terraced Field Bar Lounge" - Enveloped in a Magical Night View and the Sounds of Nature
Night at the "Terraced Field Bar Lounge"
"Karuizawa Aromatic Wood Shaved Ice"
The "Terraced Field Bar Lounge," which surrounds the terraced fields, is a special seating area with 28 seats integrated with the iconic landscape of Hoshinoya Karuizawa. Unlike the daytime, the terraced fields at night are enveloped in a fantastical atmosphere by the lighting. We offer shaved ice made with tree syrups, such as the "Karuizawa Aromatic Wood Shaved Ice" and "White Birch Shaved Ice," based on the concept of "eating the scent of the forest," as well as Japanese sake. You can enjoy a cool summer night while listening to the pleasant melody played by nature, such as the sound of water, the chirping of insects that echoes in the quiet of the night, and the sound of the wind rustling the trees.
Dates: July 1 - August 31
Time: From 8:00 PM
Fee: Shaved ice from 2,700 JPY each (tax and service charge included, accommodation fee separate)
Reservation: Required on the official website by 8:00 PM on the day (https://hoshinoresorts.com/ja/hotels/hoshinoyakaruizawa/activities/)
Note: Contents and ingredients may be partially changed depending on availability.
■ "Forest Anniversary Plan" - An Exclusive Seat in the Forest and Water
A moment in a private space surrounded by forest and water
Exterior of Mori no Hotori Cafe & Bar
We offer an anniversary plan that allows one group per day to exclusively reserve the "Mori no Hotori Cafe & Bar," which stands in the tranquil forest. In the midst of fantastical nature, you can spend a moment that will be etched in your memory, sharing an experience of decorating a cake with your loved one and writing your thoughts on traditional "Uchiyama paper" (*4). The message you write will be provided as an original album along with a commemorative photo from the day. It is a plan where you can spend a blissful night deepening your bond with your loved one in an extraordinary space where the breath of the forest and the babbling of the stream are pleasant.
*4 Uchiyama paper
Dates: July 1 - August 31
Time: From 9:00 PM
Fee: 24,200 JPY per group (tax and service charge included, accommodation fee separate)
Includes: Private use of Mori no Hotori Cafe & Bar, original cake, champagne, commemorative photo album
Reservation: Required on the official website at least 7 days in advance (https://hoshinoresorts.com/ja/hotels/hoshinoyakaruizawa/activities/)
[Hoshinoya Karuizawa's Environmental Architecture]
The guest rooms at Hoshinoya Karuizawa have a small roof called "Furo" on top of the main roof. This serves as a vent to take in outside air from the ceiling, promoting indoor air circulation by exhausting warm air and drawing in cool outside air. It functions as a "natural air conditioner" that adjusts the room temperature by utilizing the natural flow of wind, an architectural design aimed at maintaining a comfortable space without relying excessively on air conditioning equipment.
The "Furo" attached to the building's roof and its mechanism
■ Hoshinoya Karuizawa
Stay in a village in the valley. The detached guest rooms surround the water, and you can feel the changing of the seasons from the room's terrace. It is a residential-style accommodation where you can enjoy a relaxing time in a rich natural environment facing the "Karuizawa Wild Bird Sanctuary."
Location: Hoshino, Karuizawa-machi, Nagano 389-0194
Phone: 050-3134-8091 (Hoshinoya General Reservations)
Number of rooms: 77 ・ Check-in: 15:00 / Check-out: 12:00
Price: From 170,000 JPY per night (per room, tax and service charge included, meals separate)
Access: About 15 minutes by car from JR Karuizawa Station, about 40 minutes by car from Usui-Karuizawa IC, dedicated shuttle bus available from Shinano Railway Naka-Karuizawa Station
Opening date: July 20, 2005
URL: https://hoshinoresorts.com/ja/hotels/hoshinoyakaruizawa/
"Hoshinoya," where each facility offers an overwhelmingly extraordinary experience with a unique theme. At "Hoshinoya Karuizawa" in Nagano Prefecture, the brand's origin, we propose a blissful, cool stay from July 1 to August 31, 2026, where you can escape the hustle and bustle and immerse yourself in nature. In the morning, enjoy the "Morning Mist Path Tour" to experience nature in the pleasant coolness. In the afternoon, enjoy the cold confection "Cool Breeze Yatsudoki" at a special seat on the terraced rice fields where a cool breeze blows. In the evening, savor an original shaved ice at the fantastically lit-up "Terraced Field Bar Lounge" while surrounded by the sounds of insects and the babbling of the river. We also introduce special seats that can only be experienced in summer, such as "Firefly Viewing," which evokes a sense of Japan's traditional landscapes.
