There are plenty of short-range trips you can take from Tokyo for a wellness retreat; it seems like the majority heads south to onsen-dense Fuji/Kawaguchiko and Hakone. But please, consider a northern jaunt instead, to Nikko specifically. To Ritz-Carlton Nikko, even more specifically. Here is an escape whose offerings change with the season; after a 2-hour ride on the Shinkansen bullet train, you’ll grab a Ritz-Carlton chauffeur to navigate the single-lane, winding ride uphill to the property. There you’ll get a reward: An expansive view over Lake Chuzenji; we got it in snowy cozy winter (with monkeys and deer mingling in the foreground); they say it’s somehow even more beautiful in summer and fall.
This is the antithesis of chaotic Tokyo, too: You can soak in their gendered spas with outdoor onsens—what a treat, at 10pm in the height of winter—or partake in any number of wellness activities offsite. We opted for snowshoeing with the most charming and hilarious guide, and visited the nearby temple to assemble prayer beads (blessed on the spot) to add intentionality to our visit. There’s also star gazing, picturesque tea services, hiking and lake strolls, plus world-class dining. Another highlight (among dozens of them) was the Restorative Rock Ritual spa treatment, which incorporates sacred spring water, natural salt from the revered Futarasan Shrine, and volcanic basalt stones to stimulate circulation, calm muscles, and have you looking radiant as you reach new levels of calm. Please, go here.
From the article by Adam Hurly
