Karuizawa Hoshino Area x Shinano Railway Launch First-Ever Year-Round Collaboration! "A Cruise of Fine Dining Through the Four Seasons" Begins on Tourist Train "Rokumon"
Hoshino Resorts Karuizawa Hoshino Area and the Shinano Railway are launching their first-ever year-round collaboration, "A Cruise of Fine Dining Through the Four Seasons," on the "Rokumon" tourist train. The first event on May 31, 2026, will feature French cuisine from Karuizawa Hotel Bleston Court, with different Hoshino Area facilities producing unique dining experiences for subsequent seasons. This initiative aims to promote regional revitalization by combining the resources of both entities to offer new ways to enjoy travel in the Shinshu and Karuizawa area.
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The Shinano Railway tourist train "Rokumon" runs with the majestic Mount Asama in the background.
The first-ever year-round collaboration, "A Cruise of Fine Dining Through the Four Seasons," by Hoshino Resorts Karuizawa Hoshino Area (hereafter Hoshino Area) and the Shinano Railway's tourist train "Rokumon" is launching. This is a special initiative where various facilities within the area will produce the food for each season, adding color to the journey through Shinshu. The first installment, the spring edition running on May 31, 2026, will be handled by "Karuizawa Hotel Bleston Court." It will offer splendid French cuisine inspired by fresh green foliage onboard the train. Taking the opportunity of the "Rokumon" tourist train's operation, the Hoshino Area and Shinano Railway will strengthen their collaboration in various fields and promote initiatives for regional revitalization.
Background
This project is a collaboration between the Hoshino Area, which has a history of over 100 years in Karuizawa, and the Shinano Railway, which supports the daily life and tourism of the region, to widely disseminate the charms of Shinshu and the Karuizawa area. As forms of tourism diversify, by combining the resources of both parties, they will propose new ways to enjoy travel and promote regional revitalization.
Feature 1: First-ever year-round collaboration by two parties who know the charms of Karuizawa inside and out
This is the first time the Hoshino Area will be producing the "food" aspect throughout the year. By combining the "Rokumon," beloved as Shinano Railway's "train packed with regional charm," with the Hoshino Area's fine dining experiences, they will broadcast a new appeal for Shinshu tourism as "A Cruise of Fine Dining Through the Four Seasons."
Feature 2: The first installment on May 31st is fresh green French cuisine presented by "Karuizawa Hotel Bleston Court"
The start of the journey is orchestrated by appetizers featuring the world's three great delicacies and unique Shinshu ingredients. The main course is a carefully and slowly prepared poached beef fillet.
The first installment, the spring edition, is French cuisine from "Karuizawa Hotel Bleston Court," which continues to pursue fine dining in the Karuizawa area. Appetizers combine the world's three great delicacies, including caviar, with unique Shinshu ingredients, and the main course is a beef fillet poché (*), which locks in flavor by cooking at a low temperature. The vividly colored dessert, which blends with the scenery from the train window, brings a lingering aftertaste that makes you regret reaching the destination. The luxurious and splendid dishes, reminiscent of a banquet, adorn the special, extraordinary occasion of a journey.
* A cooking method of heating slowly in a low-temperature liquid.
Feature 3: Hoshino Area's dining experiences change with the seasons
Harunire Terrace Cercle's Highland Bounty Morning BOX. Sonmin Shokudo's local Shinshu sake and à la carte dishes.
This is not a one-time event; different facilities in the Hoshino Area are scheduled to take charge of presenting the charms of each of the four seasons. They will offer a variety of fine dining experiences, from casual meals to Japanese cuisine that pairs well with sake, allowing visitors to discover new charms of Shinshu with each visit. Details for summer and beyond are scheduled to be announced with the arrival of the seasons.
Karuizawa Hotel Bleston Court
Meaning "Garden of Bliss," it is a resort hotel surrounded by a grove of trees, standing on a small hill. Celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2025 since its opening in 1995, the hotel values high-quality hospitality cultivated in Karuizawa's culture of welcoming guests. It offers a stay where you can relax both mind and body while feeling the blessings of Karuizawa, with stays in independent cottage rooms, breakfast in the morning light, and fine dining at the main dining "Yukawatan."
