The next morning at Hoshinoya Kyoto, I was awoken to a tapping at my door. A young Japanese woman quietly entered with a large bag over her shoulder (it sort of looked like an extra extra large pizza delivery box warmer). She set up the most beautiful American breakfast for me as I watched the water pass by my window. I had a full day of Japanese activities. I met with Yoko and we made our own incense, we made Japanese paper using the traditional Japanese block printing technique. We finished with a lovely Japanese tea ceremony. I found these activities to calm, center, and relax me. The Japanese culture is truly intricate and calls for focused attention.
At check out time, I was whisked off to the train station in Kyoto to catch another train back to Tokyo, connecting with another hour-long train ride to Karuizawa in Nagano Japan.
As I arrived in Karuizawa, I noticed beautiful ski slopes to the left of the train station. Snowboarders were zipping down the mountain and I yearned to go the following day. Karuizawa was beautiful. It reminded me of a Japanese style Pocono Mountains mixed with a touch of Aspen. Japanese country homes, log cabins and mansions were scattered through the thick forested and intertwined snow covered roads and paths. I was thrilled to be in a snowy setting, as we did not get much of it this past winter in New York!
A driver was waiting for me as I arrived form the train, which actually was a huge luxury limo bus, only for me. Again, the hot towels were served and we were off to Hoshinoya Karuizawa. The welcome cabin was separate from the main property. A young lady sat on the floor with perfect posture as she played the Hoshinoya original Japanese instrument set—it sounded beautiful and certainly set the relaxed pace for me. When the gong sounded, it was time for my drive through the Hoshinoya complex to my villa/suite.
Hoshinoya Karuizawa is a gorgeous property offering deluxe accommodations in a villa style setting, modern design, all amongst a large campus offering a traditional Japanese Kaiseki restaurant, lounge, an impressive and colossal lobby, a spa, as well as activity rooms where you can participate in various Japanese activities. The director of sales, Ryuichi was responsible for showing me the ultimate Hoshinoya experience possible and he did just that!!
The entire resort is centered on wellbeing and relaxation. I was invited by the hotel to join that at their French restaurant Bleston Court Yukawatan, which is located at their sister property up the road. This dinner may have been the most excellent dining experience I have had in my life, for sure top 10. Wow.
The next day, I participated in various Japanese activities. After a breakfast was delivered to my room, I started off at 7:00am with Japanese stretch/yoga class, all done in Japanese. Yet, I got it 😉 Then, off to the hot Onsen, outdoor springs, which was located “off campus” and up the block from my yoga class. The Onsen is a Japanese tradition where one goes into extremely hot natural spring waters for relaxation and revitalization. There is an entire ritual to go along with this, including showering prior, entering into the hot springs, then dry sauna, then cold water, I did not stick to the rules; I simply jumped around for about 30 minutes. As I entered into the hot springs outside in the lush mountains, it started to snow. Heavy gorgeous snowflakes. I was all by myself with the snowflakes. I slowly entered into the hot hot hot water leaned my head back, closed my eyes, and enjoyed the moment. (Yes, I did stick my tongue out to catch the snowflakes.).
After the Onsen, I participated in other Japanese experiences including a massage, Hoshinoya’s own indoor luxurious Onsen, Japanese arts and crafts, followed by a delicious Japanese Kaiseki farewell dinner at Kasuke in the hotel.
The next day, I was whisked off to an early train back to Tokyo, then onto the JR Express for my BUSINESS CLASS flight on ANA’s new Flatbed seats to New York. After my economy class experience on the outbound, I really wanted to fly business class home, so I made it happen…
A full photo album coming in the next post!