I was invited to join a trip to KAI Oku-Hida, which just opened in September 2024. I boarded a highway bus from Busta Shinjuku and headed straight for Oku-Hida Onsen. The bus ride took about five hours. While I was reading and dozing off, the scenery changed rapidly, and my anticipation for the trip grew.
Oku-Hida Onsenkyo is the collective name for five hot spring areas scattered at the foot of the Hida Mountains (Northern Alps): Hirayu, Fukuchi, Shin-Hirayu, Tochio, and Shin-Hotaka. KAI Oku-Hida is located in Hirayu Onsen, the oldest of these hot springs. Hirayu Onsen is known as one of Japan's three largest hot springs, boasting the highest volume of hot spring water.
Upon arriving at KAI Oku-Hida, I immediately tried the foot bath. The magnificent view of the Northern Alps was amazing, and above all, it was cool! KAI Oku-Hida is located at an altitude of 1250m, and compared to the heat of Tokyo, it was like heaven. The fatigue of the long journey was instantly blown away.
Enjoy the unique "hot spring culture" of foot baths right away
The interior of the hotel allows you to experience the local culture, which is one of KAI's special features. The interior is decorated with a variety of furniture and accessories, and is furnished with a modern design and the warmth of wood.
This time, I stayed in the "Hida MOKU Room." Hida Shunkei, a traditional local lacquerware, is featured on the wall art, guest room signs, and even on original Hida-dyed cushions. The headboard, which has a bentwood motif, mysteriously gives the space a soft feel.
The open-air bath in the guest room is also a hot spring! There is a sofa next to the bathtub that is large enough to lie down on, so I was able to soak in the hot water many times and spend a relaxing time.
Local culture is reflected in interior decoration.
A sofa that you can get out of the hot springs while still wet.
Room keys that have been carefully designed down to the smallest detail.
Since we were there, we wanted to take a bath in a large bath. We also went to the hot spring building (bathhouse building), which has an open-air bath. The indoor bath has two types of baths: a hot bath with water directly from the source, and a lukewarm bath with a relaxing effect, which enhances the feeling of a hot spring cure.
The open-air bath is surrounded by white walls reminiscent of the "snow corridor" of the Northern Alps, with a huge hole gaping directly above, creating a very unique atmosphere. Guests can stretch out in the bath while gazing at the blue sky during the day and the starry sky at night.
A rounded, curved design inspired by a snow corridor.
Food is an essential part of enjoying a trip. I took my time enjoying the "Hida Beef Miso Sukiyaki Kaiseki" in a semi-private dining room that gave off a sense of privacy. It was my first time trying miso-flavored sukiyaki. The idea of mixing the Hida beef with grated yam instead of egg was interesting. It was a surprising dish.
This miso-flavored sukiyaki made with high-quality Hida beef is served with yam instead of egg, giving it a truly fresh taste.
I woke up earlier than usual this morning and participated in the "Modern Hot Spring Therapy Exercise" held in the courtyard. It was a great way to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life, slowly waking up my body and feeling refreshed. Then I headed to breakfast.
Even though we had eaten such a large meal at dinner, the colorful breakfast was a delight. It was a healthy breakfast made with plenty of vegetables from the Hida area.
Breakfast after participating in some gentle wake-up exercises. The miso soup has a wide variety of dishes and is made with plenty of preserved dried vegetables, making it a vegetable dish that you'll definitely want to try at home.
If you visit KAI, be sure to try out the local cultural experience "Gotogaku." At KAI Oku-Hida, you can experience the "Hida Craftsmanship Experience" where you can create a bent wood handle for a furoshiki. The feeling of bending the wood that has been softened by soaking it in hot water overnight is incredibly fun, and you can take it home as a souvenir. I found myself wanting to buy a variety of furoshiki.
The decorations in the experience room are wonderful, with walls designed to evoke the forests of Hida. The displays of various chisels, planes, and other tools are very cute.
If you're sightseeing in the area, we recommend the Okuhida Mountain Bus*. There are plenty of local buses that allow you to enjoy the beautiful scenery, but you can also enjoy the scenery by car or taxi from Hirayu Bus Terminal to the Shinhotaka Ropeway. The bus runs through five Okuhida hot spring resorts over a 20km stretch, and the Shinhotaka Ropeway gives you the feeling of walking on a plateau in the sky. You can enjoy the beautiful Northern Alps mountains that show off their various faces, so we recommend visiting during this period.
*The Okuhida Mountain Bus special service will end on July 2025, 7.
The Okuhida Mountain Bus offers a spectacular view from its rooftop, and you can feel the breeze as you ride through Okuhida.
Photo courtesy of Okuhida Mountain Bus
Japan's first double-decker ropeway allows you to reach the summit without heavy equipment, and from the newly stylishly maintained summit you can enjoy a 360-degree view of the Northern Alps and the 3000m-class mountains from an altitude of 2000m.
Photo courtesy of Okuhida Tourism
It was a trip filled with the magnificent views of the Northern Alps and the nature and culture of Oku-Hida. Next time I come, I'll definitely stay two nights. I set off on my journey home, hoping to make it a trip where I can fully enjoy both the hot springs and the nature.
Mariko Kawase
Premium Japan Marketing Staff
I enjoy traveling domestically with my dog.
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