Kyukaruiazawa Kikyo Curio Collection by Hilton 旧軽井沢KIKYO キュリオ・コレクションbyヒルトン Kyukaruizawa Kikyo，希爾頓格芮精選酒店

Kyukaruizawa KIKYO, Curio Collection by Hilton is a 50-room lifestyle hotel located in the Old Karuizawa area of Karuizawa Town, Nagano Prefecture. It is the first property in Japan under Hilton’s upscale “Curio Collection by Hilton” brand. Situated within easy reach of Old Karuizawa Ginza Street and Kumoba Pond, the hotel lies in a tranquil villa district about a 15-minute walk or roughly a 5-minute complimentary shuttle ride from JR Karuizawa Station on the Hokuriku Shinkansen line. From Tokyo Station, Karuizawa can be reached in just over an hour by Shinkansen, making the location ideal for short weekend getaways from the metropolitan area. On-site parking is available for staying guests.

The name “KIKYO” combines the bellflower native to Karuizawa (kikyō) with the Japanese word meaning “returning home,” expressing the hotel’s concept of offering a sense of comfort akin to coming back to one’s hometown. The low-rise buildings are arranged around a central courtyard, featuring an exterior and interior design based on calm tones of white and navy. Artworks incorporating the bellflower motif in traditional Karuizawa wood carving are displayed in the lobby and lounge, creating a blend of villa-like serenity and modern elegance.

Despite its intimate scale of 50 rooms, approximately 90% of the guestrooms exceed 40 m². Categories include Superior Rooms (approx. 34 m²), Deluxe Rooms with balconies, Courtyard Deluxe Rooms, Premium Rooms, Premium Rooms with tatami corners, Courtyard Suites, and the top-category KIKYO Suite. Deluxe and Courtyard Deluxe Rooms range between 40–48 m², the Courtyard Suite spans about 56 m², and the KIKYO Suite measures approximately 99 m². Most rooms accommodate two guests comfortably, while selected categories can host three to four guests with the addition of extra bedding.

Interiors are defined by simple, refined aesthetics, using white and indigo as the base palette. Art panels above the beds feature bellflower motifs carved in the traditional Karuizawa style. Beds are equipped with Serta mattresses, and the living area includes a desk and sofa with generous space. Courtyard-view rooms and suites offer balconies or terraces facing the garden, allowing guests to enjoy seasonal changes in the landscape. The KIKYO Suite includes a private terrace with direct access to the courtyard and outdoor seating, providing an enhanced sense of retreat.

Amenities are another distinctive aspect. Guestroom bath amenities feature “Tea Escape” from the REPLICA series by the Parisian fragrance brand Maison Margiela. Some plans also include retreat oils by the wellness brand BUDDHI, appealing to guests who value skincare and relaxation. All rooms come with a Nespresso machine and TWG tea selection, and minibar contents—including drinks and snacks—are complimentary, adding to the sense of premium comfort.

On the basement level, the “SILENT SPA” houses large communal baths, saunas, spa treatment rooms, and a 24-hour gym. The two bathing areas—one characterized by cherry wood and the other by marble and stone—alternate between men and women depending on the time of day. The gym is equipped with Technogym machines, providing options for light workouts during the stay. Together, these facilities support wellness-focused stays and “retreat-style” experiences in combination with time spent relaxing in the guestrooms.

Dining is centered around the casual restaurant “à table” on the ground floor. With a concept of showcasing the flavor of ingredients nurtured by the mountains and rivers of Shinshu, the restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and bar menu items throughout the day. Breakfast consists of a half-buffet featuring Shinshu vegetables along with made-to-order egg dishes. Lunch and dinner offer à la carte options and course meals highlighting local vegetables, meats, and Shinshu wines. Afternoon tea and takeout picnic boxes—ideal for Karuizawa outings—are also available.

The hotel emphasizes a theme of “welcome home” through its focus on local connections: using Shinshu-grown ingredients, collaborating with local producers, and incorporating imperfect produce sustainably. Weddings can be held in the green courtyard “Suittei” or in the on-site chapel, with options ranging from intimate gatherings to full-property rentals. Meeting and event spaces—including rooms named LUCAS, EVELYN, and CHLOE—support small gatherings, private dining, and corporate meetings.

For access, a complimentary shuttle service (reservation required) connects the hotel with Karuizawa Station’s north exit in approximately 5–10 minutes. Guests walking from the station can reach the hotel in about 15 minutes along a pleasant route toward Old Karuizawa. Nearby attractions include Old Karuizawa Ginza Street, Kumoba Pond, and the Karuizawa Shaw Memorial Church. With car or rental bicycle, popular destinations such as Naka-Karuizawa, the Hoshino area, and the outlet mall are also easily accessible.

Overall, Kyukaruizawa KIKYO, Curio Collection by Hilton offers a boutique-style stay defined by “spacious rooms equipped with Nespresso, TWG, and Maison Margiela amenities,” wellness-focused facilities including SILENT SPA, sauna, esthetic treatments, and a gym, and dining that highlights local Shinshu ingredients—all set within the quiet, leafy atmosphere of the Old Karuizawa villa district. It is an excellent choice not only for weekend getaways and special-occasion stays but also for extended visits and retreat-focused travel based in the Old Karuizawa area.