Kai Alps is a hot spring resort located in Omachi Onsenkyo, Nagano Prefecture, with the concept of experiencing the luxurious countryside of Shinshu.
In addition to enjoying the bounty of nature’s hot springs, one of the charms of this hotel is that you can experience a nostalgic countryside lifestyle.
In this issue, we will introduce a model plan of how we recommend you spend your stay at Kai Alps.
- Those who would like to know what it was like to stay at Hoshino Resort Kai Alps
- Those who want to know the atmosphere of the facilities
- Those who want to know what it was like to actually stay at the hotel
Although the ryokan is conveniently located for sightseeing in the Alps, you do not need to go outside the facility to enjoy the ryokan, so spending a day relaxing inside the facility is also recommended.
How to spend at Hoshino Resort KAI Alps (Day1)
15:00 Check in at KAI ALPS
Check-in at Kai Alps begins at 15:00.
I arrived around 14:30 and was warmly welcomed by the staff.
I waited for a while on the sofa in front of the front desk as I was told that check-in would be ready when my room was ready.
They even offered us a drink from the travel library! This is a heartwarming and appreciated gesture.
The Travel Library not only has a wide selection of books on Shinshu’s history, culture, nature, and crafts, but also offers free drinks such as tea and coffee.
There are also spacious sofas that provide a relaxing atmosphere, so we recommend reading at your leisure over a cup of coffee or tea!
After that, it was time to check in, so we checked in and were guided to our rooms while receiving an explanation of the hotel.
The room we stayed in this time was a Japanese-style guest room with a loft.
The room was larger than I had imagined and was nice and cozy.
There are four beds available, so I would recommend staying with a family or group.
15:30 Deep country experience in a hearth (Oyaki)
After returning to your room and taking a rest, you will participate in the “Irori (hearth) for a deep country experience,” a local delicacy that is one of the best parts of your stay at Kai Alps.
Each hour, a variety of hospitality is prepared for you to enjoy the unique charms of Shinshu.
Black bean tea and oyaki were served from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. You will receive freshly steamed oyaki!
These services are included in the room rate, so there is no need to pay extra.
I felt like I was getting something for my money.
The conversation with the staff was pleasant, and I was able to have a valuable countryside experience that I would not have had in my daily life!
16:00 Hot spring (Large bath)
Before dinner, we went to the hot spring which is the pride of the Kaike brand.
There are indoor and outdoor baths, but we especially recommend the outdoor bath.
It is the ultimate in happiness to be able to enjoy the bountiful hot spring water while gazing at the mountains of the Alps.
After soaking in the hot spring, we had local tea, drinks, and popsicles at the after-bath area to cool down our hot body.
I was able to spend a relaxing moment in the cozy space.
Don’t tell anyone that I almost fell asleep because it was so comfortable.
I had some time before dinner, so we walked around the garden and stopped by the travel library to relax. The occasional autumn breeze was pleasant.
17:30 Dinner (Seasonal Kaiseki)
The dinner time you have been waiting for.
You can choose between 5:30pm and 7:30pm for dinner.
The dining room is semi-private, so we were able to enjoy our meal in a relaxed atmosphere without worrying about our surroundings.
You can read more about the meal in this article.
19:30 Deep country experience in the hearth (heated sake)
Local raku is recommended for a smoke after a meal or a soak in the hot spring. Sake can be heated in the sunken hearth.
A great service for sake lovers! We were even able to have another glass of heated sake.
20:00 Hot spring (Large bath, 2rd）
We went to the hot spring again to enjoy the hot spring at night. On a clear day, one can see the stars from the open-air baths.
Unfortunately, the clouds were too thick that day to see the stars, but the open-air bath with the night breeze was exceptional.
After relaxing in the bathhouse, we took a walk in the garden at night to cool down our burning bodies.
The night breeze was pleasant and quite relaxing. I feel the end of summer.
After returning to the room and having a good time with the family, we get into our soft beds and go to sleep.
How to spend at Hoshino Resort KAI Alps (Day2)
06:15 Alps Gymnastics
The morning activity is an original exercise at Kai Alps, inspired by trekking.
It will be held near the benches in the garden. Breathing in the clean air as much as you can, it is a refreshing way to start the day!
06:30 “Wake-up rice gruel” a luxury for early risers
The local delicacy during the morning hours (6:30 to 7:00) is “Okame-gayu” (rice gruel).
The gentle taste of porridge cooked in a kamado is delicious and warms the heart.
We recommend that you move directly to the “wake-up gruel” after the Alps Gymnastics! Eating porridge after exercising is an ideal morning activity.
07:00 Hot spring (Large bath, 3rd）
Since we had come all this way, we wanted to enjoy the morning bath, so we went to the hot spring before breakfast.
It was great to take a bath in the hot spring while looking at the Alps in the fresh morning air!
By the way, bath towels are available in the changing room of the hot spring, so you can use a new towel every time.
It is a small detail, but this kind of service is one of the wonderful things about Hoshino Resort.
08:30 Breakfast
The breakfast room is the same semi-private dining room as for dinner.
A healthy and wholesome breakfast menu that incorporates local ingredients.
For more details, please refer to this article if you are interested!
12:00 Check out
Check-out time is 12:00. You will spend a relaxing time in your room until the check-out time. The view of the Alps and nature healed me throughout my stay!
Summary: Let’s go to Hoshino Resorts Kai Alps!
What did you think of Hoshino Resort Kai Alps, an onsen ryokan themed on the luxurious countryside of Shinshu?
Eating oyaki around the hearth, sipping porridge for wake-up, drinking heated sake while chatting… it was a long, quiet, and relaxing time that was perfect for the luxurious countryside of Shinshu.
Many of the meals and activities are prepared in a healthy and healthful manner, so I recommend them to those who want to rest and refresh their bodies.
Since I was able to fully enjoy myself at Kai Alps, I recommend that you spend your time just relaxing your body with high-quality hot springs and gentle meals, instead of making plans for sightseeing.
I hope this has been helpful to as many people as possible!