Karuizawa Hoshino Area
It is an area where nature and culture breathe, which began with the opening of the Hoshino Onsen Ryokan in 1914. Unique accommodation facilities are scattered throughout, including "Hoshinoya Karuizawa," where you stay in a village in the valley, "Karuizawa Hotel Bleston Court," which stands out for its fine dining, and "BEB5 Karuizawa by Hoshino Resorts," a hotel for spending a relaxed time with friends. A variety of dining experiences are available, such as meals at "Harunire Terrace" and "Sonmin Shokudo" along the clear stream, and "Gibier of Water" presented by the standalone restaurant "Bleston Court Yukawatan" nestled in the forest. It is a resort-style destination where rich time flows throughout the four seasons, with the free-flowing hot spring "Tombo-no-yu" and forest guidance by the nature guides "Picchio."
Shinano Railway Tourist Train "Rokumon"
It began operation in 2014 as a "train packed with regional charm." It travels slowly for about 2 hours between Karuizawa Station and Nagano Station on the Shinano Railway line, with views of the majestic Mount Asama. It features a warm, wooden design by Eiji Mitooka, who has designed many tourist trains, using plenty of Nagano Prefecture timber, and a carriage design inspired by the Sanada clan's "akazonae" (red armor).
【Overview】A Cruise of Fine Dining Through the Four Seasons, Spring Edition: Fresh Green French Cuisine by Karuizawa Hotel Bleston Court
Operation Date: Sunday, May 31, 2026
Route: Depart Karuizawa 12:25 → Yashiro → Arrive Karuizawa 15:48
■ Rokumonsen Sasuke Course: A standard plan to fully enjoy the fine dining of Shinshu
Capacity: 28 people
Price: 28,000 yen (per adult, tax included)
Contents:
French cuisine course from Karuizawa Hotel Bleston Court
Karuizawa Hotel Bleston Court's original non-alcoholic wine "Fraîcheur" (red/white)
Two glasses of paired wine to match the meal
Karuizawa Hotel Bleston Court's original Florentine "canutte"
■ Rokumonsen Yukimura Course: An upgrade plan with special experiences to satisfy the five senses and various perks
Capacity: 20 people
Price: 36,000 yen (per adult, tax included)
Contents:
Upgraded meal, drinks, and souvenirs
French cuisine course from Karuizawa Hotel Bleston Court (with upgraded dessert)
Karuizawa Hotel Bleston Court's original non-alcoholic wine "Fraîcheur" (red/white)
Three glasses of paired wine to match the meal
Karuizawa Hotel Bleston Court's original Florentine "canutte"
Karuizawa-bori (Karuizawa carving) chopstick rest
Special Experience & Space:
Traditional Craft Experience: Karuizawa-bori carving experience by Osakaya Furniture Store
Exclusive Lounge Access: Food & drink service at the "Rokumon Lounge" in the old Karuizawa station building
Reservations: From the official website of the Shinano Railway tourist train "Rokumon" https://rokumon-yoyaku.shinanorailway.co.jp/
The first-ever year-round collaboration, "A Cruise of Fine Dining Through the Four Seasons," by Hoshino Resorts Karuizawa Hoshino Area (hereafter Hoshino Area) and the Shinano Railway's tourist train "Rokumon" is launching. This is a special initiative where various facilities within the area will produce the food for each season, adding color to the journey through Shinshu. The first installment, the spring edition running on May 31, 2026, will be handled by "Karuizawa Hotel Bleston Court." It will offer splendid French cuisine inspired by fresh green foliage onboard the train. Taking the opportunity of the "Rokumon" tourist train's operation, the Hoshino Area and Shinano Railway will strengthen their collaboration in various fields and promote initiatives for regional revitalization.
Background
This project is a collaboration between the Hoshino Area, which has a history of over 100 years in Karuizawa, and the Shinano Railway, which supports the daily life and tourism of the region, to widely disseminate the charms of Shinshu and the Karuizawa area. As forms of tourism diversify, by combining the resources of both parties, they will propose new ways to enjoy travel and promote regional revitalization.
Feature 1: First-ever year-round collaboration by two parties who know the charms of Karuizawa inside and out
This is the first time the Hoshino Area will be producing the "food" aspect throughout the year. By combining the "Rokumon," beloved as Shinano Railway's "train packed with regional charm," with the Hoshino Area's fine dining experiences, they will broadcast a new appeal for Shinshu tourism as "A Cruise of Fine Dining Through the Four Seasons."
Feature 2: The first installment on May 31st is fresh green French cuisine presented by "Karuizawa Hotel Bleston Court"
The start of the journey is orchestrated by appetizers featuring the world's three great delicacies and unique Shinshu ingredients. The main course is a carefully and slowly prepared poached beef fillet.
