Discover Onsen, Nature, Culinary Delights, and Craftsmanship at an UNESCO site in
Gifu through KAI Okuhida by Hoshino Resorts
JAPAN, Sep 5, 2024 – Hoshino Resorts unveils Hoshino Resorts KAI Okuhida, the 24th hotel to open under KAI, a leading brand of onsen ryokans (hot spring hotels). A KAI ryokan offers a contemporary take on traditional Japanese inns while providing Western comforts.
KAI Okuhida is Hoshino Resorts’ inaugural venture in the Gifu prefecture. Okuhida is a hot spring town in what is known locally as Japan’s Northern Alps in Gifu Prefecture. KAI Okuhida is located in the heart of Okuhida-Onsengo (a cluster of villages also known as the Okuhida Hot Spring Village). The city of Hida, which is renowned for traditional craftsmanship, is less than an hour away by car.
Despite being one of the largest geothermal areas in the country, Okuhida currently remains a domestic secret among onsen-loving Japanese. This means it is relatively free from the heavy international tourist footfall that plagues some more popular spots in Japan.
Bask in Nature and Scenic Beauty
Located 1,200m above sea level, Okuhida-Onsengo affords peerless panoramas of the surrounding mountains where the change of seasons can be felt and seen more clearly through pronounced temperature and color changes in the foliage.
Surrounded by a few mountains including Kamikochi, Norikura, and Mount Kasagatake, Gifu Prefecture’s highest peak, Okuhida-Onsengo is also a popular base for hikers. It is an hour’s drive from a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Shirakawa-go, a traditional Japanese village complete with thatched roofs, that looks straight out of a postcard.
Soak in Onsen, Immerse in Culture
KAI Okuhida offers a chance to discover the beauty of the Okuhida mountains and also appreciate the culture and craftsmanship of the Hida region, which is the birthplace of some of the best crafts in Japan.
Its location and design enable guests to enjoy some of the best mineral-rich waters in Japan. After all, Okuhida-Onsengo boasts over 100 hot spring sources, each with its unique characteristics, including simple springs, sulfur springs, hydrogen carbonate springs, and chloride springs.
Designed to resemble a hot spring village, KAI Okuhida’s baths and common spaces are connected by walkways. The ryokan comprises two accommodation buildings, a bathhouse (which has separate outdoor and indoor baths for men and women) and an annex building.
All rooms offer spectacular views of the surrounding Hida mountains so that guests may see the beauty of the seasons throughout the year. Twenty-eight of the 49 rooms have an open-air onsen bath.
Discover the Best of Hida Craftsmanship
Each KAI Signature Room features contemporary decorations produced with local craft traditions for an immersive regional cultural stay.
All 49 guest rooms are designed in the “Hida MOKU no Ma” style, where the warmth of natural wood and the essence of Hida permeate every detail. In contrast to the subdued tones of the ryokan’s exterior, the guest rooms feature vibrant accents of red, reminiscent of the dazzling floats seen in the Takayama Festival.
Traditional Hida Shunkei lacquerware adorns the walls and room signs, while original Hida-dyed cushions add pops of color. These touches bring the beauty of Hida’s handicrafts into the intimate space of the guest rooms.
The modern headboard that covers the bed in a KAI Signature room is made with “mageki", a renowned wood bending technique from Hida. The technique of “Suki-urushi" used in the making of “Hida-Shunkei", a lacquerware from Takayama in Gifu, is used to bring out the grain of the wood in the wall arts that adorn the rooms.
The curved wood chairs in the rooms are made by Hida Sangyo, a local furniture maker, using broadleaf trees sourced from Hida City. Lanterns crafted from 800-year-old Sanchu Japanese paper cast a soft, inviting glow.
More than half the guest rooms – 28 out of 49 in total, offer the luxury of an open-air bath and a sofa where guests can relax after their soak, still enveloped in the warmth of the hot spring.
Gifu’s Gourmet Delights
At any KAI, kaiseki meals featuring premium seasonal, local ingredients are par for the course. At KAI Okuhida, Hida beef, which is famous for its soft, buttery texture and light aftertaste, is available in the special Kaiseki menu. However, it will be served with a twist on tradition. Instead of the classic way of serving it on magnolia leaves, Hida beef that has been cooked lightly will be served inside a “tsuto" wrapper made of straw. Guests can then grill it to their liking before eating. For a warmer and more authentic atmosphere, the serving tables are made of old wood reminiscent of the wooden edges of an “irori" fireplace, one of the characteristics of Okuhida traditional houses.
