THE HIRAMATSU KARUIZAWA MIYOTA

Post-Olympics, Japan’s New Hotels Will Be Worth Traveling For

"Having cut their teeth in the gourmet restaurant business, the Hiramatsu group has launched a family of European-style ryokans across Japan with two recent openings, including last year’s grand opening of Hiramatsu Kyoto. The latest addition to the growing number of Hiramatsu properties is in Miyota, in central Nagano, a quick train ride west of Tokyo, where locals go for onsens and leisurely mountain hikes. There are nine villas and 28 fully-equipped rooms with their own private Japanese hot spring on terraces with sweeping views of Nagano, home of the 1998 Winter Olympics. Adrenaline-seeking powder heads will love their off-piste ski sessions during the day before nesting back in their room when the sun goes down. The pet-friendly hotel has two restaurants—Le Grand Lys and La Lumiere Claire—with chef Akio Yanaghiara bringing both Japanese and French flavors together well at both restaurants."