[Northern Kanto] 12 fashionable hotels and ryokan for girls

The three northern Kanto onsen of Gunma, Tochigi, and Ibaraki are dotted with popular tourist spots such as Kusatsu Onsen in Gunma, Nikko Toshogu Shrine in Tochigi, and Hitachi Seaside Park in Ibaraki. This is a popular area for a casual two-day trip from Tokyo where you can enjoy onsen and gourmet food.

This time, we will introduce stylish hotels and ryokan in the three northern Kanto prefectures of Gunma, Tochigi, and Ibaraki that are recommended for women. There are a variety of attractive inns, including art hotels, inns designed by famous architects, and quaint ryokan. Please check it out as a reference for choosing an important place to stay.

SHIROIYA HOTEL is a renovated version of the 300-year-old ryokan Shiroiya. It is an art hotel designed by architect Sou Fujimoto. The hotel is filled with artworks throughout, from the guest rooms to the lounge, creating a space that stimulates the senses. In addition to restaurants and cafes, the hotel also has a wide range of facilities, including a fruit tart specialty shop, a bakery, and a sauna.

In the atrium, you'll find "Lighting Pipes," a work by Argentine artist Leandro Erlich. The space, filled with glowing pipes, is a stunning piece that draws in the viewer. In addition, works by various other artists, including paintings and contemporary art, are on display. When you stroll through the building, you'll feel like you're in an art museum.

There are a total of 25 guest rooms. In each room you can enjoy artwork by a different artist. There are also "Special Rooms" designed by four creators from Japan and abroad. The photo shows the "Special Room - Jasper Morrison Room," the only room of its kind in the world, designed for the first time by world-renowned designer Jasper Morrison. Come experience a stay that will stimulate your senses and fill you with inspiration.

Shima Onsen Sekizen Honkan ryokan in 1694. It is said to have been the model for the bathhouse in Spirited Away, and is extremely popular with tourists. The guest rooms are divided into three buildings: the retro hot spring inn "Main Building," the cultural heritage building "Mountain Villa," and the luxurious "Kashotei."

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This guest room is a "5-star Japanese-Western style special room with a side room (Mountain Villa)". It is a luxurious room with 10 tatami mats + bedroom and a half open-air bath with natural hot spring water. In particular, the view from the veranda and the beauty of the kumiko shoji screens are exceptional, allowing you to feel the splendor of traditional Japanese culture.

At the five baths in the building, you can enjoy the "Shima Onsen" onsen, which are said to cure a wide variety of ailments. In particular, you must see the "Genroku no Yu" bath in the main building, which is registered as a national tangible cultural property! The modern Western-style baths exude a Taisho-era romantic atmosphere, making you feel like you've traveled back in time. Immerse yourself in the charm of this long-established ryokan has been visited by many celebrities and loved throughout the ages.

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Located about a 3-minute walk from the famous Yubatake onsen spot, Kusatsu onsen Kei is onsen auberge where you can enjoy original kaiseki cuisine. It is a hideaway for adults, and children under 12 years old are not allowed to stay. In the restaurant shown in the photo, you can enjoy original kaiseki cuisine based on Japanese cuisine, made with cooking methods that are not limited to any genre. Enjoy the gourmet food that only an auberge can offer in a modern space.

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There are seven guest rooms with different designs, all spacious at over 70㎡. Some rooms even have an open-air onsen bath. The photo shows the special room "TAKASAGO" with its own open-air bath. The work of skilled craftsmen has been applied throughout, including the ceiling of the bedroom, creating a tasteful and luxuriously relaxing space. Enjoy a luxurious time in this sophisticated Japanese modern space.

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There are three private baths in the building, where you can enjoy the precious "Jizo Gensen," one of only four in Kusatsu. The photo shows "AWASE," where you can experience Kusatsu's traditional bathing method. It is truly luxurious to be able to enjoy a private "Awaseyu" bath, where you go from low to high temperature water. The beaten floor is not only stylish, but also has anti-slip properties.

Hotel Coco Grand Takasaki is directly connected to Takasaki Station via a pedestrian deck. It is a city hotel with the concept of "a healing hotel surrounded by water, greenery, and light." There is even a stream running through the lobby! From the moment you enter the hotel, you will be soothed by the greenery of the trees and the babbling of the stream.

There are various types of guest rooms, from Western-style rooms to Japanese-style rooms and suites, and all rooms are equipped with massage chairs. The room in the photo is the "Coco Suite Twin" on the top 11th floor. It is a luxurious room with an open-air bath on the terrace and an indoor jacuzzi bath. The room is based on brown and has a high level of design that gives off the warmth of wood, making it enchanting.

