The tiny city of Omachi (27,500 inhabitants) is just an hour’s drive from Nagano, host city of the 1998 Winter Olympics – but the two places are worlds apart in terms of atmosphere. While Nagano is a vibrant hub for the local area, rural Omachi has the feel of an authentic working town. Situated at 700 metres altitude, its streets are filled with cottage industries and small businesses that excel in traditional Japanese arts and cuisine. Many of these local companies offer hands-on workshops to guests. If you’re looking for an off-the-beaten track experience or you want genuine insights in ..read more

Looking for an insider’s take on Japan’s drinking culture? Perhaps you’d like to delve into the world of Japanese cocktails in the city of Asahikawa, famed for its prize-winning mixologists. Or how about comparing craft beers from microbreweries along Tokyo’s Yamanote Line? This summer, you can test both experiences thanks to special programs led by local guides at Hoshino Resorts’ OMO hotels. And, if you can’t make it this summer, staff can help you organize your own drinking-themed stay. There’s plenty to sample all year round! Original beer cocktails Asahikawa is the second biggest city o ..read more

What better setting than Mt. Fuji to experience Japan’s celebrated spring colours? Early season, you’ll wander through rows of flowering cherry blossom trees, with Lake Kawaguchi and Mt. Fuji as your backdrop. Late season, carpets of bright moss phlox bring new colour to the lakeside setting. And, at HOSHINOYA Fuji, you’ll be treated to seasonal cuisine using ingredients freshly gathered from the surrounding forests. You’ll also be able to sign up for a helicopter ride offering a bird’s eye view of the region. Cherry blossom promenade At HOSHINOYA Fuji, you’re guaranteed a picture-postcard v ..read more

You don’t need to be in Japan on Valentine’s Day to make a romantic gesture. This winter and spring, Hoshino Resorts is offering a number of unique opportunities for you to treat your other half. How about sipping sparkling sake on a private boat as you tour Tokyo’s cherry blossoms? Enjoying an intimate rosé experience in the wine region of Yamanashi? Or watching the sun set over a remote Okinawan island onboard a traditional sail boat? There’s something for every kind of romantic. Sakura sightseeing by rickshaw and private boat This spring, guests at HOSHINOYA Tokyo will not only enjoy a ..read more

Despite heavy snowfall and sub-zero temperatures, a wide range of fresh fruit flourishes in Japan’s winter months. Many native citrus trees are extremely hardy, their branches bearing bundles of snow-covered fruit. Strawberries are also strongly associated with winter, and Japan is home to some 300 different varieties! And many Japanese will tell you about the winter tradition of unpeeling mikan mandarins around a kotatsu heated table. Head to Japan in the winter and you’ll discover a world of fruit you may never have encountered. This year, Hoshino Resorts is organizing multiple ways to ma ..read more

Japan may be associated with green tea, but the Japanese are also one of the world’s leading importers of coffee. Whether your favourite brew is a dark espresso or a frothy macchiato, you’re never far from a coffee outlet. Vending machines sell it hot and cold, convenience stores sell it at all hours – and Japan is also home to some of the best and quirkiest coffee shops around. Discover our pick of where to go when you’re next in need of coffee in Japan! Coffee art in Tokyo Looking for a coffee experience with a difference? Japan’s capital is full of them! Stay at Hoshino Resorts OMO5 Toky ..read more

Looking for an agritourism stay in Japan? A hotel that embraces the local community and culture? Or a self-sustaining resort that respects the environment? At Hoshino Resorts, our ryokans have always been built in harmony with nature and in collaboration with the locals. Here are 6 reasons why you can have peace of mind when you stay with us. 1 – Powered by mountain rivers When our first resort opened in Karuizawa back in 1915, it was already generating hydropower using a wooden water wheel. That same site has since become HOSHINOYA Karuizawa, our luxury eco-resort in the foothills of the Ja ..read more

If you’re heading to Japan this winter, prepare your palate for some memorable epicurean moments. Seafood is a seasonal speciality, with the arrival of fatty fish and the highly-anticipated snow crab. In sub-tropical Okinawa, you’ll be treated to winter fare of a different variety: sweet kuruma prawns, succulent sweet potatoes and nuchigusa herbs. Or how about a seasonal fish hotpot accompanied by traditional sake? This winter, a number of Hoshino Resorts properties are offering gourmet experiences around seasonal dishes – from a 9-course Okinawan feast to a creative snow crab set menu. And ..read more

Winter is reputed as the best season to view Mt. Fuji. The cold, clear weather means you’re less likely to experience disappointing cloud cover and more than likely to see the peak submerged in snow. Don’t let the cold put you off: at HOSHINOYA Fuji, you’ll not only have first-rate views of the mountain from your room; you’ll also be able to take part in outdoor activities that make the most of the clear skies while keeping you snug and warm. Fuji unobscured When you’ve travelled thousands of miles to see Fuji, there’s no greater disappointment than finding it shrouded in cloud. In summer, t ..read more

Located in the north of Honshu, Hachinohe City is Aomori Prefecture’s second biggest city. Chances are you’ve never heard of it. Or, at best, it’s a place where you once changed trains. And yet, it has plenty to offer. You’d be hard pressed to find a better street food experience than the city’s extraordinary Tatehana Wharf Morning Market. Or to find a more varied and unspoiled coastal path than the beautiful Tanesashi Coast. On top of that, the city is known for its bustling nightlife and vast indoor fish market. Where better to experience urban Japan at its most authentic? Immersive stay G ..read more