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October 9, 2020
Savoring Japan with Goto Travel: A National Tour of Autumn Hot Springs at Hoshino Resorts' KAI Properties | TRAVEL
TRAVEL | HOSHINO RESORTS KAI
The Hoshino brand's "safety and security" meets the "value" of Go To Travel. This autumn, embark on a hot spring journey to fully enjoy the fall foliage.
This autumn, KAI, Hoshino Resorts' hot spring ryokan brand with properties across Japan, proposes a hot spring journey to immerse yourself in the autumn colors. We introduce recommended destinations where you can savor the fall foliage, from bathing in the communal baths or private open-air baths while admiring the colors, to nearby spots perfect for enjoying the season. The destinations are presented in order of their peak foliage viewing times.
Text & Edit by TSUCHIDA Takashi
Peak foliage viewing period: Mid-October to early November
KAI Tsugaru(Aomori Prefecture - Oowaki Onsen)
https://kai-ryokan.jp/tsugaru/
Enjoy a relaxing moment after your bath while gazing at the surrounding autumn foliage encircling the water garden. At night, the water garden is illuminated, creating a mystical atmosphere with lamps made of traditional Tsugaru lacquerware and lanterns adorned with autumn leaves floating on the water.
Peak foliage viewing period: Mid-October to early November
KAI Kawaji(Tochigi Prefecture - Kawaji Onsen)
https://kai-ryokan.jp/kawaji/
Relax to the sound of the babbling brook while admiring the autumn leaves along the river from your guest room window. The footbath on the premises also offers a close-up view of the vibrant foliage, providing a luxurious experience.
Peak foliage viewing period: Mid-October to early November
KAI Kinugawa(Tochigi Prefecture - Kinugawa Onsen)
https://kai-ryokan.jp/kinugawa/
Enjoy a stroll through the courtyard, admiring the vibrant red and yellow foliage against the clear autumn sky. In the evening, savor dinner at the counter seats of the dining area while taking in the magical view of the illuminated autumn leaves.
Peak foliage viewing period: Mid-October to early November
KAI Nikko(Tochigi Prefecture - Chuzenji Onsen)
https://kai-ryokan.jp/nikko/
Oku-Nikko in Tochigi Prefecture is renowned as one of Japan's premier autumn foliage destinations. From the guest rooms of KAI Nikko, situated on the shores of Lake Chuzenji, you can admire the changing colors of the leaves depending on the season. We also recommend a foliage cruise on Lake Chuzenji.
Peak foliage viewing period: Late October to early November
KAI Hakone(Kanagawa Prefecture - Hakone Yumoto Onsen)
https://kai-ryokan.jp/hakone/
Enjoy a bath in the semi-open-air bath, which offers a view like a painting. You can soak while admiring the autumn foliage of Mt. Yuhana right in front of you. Bathing in the morning, accompanied by the sound of the flowing river, is also recommended.
Peak foliage viewing period: Mid-November to mid-December
KAI Ito(Shizuoka Prefecture - Ito Onsen)
https://kai-ryokan.jp/ito/
KAI Ito boasts an abundant supply of hot spring water, allowing you to enjoy the source throughout the facility. Warm yourself in the footbath located in the garden on a chilly day, and stroll through the garden to admire the colorful autumn leaves and seasonal flowers like Tsubaki and Isogiku.
Peak foliage viewing period: Early November to late December
KAI Anjin(Shizuoka Prefecture - Ito Onsen)
https://kai-ryokan.jp/anjin/
Ippekiko Lake, located about a 20-minute drive from KAI Anjin, is known as the "Eye of Izu." This figure-eight shaped lake, with a circumference of 4 km, has a walking path along its shores, offering a beautiful autumn foliage stroll.
Peak foliage viewing period: Mid-November to early December
KAI Sengokuhara(Kanagawa Prefecture - Sengokuhara Onsen)
https://kai-ryokan.jp/sengokuhara/
At KAI Sengokuhara, where all rooms feature an open-air bath, you can enjoy a soak while admiring the picturesque autumn foliage of the Hakone Outer Rim Mountains spread out before you. A visit to the nearby pampas grass fields is also recommended.
