By Raphaël Simon | Monday 23 March 2026
Some journeys can be as exhausting as they are impressive. Then there are those, far rarer, that give something back to you: calm, space, a form of inner silence. In an age where everything must move faster, the ultimate luxury may no longer be to do ever more, but to finally accept slowing down. With its ryokans and resorts conceived as sanctuaries, Hoshino Resorts precisely embodies this promise: places where one gazes at a lake instead of a phone, where one follows the light rather than a schedule, and where one rediscovers the almost audacious pleasure of doing nothing at all.
🌿 Three Hoshino Resorts Escapes to Finally Slow Down
🥇 No. 1 · KAI Poroto (Shiraoi, Hokkaido)
At KAI Poroto, the spectacle is anything but showy. It resides in a window, a lake, a subtle play of light on the water · and that rare sensation that the world can wait. Located on the shores of Lake Poroto, this thermal ryokan transforms calm into a true aesthetic language. All rooms overlook the water, and the establishment pays homage to Ainu culture through its architecture, motifs, and atmosphere.
Here, a stay takes on a special dimension: onsen baths, Hokkaido landscapes, cultural inspirations, and proximity to the Upopoy Museum combine to create an experience that far surpasses simple accommodation. It is a silent luxury, never ostentatious but felt everywhere.
Practical Information about KAI Poroto:
- 🏞️ Concept: Thermal ryokan on the shores of Lake Poroto
- 🛏️ Capacity: 42 rooms
- 🕒 Check-in / Check-out: 3:00 PM / 12:00 PM
- 📍 Address: Shiraoi, Hokkaido, Japan
- 🚆 Access: 10-minute walk from JR Shiraoi Station
- ✈️ Airport: 40 minutes from New Chitose Airport
🥈 No. 2 · HOSHINOYA Taketomi Island (Okinawa)
There are still places where a watch becomes absurd. HOSHINOYA Taketomi Island is one of them. On this preserved Okinawan island, the villas blend into a landscape that has remained untouched for centuries: stone walls, coral sand, Ryukyu architecture.
Here, everything is designed to encourage natural slowing down, without artifice. Bright villas, tropical breezes, a continuously open pool, immense night skies: the charm lies in a perfectly mastered simplicity. One might think they are booking a hotel, but primarily, they are booking a different way of breathing.
Practical Information about HOSHINOYA Taketomi Island:
- 🏝️ Concept: Island resort inspired by local traditions
- 🛏️ Capacity: 48 villas
- 🕒 Check-in / Check-out: 3:00 PM / 12:00 PM
- 📍 Address: Taketomi, Okinawa, Japan
- ✈️ Access: via Ishigaki Airport + ferry
- 🚌 Transfer: shuttle included from the port
🥉 No. 3 · KAI Sengokuhara (Hakone, Kanagawa)
In the Hakone highlands, KAI Sengokuhara transforms rest into a creative experience. Each room features a private outdoor bath with views of soothing nature. The establishment cultivates a rare artistic dimension within the world of ryokans.
Here, well-being comes through volcanic water, mountain air, and silence · but also through creation. Workshops, artworks integrated into the rooms, a sensitive aesthetic: everything invites you to slow down without ever losing your spark. Guests come to rest and leave transformed.
Practical Information about KAI Sengokuhara:
- 🎨 Concept: Artistic thermal ryokan
- 🛏️ Capacity: 16 rooms
- 🕒 Check-in / Check-out: 3:00 PM / 12:00 PM
- 📍 Address: Hakone, Kanagawa, Japan
- 🚆 Access: Gora Station + taxi
- 🚗 Car: parking available
About Hoshino Resorts
Founded in 1914 in Karuizawa, Hoshino Resorts is today one of Japan’s most influential hotel groups. Led by Yoshiharu Hoshino, a representative of the fourth family generation, the group operates over 65 establishments across the country and internationally.
Its approach is based on a simple yet demanding principle: to reveal the essence of each destination through omotenashi, the art of Japanese hospitality. Its various brands · HOSHINOYA, KAI, RISONARE, OMO, and BEB · all embody this same travel philosophy: less display, more sensation. This commitment to authentic, deeply felt experiences distinguishes Hoshino Resorts in the luxury travel market.
Practical Information · Hoshino Resorts
- 🏯 Founded: 1914, Karuizawa
- 👤 Management: Yoshiharu Hoshino
- 🏨 Portfolio: +65 establishments
- ✨ Brands: HOSHINOYA, KAI, RISONARE, OMO, BEB
- 🌐 Website: hoshinoresorts.com
Article written by Raphaël Simon and La Rédaction La Revue des hôtels · March 2026.
