Karuizawa Forest Seasons Villa

An absolutely perfect experience. The host truly knows how to eat, play, and live well, and we felt that wholeheartedly throughout our stay. I especially loved the fireplace at night and the Christmas Eve bonfire – they completely transformed the winter ambiance. Karuizawa is a wonderful place to relax both body and mind, with a seamless blend of architecture and nature everywhere you look. I hope to return to Mori Shiki to experience Karuizawa in another season.

The place looks exactly like the photos, no exaggeration at all. The entire house is enveloped by nature. In the mornings, I meditated and read in the garden with birds singing in the woods – it truly felt like my body was completely at one with nature. The owner mentioned that this particular unit boasts the largest garden among all their room types and was designed to mimic the architecture of the Kogen Church. The upstairs features an open sleeping area with four futons, which could easily accommodate six people. Downstairs also offers a tatami sleeping area. One thing to note is that sound travels easily between floors, as they are all open-plan rooms. The bathroom facilities are absolutely fantastic! With a built-in drying system and a hairdryer, the floor dries instantly after you shower. All the room amenities felt like they were from premium brands. My favorite item, surprisingly, was the trash can, haha! It's exactly the kind of setup Shanghai's waste classification system desperately needs. I'm already 'sold' on it and planning to get one myself, haha! Guests can also cook their own meals here. The owner's breakfast was not only generous but also incredibly delicious. I'll definitely have to try the steak for dinner next time – I'm sure it's excellent. The owner was incredibly kind and patient, helping us arrange taxis and even providing pick-up and drop-off services. We're very grateful. Karuizawa's summer weather is wonderfully comfortable and refreshing. The hotel's location is also fantastic, within walking distance of the Wild Bird Forest. Just a quick note: breakfast and dinner need to be reserved in advance!

This vacation far exceeded our expectations! The cozy bungalow was spotlessly clean and well-maintained, with a fully equipped kitchenette including a stove and fridge. The biggest highlight was definitely being able to have a BBQ every evening in the beautiful private courtyard. The host was incredibly attentive and welcoming, even driving us to the supermarket whenever we needed to shop for groceries. We're already looking forward to returning in winter to experience the stunning snowy mountain scenery!

Five of us stayed at 'Shi' for two incredibly delightful days! The villa's ambiance and facilities were all exceptional, but the standout feature was definitely the kitchen island – it was so functional and impressive. On our second night, our Hong Kong friend cooked a fantastic dinner for everyone, and the owner, seeing us in action, thoughtfully gifted us a bottle of sake. Its fruity, crisp, and clean flavor was absolutely perfect as a post-dinner drink while the five of us enjoyed a hot spring foot bath in the courtyard. What a treat! Plus, the owner personally provided pick-up and drop-off service to and from the train station, which made enjoying the secluded forest villa area incredibly convenient. Highly recommended!

What a dream cabin we found in Karuizawa! It was clean, charming, and comfortable. The owner couple were incredibly friendly. We appreciated having a fully equipped kitchen to cook our own meals. The location was fantastic – within walking distance of Hoshino Resort, Harunire Terrace, Stone Church, and Kogen Church. Our kids absolutely loved it! Highly recommended, 5 stars!

The place looked even better in person than in the photos. As soon as we entered the room, there was a subtle, pleasant aroma. The layout was fantastic, the decor was exquisite, and the amenities were top-notch. The bedding was incredibly soft, smelled wonderfully fresh and clean, and was perfectly dry – I absolutely loved it! The garden was also incredibly beautiful, with meticulously maintained greenery. I'm genuinely looking forward to my next stay. The host also helped us resolve a few transportation issues and was incredibly responsive and accommodating.