Hoshino Resort Kai Nikko Is a Quaint Inn on Chuzenji Lake

Hoshino Resort Kai Nikko Is a Quaint Inn on Chuzenji Lake
Natureboy
Natureboy 
Published
| 4 min read

If you go up the road which used to be known as the road of the gods, Irohazaka, you arrive at Chuzenji Lake which shows a different face every season. Hoshino Resort Kai Nikko is situated right in front of this spectacular view. First impressions are that it is a hidden gem, exuding traditional Japanese luxury for a mature crowd. One step inside and you will find a very comforting hospitality.

Hoshino Resort Kai Nikko a luxurious traditional Japanese secluded inn

hoshino resort kai nikko is a quaint inn on chuzenji lake | hoshino resort kai nikko a luxurious traditional japanese secluded inn

From the middle of the Meiji Period until early Showa Period many a foreigner and ambassador have built summer homes here, and in the summer the Nantaisan Yacht Club holds their yacht races every weekend at Chuzenji Lake. Such elegant scenery hasn’t changed from long ago. An Italian ambassador once said “this is the world’s best view” about this scenery. On a hillside on the shores of Chuzenji Lake stands Hoshino Resort Kai Nikko and was built to retain Japanese tradition as much as possible.

The view at Hoshino Resort Kai Nikko deserves writing about

hoshino resort kai nikko is a quaint inn on chuzenji lake | the view at hoshino resort kai nikko deserves writing about

Every one of the 33 rooms is over a spacious 60sqm in size and every one has a view of Chuzenji Lake and Nantaisan. With facilities like western rooms in a guest room, a corner room overlooking Mt. Nantaisan, tatami halls that feel wonderful on bare feet, an after bath cooling area, a hallway overlooking a traditiona garden, or the bath house built from marble and Cyprus the facilities here are referred to as the back room of Nikko Tosho-gu Shrine

The view from the comfortable travel library and lobby that every guest rests at is spectacular.

In front is the surface of Chuzenji Lake which is 1269m above sea level, and from the right to left is Nantaisan (2486m), Mt. Maeshiranesan (2373m), Mt. Okushiranesan (2578m), Mt. Takayama (1668m), Mt. Shakujogadake (2388m), and after Senjugahama is Mt. Shukudoubousan (1968m) so you can see the mountains of Nikko and Chuzenji Lake all at once.

Also only a 10 minute walk from the inn you can feast your eyes on one of the top 3 waterfalls of Japan Kegon waterfall, which is fed by Chuzenji Lake and falls from a height of 97m. This waterfall is stunning year round.

The specialty room at Hoshino Resort Kai Nikko is the Kanumakumiko no Heya

hoshino resort kai nikko is a quaint inn on chuzenji lake | the specialty room at hoshino resort kai nikko is the kanumakumiko no heya

At the end of the luxurious tatami hallway all rooms are built with large windows that overlook Chuzenji Lake and Mt. Nantaisan. The large suite room is over 125sqm in area and has a Cyprus bath and private sauna attached to it. With a comfortable spaciousness and recommended for a family are the mountain side rooms where you can get in touch with Nikko’s natural beauty easily.

Also at Hoshino Resort Kai there is one special concept room which is built with traditional local art. The local specialty room uses what is called Kanumakumiko a style of wood lattice work throughout the room and is made to fit modern lifestyles. This room is only available 1 day at a time and is only available through internet reservation.

Nikko Geta Dangi a taste of local tradition from Hoshino Resort Kai Nikko

hoshino resort kai nikko is a quaint inn on chuzenji lake | nikko geta dangi a taste of local tradition from hoshino resort kai nikko

“Gotochigaku” is a form of hospitality for Hoshino Resort Kai to showcase the beauty of special local traditions. At Hoshino Resort Kai Nikko they introduce in a story the traditional artisanal craft of Nikkogeta (Nikko clogs) which has a 400 year old history and the allure of them.

Nikkogeta originated in the Edo period. There were many restrictions on who could enter the temple and shrine grounds based on social status. One way they restricted people was by footwear and woven sandals were worn as a practice. Starting with Nikko Tosho-gu Shrine many of the temples and shrines were built out of stone and in the winter snow it was hard to walk up the roads and hills in the woven sandals. Because of this the Gomengeta, a wooden clog to be worn under the woven sandal was thought up. This is the start of the Nikkogeta.

Hoshino Resort Kai Nikko lets you experience Nikko from the ground up literally. There is even a free rental of Nikkogeta so you can borrow the pair that fit you best to head out to the famous waterfall or explore around Chuzenji Lake.

The whole building is full of subdued luxury

Passing through the courtyard garden corridor you come to the dining hall with semi-private rooms that are very modern in design. Hoshino Resort Kai Nikko’s dinner is Japanese Kaiseki food, starting with Nikkoyuba served on a beautifully carved bowl, seasonal dishes served on a plate called Hassun, sashimi, and a main dish of steamed beef served in a Ooyaishi stone bowl., bringing out the natural sweetness and umami of the ingredients.

At the travel library next to the lobby you can choose a tea set you like and have some coffee. Here you can plan out your sightseeing adventure with the guidebooks about Tochigi that were carefully selected by the staff. Or you can just watch the sun setting over Chuzenji Lake.

To wrap things up about Hoshino Resort Kai Nikko Any onsen inn from the Hoshino Resort group that has the term Kai attached to it is an inn that is very traditional yet comfortable. You can really get in touch with the beauty of that area at these inns. There are many beautiful sites to visit around Hoshino Resort Kai Niko. Of course there is Nikko Tosho-gu Shrine, Chuzenji and other temple you can visit but there is also Kegon waterfall, Senjogahara, and Ryūzu Falls all famously beautiful spots of Nikko as well. Hoshino Resort Kai Nikko is definitely a great place to stay when visiting Nikko.

Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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