The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko
Hotel · Nikko
2482 Chugushi, Nikko, Tochigi 321-1661, Japan
.jpg "The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko by Miyuki Kaneko, Nacasa & Partners Inc./Courtesy The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko")
"Set in Nikkō National Park with views over Lake Chūzenji or Mount Nantai, the 94-room lakeside hotel is the brand’s first property with an on-site hot spring sourced from nearby Yumoto Onsen. Design elements blend Japanese and Western influences—Nikko-bori woodcarvings, kumiko latticework, and Mashiko pottery—while dining spotlights local specialties such as yuba and Tochigi wagyu, and programming includes cross-country skiing, guided nature walks, and temple visits led by local monks." - Yukari Sakamoto, Adam H. Graham
"A hotel for all seasons, the Ritz-Carlton Nikko occupies a prime spot on the skirts of Mount Nantai inside a UNESCO World Heritage site resplendent with ancient temples. The first luxury hotel in this part of the country, just a two-hour train ride from Tokyo, stays true to its bucolic surroundings: In the oblong glass-fronted lobby, there’s a harmonious interplay of light and space and cozy fabrics. The Library and Lakehouse restaurant are warmed by flickering fireplaces; the spa features unique-to-Nikko artworks, including exquisite floral Nikko-bori wood carvings. Subtly textured cedarwood rooms induce a sense of calm with silently sliding doors, fretwork inspired by local Tochigi latticework, puffy white (Western-style) beds, granite onsen, and balconies where you can wrap yourself in a cashmere blanket, sip green sencha, and watch cormorants and Black Kites flit around the lake. From $880. —Lee Cobaj" - CNT Editors
"Why did this hotel catch your attention? What's the vibe? A monolith of soothing black and gray tones crawling along Lake Chuzenji, the Ritz-Carlton, Nikko is leagues beyond any other accommodations in the entire region. Rooms come with either mountain or lake views (we solidly recommend overlooking the water) and the upmarket sophistication is on point with what you'd expect from the luxury brand. What's the backstory? This is Ritz-Carlton's first attempt at sedate Japanese elegance after its celebrated properties in Tokyo and Kyoto. Tell us all about the accommodations. Any tips on what to book? Rooms play with indoor and outdoor space; you can slide open the glass to make your balcony a part of your suite or keep the views in but the elements out when the weather turns. Is there a charge for Wi-Fi? Free wifi. Drinking and dining—what are we looking at? Modeled after the area's ambassadorial lake houses built for European diplomats, the property has a faux boat house–style restaurant among its collection of locally themed venues. What type of travelers will you find here? International elite. Any other hotel features worth noting? Beautiful stonework in the onsen makes the spa a cut above the rest. Bottom line: Worth it? Why? This is perfect for American travelers who want a little bit of home—and a lot of Japan." - Brandon Presser
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"Located beside a lake near sacred Mount Nantai in a UNESCO World Heritage area, this hotel is the first of the brand to feature its own onsen, offering an on-site hot-spring experience. Ninety-four rooms clad in natural wood and stone all have balconies or large windows framing mountain or lake views, blending luxury comforts with the surrounding natural setting." - Kathryn Romeyn
"A monolith of soothing black and gray tones crawling along Lake Chuzenji, the Ritz-Carlton, Nikko is leagues beyond any other accommodations in the entire region. Rooms come with either mountain or lake views (we solidly recommend overlooking the water) and the upmarket sophistication is on point with what you'd expect from the luxury brand. Rooms play with indoor and outdoor space; you can slide open the glass to make your balcony a part of your suite or keep the views in but the elements out when the weather turns." - Brandon Presser
