As I mentioned last week in this post, I stayed in five hotels during my two weeks in Japan. I would not hesitate to stay in each hotel again if I had the same itinerary on a future trip. But one hotel definitely stood out to me – Hoshino Resorts KAI Nikko. The hotel is on Lake Chuzenji, which is about a three-hour train+bus trip from Tokyo. It’s a hot spring ryokan which means that it has traditional hot spring baths and the rooms are traditional Japanese, meaning rooms with tatami mats and rice paper screens. Rooms have lake and mountain views with lovely sitting areas, dressing areas, and cedar-lined bathrooms. This place was special.

I stayed at KAI Nikko for two nights and I included breakfasts and dinners in my hotel package when I booked it. It was a good decision to do this because I was spoiled with beautiful and delicious meals, and I was able to meet so many of the hotel staff. Most of the staff spoke perfect English, and their attention to service and detail did not go unnoticed.

Each of KAI Nikko’s spacious rooms (there are only 33) incorporates regional crafts, a yukata and sash for guests to wear at the hotel (along with socks and sandals), and a pretty furoshiki (cloth) for carrying small belongings.

Here’s a quick video I made of my KAI Nikko room.

When I go back to Japan one day, I’m going to see if there are other KAI resorts I would like to visit. I have a feeling that each one is unique and has something spectacular to offer its guests. They also seem to be in locations that are just slightly away from the routes of many tourists.

If you’d like to see more of my trip to Japan, check out #WhiteCabanaGoesTo Japan or read these blog posts.