With the popularity of its amazing natural landscapes, the magnificence of its esteemed shrines and temples, mouthwatering cuisine, and the healing waters of its hot springs, it's no wonder why so many luxurious accommodations have decided to call Tochigi Prefecture their home. From one of the most respected luxury hotel brands in the world to secluded yet elegant traditional accommodations, Tochigi Prefecture beckons to anyone wishing to experience the pinnacle of Japanese "omotenashi" hospitality. Whether it is a luxury hotel with a picturesque lakeside view, relaxing in the healing geothermal waters of the historic Kinugawa Onsen hot springs, staying in a registered National Tangible Cultural Property that preserves the traditions of Japanese-style houses while pursuing comfort, or having a Japanese dinner using the freshest local ingredients, Tochigi Prefecture offers many luxurious one-of-a-kind locations to spend an evening or two while soaking in the local culture.
The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko
Located immediately adjacent to the shores of azure-blue Lake Chuzenji, The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko is a relative newcomer to Tochigi Prefecture. Having first opened its doors in the summer of 2020, The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko offers 94 guest and suite rooms, each with its own private balcony and ceiling-to-floor windows. The views from these spacious rooms vary depending on the direction, but they are divided into three categories: Riverside Garden View, Mount Nantai View, and Lake Chuzenji View. Guest rooms are equipped with either one king-sized bed or two double beds.
The property itself has been crafted to embody the essence of Japanese minimalism. Drawing inspiration from traditional landscape architecture, various elements of the design reflect a commitment to simplicity and minimalist aesthetics. With the picturesque backdrop of Lake Chuzenji and Mount Nantai, the hotel seemingly evokes the concept of borrowed scenery, known as "shakei" in Japanese architectural tradition. Furthermore, walking outside on the hotel grounds invites the comparison to strolling through a landscape garden. There is even a Zen-style rock garden on the premises to further increase the palpable sense of mindfulness that permeates every corner.
The services available at The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko, are second to none. From extensive indoor and outdoor onsen hot-spring facilities to a spa that features uniquely Japanese treatment programs, The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko, offers a multitude of ways to relax and rejuvenate during your stay. There are also four luxury dining options available on-site. The Japanese Restaurant by The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko, is open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, serving Japanese cuisine, while Lakehouse is open for lunch and dinner, offering Western-style food. The Lobby Lounge, a perfect place for afternoon tea, is open from 11 am to 5 pm daily, while The Bar serves expertly crafted cocktails every day from 4 pm to 10 pm.
In addition to the services available on-site, there are also several local experiences that are possible to arrange during your stay. The coming of spring brings with it the possibility of experiencing the majesty of budding trees and the newfound warmth of the season through either a cycling or walking tour, while the summer season is the perfect opportunity to learn fly fishing with a local expert. The mesmerizing golden and amber hues of the fall foliage can be enjoyed either atop a paddleboard floating on Lake Chuzenji or by whistling through the wind as you travel through the wilderness on a cycling tour. Finally, the frigid air and heavy snow of winter make it the perfect time to experience fresh powder snow of Oku-Nikko either by backcountry cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snow cycling, or sledding.
There is also a year-round Zazen meditation experience available at the hotel, with a monk coming from the nearby historical Chuzenji Temple. After refreshing your body and mind with a zazen meditation session, another program available at Chuzenji Temple itself, where the monk or temple staff will lead you through the halls of the temple adorned with historic carvings, paintings, and priceless historical artifacts. Next is either a fire ceremony at Chuzenji Temple or traditional Kagura dance performance performed at Nikko Futarasan Chugushi Shrine before returning to the hotel to learn from the hands of an expert craftsman in the art of Nikko-bori woodcarving.
Kinugawa Grand Hotel Yumenotoki
Kinugawa Onsen is a well-known hot spring resort in the Kanto region, located in Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture, with the backdrop a beautiful valley. It is a fantastic base for visiting the World Heritage Sites of Nikko Toshogu Shrine, Nikko Futaarasan Shrine, and Nikko Rinnoji Temple. There are also theme parks for both children and adults to enjoy in the area, such as Nikko Edomura and Tobu World Square.
The Kinugawa Grand Hotel Yumenotoki boasts a wonderful Japanese garden that offers striking seasonal beauty and illuminations at night. The hotel’s facilities also include a Blooming Spa Kaika with a theme inspired by flowers and nature, a stretch room for health promotion, and a free lounge for luxurious moments, catering to families, friends, and wealthy individuals.
There are two sections of the hotel: the main building and the annex building Seiryu, each offering several room categories ranging from standard to luxury types. These include Japanese-style rooms with futons on tatami mats, Japanese-style rooms with tatami mats and twin beds, and other special rooms over 100 square meters in size. With views of the surrounding mountains and a Japanese garden on the premises, guests can immerse themselves in the natural beauty of Kinugawa Onsen.
The hotel features three onsite dining options: Yamashina, a ryotei restaurant offering authentic seasonal kaiseki cuisine; Wakana, a Japanese-style dining area where you can enjoy live Kyoto-style cuisine; and L'Amusant, a Western-style Japanese restaurant where you can enjoy conversation, drinks, and cuisine prepared with care using a wide variety of seasonal and local ingredients.
