Hotel
Kusatsu, Karuizawa & the Japan Alps
KAI Kusatsu
A hot spring ryokan opening in June 2026 at Kusatsu Onsen, Gunma, linked by a private tunnel to the town's historic bathing district.
Price on request
Hotel · Hakuba, Japan
KAI Alps
A hot spring ryokan at the foot of the Japanese Alps in Omachi, Nagano, with a stream through the courtyard and sunken hearths for grilling.
Overview
KAI Alps sits at the foot of the Japanese Alps in Omachi, within the Hakuba/Omachi Onsen area of Nagano. A stream runs through the courtyard, and sunken hearths, known as irori, are used for grilling food on site. The ryokan has 48 rooms, with occupancy for one to four guests.
The common baths draw on the waters of Kuzu Hot Spring, with the mountains and a forest of Japanese larches visible from the water. Dinner follows a kaiseki format, including a sashimi course seasoned with a range of condiments; the signature dish is a sukiyaki called the Snow Pot, topped with cotton candy that dissolves into the broth once it is poured. Breakfast reflects Omachi's position on the historic Salt Road trade route, pairing a mushroom-based miso soup with Shiomaru Squid, a dish devised to preserve seafood carried inland; a Western-style alternative is offered, except from 1 to 3 January. KAI Signature Rooms are furnished with artwork by a local kiri-e papercutting artist and floor lanterns made from Matsusaki washi paper.
For winter visitors, the ryokan has a Ski Dry Room for wet gear and boots, a WAX BAR for board maintenance, and a Mountain lounge set aside for KAI Alps guests within Escal Plaza at ABLE Hakuba Goryu Ski Resort. A complimentary shuttle runs between the ryokan and the Hakuba Goryu resort, with a paid shuttle from Nagano Station available during winter. Massage treatments are given by nationally certified practitioners. The property is roughly 15 minutes by car from JR Shinano-Omachi Station.
- Rooms
- 48
- Minimum stay
- 1 night
- Check in
- 15:00
- Check out
- 12:00
Why we like it
- 48 rooms at a hot spring ryokan in Omachi, Nagano, for one to four guests
- Common baths fed by Kuzu Hot Spring with views of the Japanese Alps and a larch forest
- Dinner's signature dish is a sukiyaki topped with cotton candy that dissolves into the broth
- KAI Signature Rooms feature artwork by a local kiri-e papercutting artist and washi-paper floor lanterns
- A dedicated Ski Dry Room and WAX BAR serve guests skiing at nearby Hakuba resorts
Gallery
Rooms & suites
Categories shown for orientation. Your travel advisor will confirm which are available for your dates and recommend the one that suits the trip.
KAI Signature Rooms
Rooms furnished with artwork crafted by a local kiri-e papercutting artist and floor lanterns made from local Matsusaki washi paper, offering a closer look at the region's craft traditions.
Up to 2 guests
Amenities
- Restaurant
- Café/Lounge
- Spa/Massage
- Playroom
- Pool
- Onsen
- Public bath
- Meeting Room
- Ski Dry Room
- Mountain lounge
- EV charging
- Free Wi-Fi
Reserving through us
Included when your travel advisor confirms this stay
- Daily breakfast for two
- Room upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
- Property credit or equivalent where the house offers one
- Early check in and late check out on request
- Welcome amenity and your travel agent known to the general manager
Eligible preferred amenities are applied wherever available, subject to the property at the time of stay, and are confirmed in your proposal.
Location
Hakuba, Japan
Mountain towns an hour from Tokyo by bullet train, onsen in the forest and the Alps behind.
Questions
- How many rooms does KAI Alps have?
- KAI Alps has 48 rooms, each accommodating between one and four guests.
- What is the signature dish at dinner?
- The kaiseki dinner's highlight is a sukiyaki called the Snow Pot, topped with cotton candy that dissolves into the broth once it is poured, evoking the region's spring snowmelt.
- Is there access to ski resorts from the ryokan?
- Yes. KAI Alps offers a Ski Dry Room and WAX BAR for gear, plus a complimentary shuttle to ABLE Hakuba Goryu Ski Resort, where a Mountain lounge is reserved for KAI Alps guests within Escal Plaza.
- Can vegetarian guests be accommodated?
- Yes. KAI offers a vegetarian kaiseki dinner and a vegetarian breakfast, both free of the eight major allergens, with requests to be made in advance.
- How far is KAI Alps from the nearest train station?
- The property is approximately 15 minutes by car from JR Shinano-Omachi Station.
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