At the spa on the 10th floor of the hotel, you can enjoy a large bath decorated with red and white tiles, as well as an open-air bath with carbonated spring water, which is said to be effective in promoting blood flow. The powder room is equipped with amenities such as cleansing products, face wash, lotion, and milky lotion, as well as a drink server and lockers with keys. There is also a bedrock bath (free reservation required), so you can detox to your heart's content.

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Kimuraya, located right in front of the Yubatake, is an inn designed by world-renowned architect Kengo Kuma. With the theme of "making the Yubatake three-dimensional," the inn incorporates elements of Kusatsu throughout and is limited to one group per day. The stones attached to the uniquely designed exterior are Asama stones that can be found at the Yubatake. It's like a dream to stay in a building designed by Kengo Kuma that is so artistic you'll be captivated.

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The interior on the second floor is a chic and sophisticated space that combines black and wooden textures. The interior is made with Asama stone terrazzo (artificial marble) and washi paper made from crushed stone, giving you a taste of Kusatsu in many places. For dinner, enjoy a course of tempura made with seafood and mountain vegetables at Tempura Kotaro on the first floor.

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In the guest rooms, you can enjoy the precious "Shirohata Onsen" spring water, which flows directly from the source. The hot, milky, highly acidic water, which Minamoto no Yoritomo is said to have bathed in, is said to have a strong sterilizing effect and cure all kinds of illnesses. The tiles used on the floor of the Yubatake are embedded in the walls around the bathroom. You can enjoy Kengo Kuma's worldview even in the bathroom.

The Key Highland Nasu is located in the forests of the Nasu Highlands. It is an all-inclusive resort hotel where the price of your stay includes not only meal and drinks, including alcohol, but also activities such as swimming and karaoke. You can enjoy your stay to the fullest without having to worry about the cost of your stay.

The hotel is filled with high-quality, stylish interiors, creating a stylish space that exudes the warmth of wood. The photo shows Mori no Kitchen, a restaurant with an impressive fireplace. Guests can enjoy specially prepared dishes made with fresh ingredients from the Nasu Highlands. It also doubles as a lounge, so you can spend an elegant time in an open space. You can even enjoy a camping-like experience by roasting marshmallows in the fireplace.

There are a total of 36 guest rooms. All rooms feature modern interiors, creating a casual yet sophisticated atmosphere. There are a variety of room types available, from suites with open-air baths to maisonettes, Japanese-Western rooms, and Western-style rooms. With a lush forest spreading out outside the window, you can enjoy a relaxing stay surrounded by greenery. The maisonette shown in the photo can accommodate up to four people, making it a great choice for girls' trips or family stays.

Nasu Highland Park's official hotel, Nasu Kogen TOWA Pure Cottages, is a highland resort with 220 rooms, including rental villas, glamping, and cottages. There is also a 360-degree transparent glamping dome where you can gaze at the stars while lying down in bed.

Each rental villa has a different layout and interior, and they are all beautiful and lovely, with wooden rooms, rooms with earthen floors, rooms with fireplaces and open-air baths, etc. There are also many rooms where you can stay with pets, so it is also recommended for traveling with your beloved dog.

For dinner, try the Western restaurant "Le Rouge" or the Japanese restaurant "Momi." You can choose between Japanese and Western cuisine depending on your preference. We also recommend the private BBQ restaurant "BBQ Village." You can enjoy a full-scale BBQ in an open space surrounded by nature. If you don't want to travel, you can stay at a rental villa and use the catering service to bring ingredients to your room, so you can cook in your room's kitchen.

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Shelter Garden Nikko is a lifestyle hotel nestled in the forests of Nikko. Natural wood is used throughout the hotel, from the floors and walls to the furniture, creating a stylish space with excellent design. In the Lounge shown in the photo, in addition to morning drinks, they also offer great services such as sunset evening hours where you can enjoy carefully selected wines and cocktails.

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The guest rooms are fully equipped with facilities to ensure a comfortable stay, including high-end Sealy beds, high-end duvets to soothe tired bodies, and soft-to-the-touch loungewear. The "River View" room shown in the photo has a 230cm x 230cm picture-framed view window that captures the beautiful scenery of Nikko like a painting. You won't be able to stop taking photos of these stylish, photogenic rooms ♡

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In addition, the river view bathroom is equipped with a claw foot bathtub made overseas. The washbasin also has an original design slope sink, which is very stylish. If you soak in the claw foot bathtub filled with original bath salts, you can have an extraordinary experience like you would in an overseas hotel.

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Fufu Nikko is a luxury hotel adjacent to Nikko Tamozawa Imperial Villa Memorial Park. All 24 rooms are suites with private onsen springs. The photo shows the open-air bath in the Fufu Luxury Premium Suite. There is a large public bath, but you can also relax in a surprisingly large bath in your room.