Background
As the summer heat intensifies year after year due to global warming, Karuizawa, with an average temperature about 7 degrees Celsius lower than Tokyo (*1), is known as one of Japan's leading summer resorts. Nestled in a valley surrounded by a lush forest at the foot of Mount Asama, "Hoshinoya Karuizawa" not only allows guests to enjoy this cool climate but also achieves a stay that maximizes coolness while minimizing environmental impact by combining architectural ingenuity with unique energy utilization. Guest rooms are equipped with "Furo" (*2), a modern application of ancient wisdom. As a "natural air conditioner" that releases indoor heat and brings in cool breezes, it creates a comfortable air circulation that doesn't rely too heavily on air conditioning. Furthermore, based on the concept of "EIMY (Energy In My Yard / producing the energy we use ourselves)," the facility utilizes natural energy sources such as geothermal heat and hot spring waste heat, in addition to hydroelectric power generated from the water flowing through the property. The stay itself is a system that contributes to environmental consideration. We propose a "summer resort experience" that leverages Karuizawa's characteristics and environmental architecture.
*1 Japan Meteorological Agency (average value from July to September 2025)
*2 Furo (風楼): Described at the end of this press release
[Morning] "Morning Mist Path Tour" for a Pleasant Awakening in the Fresh Air
An early morning nature walk with the Valley Dwellers (staff)
Located at the foot of Mount Asama, Hoshinoya Karuizawa is surrounded by forests, allowing you to feel nature everywhere. The early summer mornings are the coolest time of the day, with an average temperature of 18°C (*3). As you walk along the path with the morning sun filtering through, listening to the babbling of the river that flows through the center of the facility, a pleasant green breeze envelops your mind and body. The walk is guided by the "Valley Dwellers (staff)" who know the facility inside and out, allowing you to feel the unique summer plants and the changing of the seasons up close.
*3 Japan Meteorological Agency (average value for August 2025)
Dates: July 1 - August 31
Time: From 6:00 AM
Fee: Free
Reservation: Required on the official website by 6:00 PM the day before (https://hoshinoresorts.com/ja/hotels/hoshinoyakaruizawa/activities/)
Note: May be canceled in case of inclement weather.
[Daytime] "Cool Breeze Yatsudoki" - Savoring Coolness with Both Eyes and Palate While Viewing the Terraced Fields
Daytime "Terraced Field Lounge" with a view of greenery
Cold confection "Cool Breeze Yatsudoki" using Kumazasa agar
While the heat in the metropolitan area makes it difficult to spend time outdoors during the day, the "Terraced Field Lounge" within the facility offers a cool respite even in the daytime, with the sound of pleasant water and a view of the spreading greenery. We offer the cold confection "Cool Breeze Yatsudoki," which features seasonal fruits, Kumazasa (bamboo grass) agar, and a mousse made with Lindera umbellata, known for its refreshing scent. It is a luxurious summer resort experience where you can feel coolness with both your eyes and your palate.
Dates: July 1 - August 31
Time: From 1:00 PM
Fee: 2,662 JPY per person (tax and service charge included)
Reservation: Required on the official website by 6:00 PM the day before (https://hoshinoresorts.com/ja/hotels/hoshinoyakaruizawa/activities/)
Note: Will be held indoors in case of rain.
[Night] Three Summer Night Experiences Colored by the Waterside Landscape
■ "Summer Night Firefly Lights" - A Serene Night Wrapped in Japan's Primordial Scenery
Firefly viewing by the small stream near Hoshinoya Karuizawa
Hoshinoya Karuizawa is embraced by the valley terrain and rich nature at the foot of Mount Asama, offering a tranquil landscape based on the concept of "In Praise of Shadows." Along the clear stream that flows near the inn, for a limited period in summer, the fantastical lights of countless fireflies gently illuminate the surroundings. The sound of the stream, the scent of the grass and trees, and the light of the fireflies floating in the dark night. You can spend a peaceful time that quietly reminds you of Japan's primordial scenery.