The large communal baths, "Kinu no Toride" and "Kinu no Yume," offer various types of open-air baths and saunas, and after the baths switch between the sexes, you can enjoy a total of nine different types of hot spring water. Furthermore, there are also five private open-air baths known as "Kaku Renbo" available for rent. Here, you can enjoy the warm scents of the hot spring water from the source in a private and luxurious space.
Nasu Bettei Kai
The scenic and majestic woodlands of Nasu Onsen were selected in the early 1900s as the location for one of the Japanese imperial family’s royal villas. Completed in 1926, the Nasu Imperial Villa, or the Nasu Goyotei in Japanese, brought with it an air of elegance and sophistication to the Nasu Onsen area, with other luxury accommodations soon being erected to complement the regal Nasu Imperial Villa. Among those ryokan was Sansuikaku, a traditional luxury Japanese establishment that has welcomed guests since the 1930s. However, our focus today is on Nasu Bettei Kai, the sister ryokan of Sansuikaku, which was recently renovated and reopened in October 2023, with every room being a suite.
Nasu Bettei Kai has only 10 spacious guest rooms on a vast site while each fitted with a private hot spring, allowing guests the opportunity to indulge in the healing waters of the area in the privacy of their own room. Meticulous attention to design, coupled with a deep connection to the local culture and businesses, is evident throughout the entire property, creating a sublime atmosphere down to the smallest detail.
After passing through an elegant garden, you will enter your room, where you can discover the charms of the local area present in every corner. The wallpaper used is made of "Karasuyama Washi," a unique variety of washi paper with a long history, while the living room is furnished with a leather sofa made of high-quality "Tochigi leather," known for being the result of innovative processing methods. The practical and unique interior design of each room is the combined work of many young artists handpicked by the owner of the ryokan. The owner's commitment to encouraging the talents of the local community is evident in every space, allowing patrons to immerse themselves in the richness of the local culture to their hearts' content.
One of the highlights of staying at Nasu Bettei Kai is the opportunity to savor the rich and natural flavors of the seasonal dishes on offer. The multi-course "Yamazato Kaiseki" dinner combines the freshest local ingredients to create a refined yet subtle masterpiece of the culinary arts. It is also possible to experience the extraordinary marbled beef of the rare and heralded Nasu Kuroge Wagyu cattle. They also have a charcoal grill and serve freshly grilled meat and freshwater fish. For breakfast, freshly cooked local rice, regional vegetables, and homemade miso soup will be the start to your day as you gaze out upon the lush forests found outside the windows.
Iizukatei
Tucked away in the small town of Nakagawa-machi is a special accommodation that seems to have been pulled from Japan’s feudal past into the modern day—the historic monument renovation hotel, Iizukatei.
The buildings renovated to make up the six guest rooms of Iizukatei have been designated as a National Tangible Cultural Property by the Japanese government, with the oldest of these structures dating back 200 years to the Edo period. The structures found on the grounds of Iizukatei were originally built by the family that served as the head of the village. The main building, known as Hontaku, would have been the residence of the Iizuka family, while the other buildings on the premises served as either annexes or storehouses.
While renovating the Iizuka residence, the concept was to preserve as much as possible of the original design and materials of the structure while updating it to be furnished with the latest modern amenities. That is why you can still see Tochigi Prefecture’s famous local Oya stone used in the construction of the hotel, as well as much of the structure keeping with the architectural style known as shoin-zukuri.
Each of the six guest rooms contains a living room, kitchen, bathroom, and a bedroom with twin semi-double beds. While there is a kitchen in every room, breakfast and dinner can be delivered directly to your room every day by the staff if you wish, with both a western and Japanese option available for each. There is also a vegan meal available upon request. If you prefer to go out for dinner, there are restaurants located nearby that serve a wide selection of local favorites.
Guests at Iizukatei have the exclusive opportunity to book immersive local experiences in the charming town of Nakagawa-machi. For outdoor enthusiasts seeking an adventure, Iizukatei carries five electric-assist bicycles that are available to rent free of charge for hotel guests. Riders can enjoy nature traversing the picturesque rice fields and quaint backroads of Nakagawa-machi, with one stop along the way allowing ample time to savor some local craft beer. For those with a passion for unique food experiences, a private dinner at the residence of a local farmer allows you to immerse yourself in a local gastronomic journey as the farmer will prepare a sumptuous feast using locally sourced ingredients. It's a unique and unforgettable way to savor the authentic flavors of Nakagawa-machi.
With an eclectic variety of unique and luxurious places to stay in Tochigi Prefecture, it ensures that that every travel experience is conceivable to this enchanting corner of Japan. Whether you fancy the understated and refined luxury of The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko, the transformation of history into sophisticated modern accommodations, or the abundant nature surrounding Nasu Bettei Kai and Kinugawa Grand Hotel Yumenotoki, you'll always find top-tier Japanese "omotenashi" hospitality and lavish amenities just a stone's throw away from Tochigi Prefecture's must-visit attractions.
Trip Type: Wellness/Accommodation
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