The guest rooms are spacious, measuring over 56㎡. Not only the furniture, but also the fabrics and color tones vary from room to room, so it can be hard to decide which room to choose. The photo shows the 140㎡ "Fufu Luxury Premium Suite." Just sitting on the large sofa or the terrace chairs and looking at the view outside will naturally soothe you.

Dinner is Japanese cuisine or teppanyaki. At the Japanese restaurant "Setsunaka," you can enjoy kaiseki cuisine that combines Japanese and Western cuisine using seasonal local ingredients, while at the teppanyaki restaurant "Koro," you can enjoy teppanyaki made by a chef using ingredients related to Nikko and cooked right in front of you. You will be enchanted by the food, which looks like a work of art served on beautiful dishes.

Art Biotop Nasu, quietly nestled at the foot of Mt. Nasu, is a hotel where you can enjoy various experiences that will sharpen your sensibilities, with the themes of "health," "creativity," "meal," and "knowledge." There are two types of guest rooms: "Suite Villa" and "Residence." "Residence" is a simple room suitable for long-term stays. The "Suite Villa" shown in the photo is a very luxurious room with a terrace and an open-air bath.

One place you should definitely visit during your stay is the Water Garden, adjacent to the Art Biotopes. Although it looks like a natural forest, it is actually an artwork by architect Junya Ishigami. Made with over 100 biotopes (ponds) of various sizes and trees, it is a work of art that changes over time. It's a great way to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and spend some time relaxing.

*Tours are free for Suite Villa guests and require prior reservations.

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The hotel also has a pottery studio and a glass studio where you can have a full-scale creative experience. You can enjoy a variety of experiences (fees apply, reservations required) such as glass blowing, glass bead making, cut glass, sandblasting, pottery, and indigo dyeing. Be sure to try them out to make some memorable memories of your trip.

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Satoumitei Kinparo Hontei has magnificent views of the Pacific Ocean, and you can enjoy it from various places, such as the bath area, meal area, and guest room terraces. The interior of the inn, where you can take off your shoes and relax barefoot, has a nostalgic feel to it. Enjoy a relaxing stay at this inn, where time flows at a leisurely pace.

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There are eight guest rooms, all facing the ocean. The stylish rooms combine wooden materials with modern interiors. All rooms have a terrace, from which you can enjoy a spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean that changes with the time of day. Sitting on a chair on the terrace and simply gazing at the ocean will help clear away any worries you may have.

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Another thing to look forward to is the delicious food! Using fresh vegetables and seafood from the local Mito-Oarai region, you can enjoy nutritious country cuisine that reflects the four seasons. Try it with the world's best craft beer, Hitachino Nest Beer, or the local sake, Tsuki no I.

Photo courtesy of Hoshino Resorts BEB5 Tsuchiura (https://hoshinoresorts.com/ja/hotels/beb5tsuchiura/)

Hoshino Resorts BEB5 Tsuchiura is a conveniently located hotel above the station, just a 0-minute walk from the JR Tsuchiura Station ticket gate. The motto is "Rinpaku." This is Hoshino Resorts' first unique hotel that allows you to enjoy cycling, and is enjoyable not only for bicycle enthusiasts but also for those who are interested in cycling. Bicycle rentals (fee required) are also available, so you can easily enjoy cycling.

Photo courtesy of Hoshino Resorts BEB5 Tsuchiura (https://hoshinoresorts.com/ja/hotels/beb5tsuchiura/)

This is the public space, "TAMARIBA." With its stylish industrial interior, TAMARIBA is a place where you can plan the next day with friends, enjoy conversations with fellow guests, and casually enjoy interacting with a variety of people. The "Whole Melon Cream Soda," served in a melon, is sold at the 24-hour "BEB Cafe," and is a recommended drink that is sure to look great on social media.

Photo courtesy of Hoshino Resorts BEB5 Tsuchiura (https://hoshinoresorts.com/ja/hotels/beb5tsuchiura/)

There are a total of 90 guest rooms. They come in a variety of unique styles, including the "Yagura Room," which is like a secret base, and the "Double Room," where you can stay comfortably with a 200cm x 150cm bed. In the "Cycle Room," you can display your own bicycle on the wall. This is a great place for bicycle lovers, as you can enjoy your beloved bike in a different atmosphere than usual.

What did you think? We've covered a wide range of unique accommodations, from the long-established ryokan was the model for the hot spring inn in "Spirited Away" to the unique concept hotel that attracts bicycle enthusiasts. If you find a hotel that interests you, be sure to start planning your trip and head out to make some wonderful memories!