Peak foliage viewing period: Late October to early November
KAI Kaga(Ishikawa Prefecture - Yamashiro Onsen)
https://kai-ryokan.jp/kaga/
Kakusenkei Gorge, located in Yamanaka Onsen about a 15-minute drive from KAI Kaga, is a scenic gorge formed by the erosion of sandstone. Between two traditional bridges, a riverside promenade and picnic area offer a place to enjoy the autumn foliage while strolling.
Peak foliage viewing period: Early to mid-November
KAI Matsumoto(Nagano Prefecture - Asama Onsen)
https://kai-ryokan.jp/matsumoto/
Enjoy a bath while admiring the crimson maple leaves from the open-air bath in the main bathing area. A large maple tree at the rotary greets guests and is a popular photo spot within the facility. During this season, you can also enjoy rare Nouveau wine from the local Shiojiri region.
Peak foliage viewing period: Early October to early November
KAI Alps(Nagano Prefecture - Omachi Onsen)
https://kai-ryokan.jp/alps/
Maple leaves turn yellow, orange, and red, surrounding the central courtyard. You can enjoy sketching while admiring the autumn foliage by the stream flowing through the courtyard. You can also explore recommended autumn foliage spots in the Omachi Onsen area with a map.
Peak foliage viewing period: Late November to early December
KAI Enshu(Shizuoka Prefecture - Tateyama Onsen)
https://kai-ryokan.jp/enshu/
The "Tsumugi Tea Plantation" within the facility features Japanese Andromeda trees planted alternately with tea bushes, turning red and creating a contrast of red and green, reminiscent of the striped patterns of Enshu-Momen fabric. This is a signature autumn sight at KAI Enshu.
Peak foliage viewing period: Early October to early November
KAI Aso(Oita Prefecture - Senomoto Onsen)
https://kai-ryokan.jp/aso/
In the detached rooms, each with its own terrace and hot spring open-air bath extending into the forest, you can immerse yourself in the natural grandeur of the national park and enjoy the vibrant autumn foliage in complete privacy.
Peak foliage viewing period: Early November to early December
KAI Nagato(Yamaguchi Prefecture - Nagato Yumoto Onsen)
https://kai-ryokan.jp/nagato/
Daineiji Temple, located a 15-minute walk from KAI Nagato, was founded in 1410 by the Ouchi clan. The temple grounds offer views of vibrant autumn foliage from maple trees, which are also illuminated at night. It is recommended for a stroll around the Nagato Yumoto Onsen town.
Peak foliage viewing period: Late November to early December
KAI Izumo(Shimane Prefecture - Tamatsukuri Onsen)
https://kai-ryokan.jp/izumo/
The vermilion Taiko Bridge within the facility offers a view of the beautiful crimson autumn foliage towards the inner garden. The vibrant red bridge and the stunning autumn colors create a welcoming sight for guests.
Thus, enjoy an autumn foliage hot spring trip at KAI, Hoshino Resorts' hot spring ryokan brand spread across Japan. How about enjoying a safe and secure trip with Hoshino Resorts, which implements top-tier COVID-19 countermeasures?
Hygiene Management
As part of its COVID-19 response, Hoshino Resorts is implementing the following measures to ensure the health and public hygiene of our guests:
- Conducting temperature checks and confirming travel history upon check-in.
- In addition to regular room cleaning, cleaning and wiping down facilities with alkaline electrolyzed water.
- Providing disinfectant alcohol at various locations throughout the facility.
- Implementing alcohol disinfection for hands upon entry to dining areas for all guests.
- High-temperature washing (above 80°C) of tableware (plates, glasses) and cutlery, and disinfection of dining trays.
- Wearing masks during customer service interactions within the facility.
- Thorough management of staff health and hygiene (temperature checks and record verification before coming to work).
Avoiding the Three Cs
To create a stay that avoids the three Cs – closed spaces, crowded places, and close-contact settings – we are implementing the following measures:
- Restrictions on entry to crowded areas during your stay.
- Serving breakfast and dinner in semi-private dining spaces (excluding some facilities).
- Managing dining area congestion and staggering entry times.
- Implementing queue management at the front desk during check-out as needed.
- Check-in procedures conducted in guest rooms.