The first installment, the spring edition, is French cuisine from "Karuizawa Hotel Bleston Court," which continues to pursue fine dining in the Karuizawa area. Appetizers combine the world's three great delicacies, including caviar, with unique Shinshu ingredients, and the main course is a beef fillet poché (*), which locks in flavor by cooking at a low temperature. The vividly colored dessert, which blends with the scenery from the train window, brings a lingering aftertaste that makes you regret reaching the destination. The luxurious and splendid dishes, reminiscent of a banquet, adorn the special, extraordinary occasion of a journey.
* A cooking method of heating slowly in a low-temperature liquid.
Feature 3: Hoshino Area's dining experiences change with the seasons
Harunire Terrace Cercle's Highland Bounty Morning BOX. Sonmin Shokudo's local Shinshu sake and à la carte dishes.
This is not a one-time event; different facilities in the Hoshino Area are scheduled to take charge of presenting the charms of each of the four seasons. They will offer a variety of fine dining experiences, from casual meals to Japanese cuisine that pairs well with sake, allowing visitors to discover new charms of Shinshu with each visit. Details for summer and beyond are scheduled to be announced with the arrival of the seasons.
Karuizawa Hotel Bleston Court
Meaning "Garden of Bliss," it is a resort hotel surrounded by a grove of trees, standing on a small hill. Celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2025 since its opening in 1995, the hotel values high-quality hospitality cultivated in Karuizawa's culture of welcoming guests. It offers a stay where you can relax both mind and body while feeling the blessings of Karuizawa, with stays in independent cottage rooms, breakfast in the morning light, and fine dining at the main dining "Yukawatan."
Karuizawa Hoshino Area
It is an area where nature and culture breathe, which began with the opening of the Hoshino Onsen Ryokan in 1914. Unique accommodation facilities are scattered throughout, including "Hoshinoya Karuizawa," where you stay in a village in the valley, "Karuizawa Hotel Bleston Court," which stands out for its fine dining, and "BEB5 Karuizawa by Hoshino Resorts," a hotel for spending a relaxed time with friends. A variety of dining experiences are available, such as meals at "Harunire Terrace" and "Sonmin Shokudo" along the clear stream, and "Gibier of Water" presented by the standalone restaurant "Bleston Court Yukawatan" nestled in the forest. It is a resort-style destination where rich time flows throughout the four seasons, with the free-flowing hot spring "Tombo-no-yu" and forest guidance by the nature guides "Picchio."
Shinano Railway Tourist Train "Rokumon"
It began operation in 2014 as a "train packed with regional charm." It travels slowly for about 2 hours between Karuizawa Station and Nagano Station on the Shinano Railway line, with views of the majestic Mount Asama. It features a warm, wooden design by Eiji Mitooka, who has designed many tourist trains, using plenty of Nagano Prefecture timber, and a carriage design inspired by the Sanada clan's "akazonae" (red armor).
【Overview】A Cruise of Fine Dining Through the Four Seasons, Spring Edition: Fresh Green French Cuisine by Karuizawa Hotel Bleston Court
Operation Date: Sunday, May 31, 2026
Route: Depart Karuizawa 12:25 → Yashiro → Arrive Karuizawa 15:48
■ Rokumonsen Sasuke Course: A standard plan to fully enjoy the fine dining of Shinshu
Capacity: 28 people
Price: 28,000 yen (per adult, tax included)
Contents:
French cuisine course from Karuizawa Hotel Bleston Court
Karuizawa Hotel Bleston Court's original non-alcoholic wine "Fraîcheur" (red/white)
Two glasses of paired wine to match the meal
Karuizawa Hotel Bleston Court's original Florentine "canutte"
■ Rokumonsen Yukimura Course: An upgrade plan with special experiences to satisfy the five senses and various perks
Capacity: 20 people
Price: 36,000 yen (per adult, tax included)
Contents:
Upgraded meal, drinks, and souvenirs
French cuisine course from Karuizawa Hotel Bleston Court (with upgraded dessert)
Karuizawa Hotel Bleston Court's original non-alcoholic wine "Fraîcheur" (red/white)
Three glasses of paired wine to match the meal
Karuizawa Hotel Bleston Court's original Florentine "canutte"
Karuizawa-bori (Karuizawa carving) chopstick rest
Special Experience & Space:
Traditional Craft Experience: Karuizawa-bori carving experience by Osakaya Furniture Store
Exclusive Lounge Access: Food & drink service at the "Rokumon Lounge" in the old Karuizawa station building
Reservations: From the official website of the Shinano Railway tourist train "Rokumon" https://rokumon-yoyaku.shinanorailway.co.jp/