From glamping experiences at the forested foot of Mt Fuji to elegant banquets that follow the phases of the moon to relaxing music in hot spring ryokans that celebrate the twilight, these autumnal delights bring yet more colour to Japan’s most loved time of year.
Of all the seasons, autumn is Japan’s darling. With its incredible displays of gold turning to russet and maroon as trees make their way into winter, and the climate turning cool but not cold after the summer heat, autumn has a wonderful calming effect.
These three Hoshino Resorts harness the peace and beauty of the season like few other places on earth, creating unique experiences, delicious dishes and lasting memories that will bring you closer to the culture of Japan than ever before.
- Experience Mount Fuji Like Never Before with This Autumn Forest Glamping Stay at HOSHINOYA Fuji
As Japan’s first glamping resort*, HOSHINOYA Fuji is already a remarkable place, but with the country’s most recognisable natural icon as your front yard, this is a resort where memories are made.
During autumn, HOSHINOYA Fuji enhances the experience with a range of concepts and activities in and around the stunning forests of Mt Fuji as the colours of the trees turn to a conflagration.
Overnight guests at this unique resort can enjoy the Forest Discovery Walk through the wooded northern foothills of the mountain with one of the resort’s knowledgeable Glamping Masters. Following the leafy walking paths of the tiered Cloud Terrace that floats above the topography of the land.
As dusk pulls you closer to your glamping cabin, guests can enjoy the hearty yet refined indulgence of a signature sukiyaki hot pot, served in the room. Tender, thinly sliced wagyu beef and autumnal vegetables come in a traditional warishita broth with the modern twist of a red wine base. This wholesome meal is the perfect antidote to the cool breeze as it flows down the mountain and across Lake Kawaguchi at your doorstep.
When night closes in, you are beckoned to the Takibi (or ‘Bonfire’) Bar by the lilting sounds of live music and the flickering flame of the bar’s namesake. Guests relax with a signature autumn cocktail based on apple ginger syrup and spices that guests choose and grind themselves.
On three special nights of the month, a lounge appears in the forest as if by magic. This is the Moonlight Lounge where guests enjoy ‘tsukimachi’ — literally ‘moon-waiting’ — which refers to an ancient local tradition of watching the rising of the moon. These three special nights coincide with the full moon and the nights either side of its zenith. The resort serves a limited cocktail inspired by the moon.
Even the coffee at HOSHINOYA Fuji has an autumnal touch. Brewed over the crackle of an open fire, this fragrant field blend is served with tasty sweets made with grapes from Yamanashi. The perfect way to while away an autumn afternoon.
You might think it’s impossible to capture the essence of this forest experience, but Fragrant Forest Distillation allows guests to create their own aromatic memory by distilling things like sweet Japanese Cypress, refreshing yomogi and earthy pinecones into a signature perfume or room spray to take home. The scent of the forest is a reminder of autumn on Mount Fuji.
*Based on in-house research into “glamping resorts” in Japan, conducted in October 2015.
For more details: https://hoshinoresorts.com/en/hotels/hoshinoyafuji/sp/hoshinoyafuji_fall/
- Celebrate the ritual of the autumn moon at HOSHINOYA Karuizawa
The moon in autumn has long been an important part of HOSHINOYA Karuizawa. Admired by many literary and cultural figures since the Taisho era from this special place in Nagano Prefecture, the moon seems to shine with particular brilliance as the year fails.
In homage to its beauty, HOSHINOYA Karuizawa has developed some fascinating and novel ways to appreciate the moon here. These concepts provide guests with the pleasure of seeing the moon in all its autumn glory throughout September, October and November.
As the moon journeys around the earth, rising at different times from different points on the horizon, and gradually obscured and revealed in its various phases, the resort has created the ‘Karuizawa Autumn Moon Banquet’.
Operating like a luna clock, seven ‘seats’ are perfectly positioned around the property to give guests the best view depending on where the moon will rise that evening.
Each station of the banquet also has its own identifying concept. For example, when the full moon rises, guests enjoy ‘tsukimi dango’ or harvest moon rice dumplings, which are traditionally enjoyed on the Tsukimi Festival that honours the brightest autumn moon. These dumplings are sweet, filled with apple paste, and are made to resemble the full moon.
For the advent of the new moon, the pond that sits at the centre of the resort is set with floating lights that mirror the unseen moon above. In the past, people found refinement and solace in turning their thoughts to a moon that does not show itself. Instead of lamenting the dark sky, they would see the beauty that must lie out of sight in the heavens.
The New Moon Water Lanterns are a new addition to the Autumn Moon Banquet, as is the creative Full Moon Parfait. This clever dessert features indulgent ice cream made with anno imo — Japanese sweet potato, a sake jelly and succulent shine muscat grapes. Made to look like the moon floating on the water, this dish is an expression of gratitude for the autumn harvest.
In a final decedent nod to the autumn moon, guests can also enjoy fine sake by moonlight on the resort’s Yuagari-dokoro. This style of traditional terrace deck is a favourite place to relax after an onsen bath. In the autumn months, you can take in the cool evening air, admire the majesty of the moon and taste some of the finest sake from Shinshu, one of Japan’s foremost sake regions.
For more details: https://hoshinoresorts.com/en/hotels/hoshinoyakaruizawa/sp/tukimi_festival/
- Admire the best of autumn evenings with ancient customs at KAI Akiu’s new elegant ‘twilight salon’
Deep in the heart of Miyagi Prefecture and overlooking the fast-running Natori River, KAI Akiu already holds all the cards when it comes to enjoying the incredible colours of autumn in Japan. Built to bring the wooded views of the valley into each of the elegantly designed rooms, this onsen ryokan hotel is at its best when the leaves start to turn to gold.
Add to that the newly renovated lobby lounge, the launch of the exclusive Yoizuki Salon and a fun yet elegant ethos based on ancient traditions, KAI Akiu is the perfect place to stay this autumn.
Taking its name from the playful concept of ‘yoizuki’ — enjoying fine drinks and embracing the twilight — the Yoizuki Salon is KAI Akiu’s new sophisticated bar and lounge.
As the evening draws in and guests finish their dinner, the Salon fills with music. Inspired by an all-but-forgotten tradition, musicians playing traditional Japanese and Western instruments entertain the room awaiting the moonrise. Known as tsukimachi, this Shinto folk tradition once saw villagers pray to deities then stay up late sharing sake until the moon was up.
At KAI Akiu, it’s an opportunity to relax, to take in the views of the valley outside as darkness comes and to enjoy the hospitality. During this time, fine local drinks from the prefecture are freely available to guests. The likes of apple wine from Nikka Whisky, and red and orange wine from Akiu Winery enhance the moon-waiting experience.
Meanwhile, above the lobby, with views down over the lower level of Yoizuki Salon and out through the expansive windows of the hotel, the balcony’s Tsukimachi Seats give guests more privacy and also access to the exclusive Yoizuki Evening Drink Set.
As well as Champagne, the drink set includes canapés topped with oil-marinated oysters on local Sendai-fu crackers, bruschetta featuring famous sasa-kamaboko fishcakes and seasonal fruit wrapped with prosciutto-style beef tongue.
After a relaxing soak in KAI Akiu’s natural hot spring onsen and a delicious dinner, what can be better than retiring to the Yoizuki Salon to soak up the atmosphere, relish the twilight and await the coming of the autumn moon?
For more details: https://hoshinoresorts.com/en/hotels/kaiakiu/sp/yoidukisalon/
