Nojiriko Hotel El Bosco

Too many foreigners think of Japan as little more than a couple of massive cities connected by a high-speed rail line. While the hotels in those big cities are world-famous, the countryside is home to a wealth of very fine rural resorts, hotels that are immensely popular among Japanese city dwellers, and yet all but unknown to foreigners. A prime example would be the Nojiriko Hotel El Bosco, a sixty-room boutique hotel by the side of Lake Nojiri, deep in the forests of the Joshinetsu Kogen national park.

The rooms and suites face out over the woods, and they’re decorated in a mellow, restrained contemporary style. The clean furnishings and the optimistic color schemes are reminiscent of mid-century modernism of the Scandinavian variety, an impression that’s only reinforced by the blond wood rocking chairs. Given the remote location it’s quite sensible that dinner is included in your rate, and it’s more than sensible when you consider that the on-site restaurant is a branch of the famous Japanese pasta house AW Kitchen. Best of all it’s just two and a half hours from Tokyo by train — certainly not out of the question for a quick detour from a city-based trip.

Please note: Nojiriko Hotel El Bosco is open seasonally, April through November.

• 60 Rooms
• Style: Modern Design
• Atmosphere: Secluded
• 1 Guest Review

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