Dates: July 1 - July 31 *There may be days when viewing is not possible depending on the firefly flight conditions.
Time: From 5:30 PM
Fee: Free
Reservation: Not required (https://hoshinoresorts.com/ja/hotels/hoshinoyakaruizawa/activities/)
Note: The firefly viewing location will be provided at check-in. Canceled in case of rain.
■ "Terraced Field Bar Lounge" - Enveloped in a Magical Night View and the Sounds of Nature
Night at the "Terraced Field Bar Lounge"
"Karuizawa Aromatic Wood Shaved Ice"
The "Terraced Field Bar Lounge," which surrounds the terraced fields, is a special seating area with 28 seats integrated with the iconic landscape of Hoshinoya Karuizawa. Unlike the daytime, the terraced fields at night are enveloped in a fantastical atmosphere by the lighting. We offer shaved ice made with tree syrups, such as the "Karuizawa Aromatic Wood Shaved Ice" and "White Birch Shaved Ice," based on the concept of "eating the scent of the forest," as well as Japanese sake. You can enjoy a cool summer night while listening to the pleasant melody played by nature, such as the sound of water, the chirping of insects that echoes in the quiet of the night, and the sound of the wind rustling the trees.
Dates: July 1 - August 31
Time: From 8:00 PM
Fee: Shaved ice from 2,700 JPY each (tax and service charge included, accommodation fee separate)
Reservation: Required on the official website by 8:00 PM on the day (https://hoshinoresorts.com/ja/hotels/hoshinoyakaruizawa/activities/)
Note: Contents and ingredients may be partially changed depending on availability.
■ "Forest Anniversary Plan" - An Exclusive Seat in the Forest and Water
A moment in a private space surrounded by forest and water
Exterior of Mori no Hotori Cafe & Bar
We offer an anniversary plan that allows one group per day to exclusively reserve the "Mori no Hotori Cafe & Bar," which stands in the tranquil forest. In the midst of fantastical nature, you can spend a moment that will be etched in your memory, sharing an experience of decorating a cake with your loved one and writing your thoughts on traditional "Uchiyama paper" (*4). The message you write will be provided as an original album along with a commemorative photo from the day. It is a plan where you can spend a blissful night deepening your bond with your loved one in an extraordinary space where the breath of the forest and the babbling of the stream are pleasant.
*4 Uchiyama paper
Dates: July 1 - August 31
Time: From 9:00 PM
Fee: 24,200 JPY per group (tax and service charge included, accommodation fee separate)
Includes: Private use of Mori no Hotori Cafe & Bar, original cake, champagne, commemorative photo album
Reservation: Required on the official website at least 7 days in advance (https://hoshinoresorts.com/ja/hotels/hoshinoyakaruizawa/activities/)
[Hoshinoya Karuizawa's Environmental Architecture]
The guest rooms at Hoshinoya Karuizawa have a small roof called "Furo" on top of the main roof. This serves as a vent to take in outside air from the ceiling, promoting indoor air circulation by exhausting warm air and drawing in cool outside air. It functions as a "natural air conditioner" that adjusts the room temperature by utilizing the natural flow of wind, an architectural design aimed at maintaining a comfortable space without relying excessively on air conditioning equipment.
The "Furo" attached to the building's roof and its mechanism
■ Hoshinoya Karuizawa
Stay in a village in the valley. The detached guest rooms surround the water, and you can feel the changing of the seasons from the room's terrace. It is a residential-style accommodation where you can enjoy a relaxing time in a rich natural environment facing the "Karuizawa Wild Bird Sanctuary."
Location: Hoshino, Karuizawa-machi, Nagano 389-0194
Phone: 050-3134-8091 (Hoshinoya General Reservations)
Number of rooms: 77 ・ Check-in: 15:00 / Check-out: 12:00
Price: From 170,000 JPY per night (per room, tax and service charge included, meals separate)
Access: About 15 minutes by car from JR Karuizawa Station, about 40 minutes by car from Usui-Karuizawa IC, dedicated shuttle bus available from Shinano Railway Naka-Karuizawa Station
Opening date: July 20, 2005
URL: https://hoshinoresorts.com/ja/hotels/hoshinoyakaruizawa/