Hotel Indigo Karuizawa is shaped by its mountain setting—warmth drawn from firelight, textures inspired by forest paths, and a calm that settles in with the highland air.

Set about an hour from Tokyo by Shinkansen, Hotel Indigo Karuizawa, an IHG Hotel, sits at the confluence of nature and culture in Nagano’s highland retreat. Framed by the presence of Mount Asama and a town shaped by Western influence and Japanese tradition, the hotel captures the spirited, creative essence of Karuizawa’s artistic community. From the moment you arrive, a striking wood-rich interior and a glowing fireplace in the lobby invite you into a space that feels both spirited and grounded—a thoughtful pause from urban rhythm.

The guest rooms and suites unfold like refined forest villas, each with a backdrop for lingering mornings and quiet evenings. Textures and tones echo the surrounding woodland and local heritage, with bespoke art that reflects Karuizawa’s natural narratives. Rooms offer views of garden greenery or riverside light, encouraging you to slow down and look more closely.

All Day Dining KAGARIBI is the hotel’s culinary heart. Here, the open space welcomes sunlight and water views, with locally sourced ingredients prepared over a wood flame—a method that brings out earthy and elemental textures. Chefs draw on Karuizawa’s produce, balancing inventive courses with approachable execution that feels rooted in its surroundings. A second-floor private dining room off KAGARIBI offers a quiet platform for gatherings, events, or introspective shared meals in a refined setting. For lighter moments, the lobby lounge serves beverages and desserts throughout the day, a comfortable perch to watch firelight and conversation alike.

The Spa by HARNN delivers treatments that fuse contemporary Thai wellness approaches with locally influenced products and rituals; a signature experience honors body and mind with bespoke touches and a concluding tea ritual. Adjacent, the communal bathhouse invites prolonged soaks in carbonated spring water, with an open-air bath that frames rustling branches and open sky. A 24-hour fitness center, equipped with modern machines, keeps routines uninterrupted by schedule.

Outside, the Forest Garden Fire Pit becomes an evening ritual space, where firelight and crisp air create a social landscape distinct from typical hotel grounds. Inside, the lobby’s curated TSUTAYA book selection and open workspace encourage play and productivity without the stuffiness that often comes with business zones.

Bringing the journey full circle, the same flicker of amber flame that greets you in the lobby is mirrored in the warmth of human scale throughout—simple gestures that transform a stay at Hotel Indigo Karuizawa, an IHG Hotel, into a thoughtful exploration of place and self.