輕井澤施什瓦旅館(Shishi-Iwa-House Karuizawa)

With stunning architecture by Shigeru Ban (who designed House 1 and 2), this stylish small hotel has interesting spaces filled with contemporary art. My family took 3 rooms in Villa A of House 2 which gave us a private kitchenette and small seating area, with access to a beautiful communal room and library. It's a couple of minutes' walk to House 1 with the gorgeous restaurant that merges the indoor with outdoor. The restaurant offers a good breakfast and a la carte lunches/dinners. We chose the omakase dinner one evening and it was creative and excellent. The staff members are fantastic - friendly and helpful, especially the knowledgeable and wonderful General Manager Ogihara-san who went out of his way to personally take us to the oldest ramen restaurant in Karuizawa and the volcano park. We enjoyed our stay very much. The hotel recently added House 3 which is also stunning. There's quite a bit to do in the area - hikes, waterfall, onsen etc., so we are already planning our next trip. A great escape in the summer from the blazing heat of Tokyo, and I hear it's amazing in the snowy winter too.