ANA InterContinental Appi Kogen Resort ANAインターコンチネンタル安比高原リゾート 安比高原全日空洲際度假酒店

ANA InterContinental Appi Kogen Resort is a small luxury resort hotel with just 38 rooms, located slope-side at Appi Kogen in Hachimantai, Iwate Prefecture. Opened in 2022, it is the first InterContinental-branded resort in the Tohoku region and serves as the flagship property of the APPI Resort area. The hotel has earned international recognition, including a “MICHELIN Key,” and is popular as a base for winter skiing as well as for enjoying the highland scenery from spring through autumn.

One of the hotel’s defining features is its approach to personalized, full-service hospitality “from arrival to departure.” All guests receive a seamless series of included experiences: a welcome drink at check-in, afternoon tea, evening apéro time, and breakfast the following morning. Rather than a club-lounge-only service, these offerings are available to every guest, with the lounge and lobby spaces serving as relaxing hubs throughout the day. Turndown service is also provided in the evening, appealing to guests who appreciate thoughtful touches and a resort-like sense of care.

The 38 guest rooms span seven categories, all positioned at a “Club InterContinental” level of service. Every room offers views of the ski slopes—snow-covered in winter and lush green or vividly colored in other seasons. The design concept emphasizes harmony with Appi’s natural surroundings, incorporating woods, soft seasonal tones, and motifs inspired by the highland landscape. Details such as washi panels evoking clouds or snow and floor-specific rug patterns themed around sunrise or the “Dragon Eye” provide a unified sense of place.

Bathrooms follow a design theme of “stone and white wood,” and many are view-bath types with large windows overlooking the slopes. Four of the seven room types feature hinoki cypress–lined soaking tubs, allowing guests to enjoy an open-air–like bathing experience from the comfort of their room. Even the standard Twin and King rooms are spacious, while larger suites—including a 300sqm Presidential Suite—are available for long stays, celebrations, or multi-generational travel.

The hotel’s large hot-spring bath area includes two contrasting bathing spaces: a rock bath and a hinoki bath, which alternate daily between men’s and women’s use. The spring water is clear and gentle, ideal for refreshing tired bodies after skiing or hiking. With clean and well-designed locker and powder-room areas, guests can choose between a private in-room soak or a full hot-spring experience.

Public spaces include a high-ceilinged lobby lounge, a tea house–inspired area that extends over a reflecting pond, and a rooftop terrace facing the slopes. Afternoon tea and apéro service are often enjoyed in these spaces, allowing guests to relax indoors or outdoors while taking in the seasonal scenery of Appi. Complimentary Wi-Fi is available throughout the property, making the resort suitable for workations and extended stays.

The main dining venue is “Shiratsuyu,” a restaurant that blends Japanese and French influences. With a “Farm to Table” philosophy, it showcases regional ingredients such as Mutsu-area vegetables, Maesawa beef, Appi’s Takumi Prime Pork®, and seafood from the Sanriku coast. Breakfast is served here buffet-style, with freshly baked pastries, salads, fruits, and made-to-order items like eggs Benedict and selected Japanese dishes. The relaxed pace makes it ideal for guests who prefer to enjoy a slow morning.

The intimate bar “MOCCO” offers a quiet, hideaway-style atmosphere with Japanese sake, whisky, and original cocktails. A wine cellar is also available, making the bar suitable for both a post-dinner drink and longer, bar-centered evenings. The hotel’s shop carries local Appi and Iwate souvenirs, wines, snacks, and essentials—convenient for in-room enjoyment or last-minute purchases before departure.

In winter, the hotel offers nearly ski-in/ski-out access to the slopes of Appi Kogen Ski Resort, one of the largest in Tohoku. With a total course length of about 43 km and more than 20 runs, the resort is known for its exceptional “miracle silky snow,” considered some of the best in Japan. The variety of runs makes it easy for mixed-ability groups to enjoy the same ski area together. From spring to autumn, the resort serves as a base for golf, trekking, and sightseeing throughout the highland region, with different seasonal experiences available.

Access to Appi Kogen is available via seasonal shuttle and local buses from JR Morioka Station, with travel time typically around one hour. There is also a route via Appi-Kogen Station, and during certain seasons, area shuttles connect the station with nearby hotels. For those arriving by car, the resort is about 15–20 minutes from the Matsuo-Hachimantai IC or Ashiro IC on the Tohoku Expressway. Parking is available in front of the hotel for both private cars and rental vehicles. As transportation schedules and parking operations vary by season, checking the latest information on the official Appi Kogen and hotel websites is recommended.

Overall, ANA InterContinental Appi Kogen Resort is ideal for travelers who prefer a quiet, small-scale luxury hotel with attentive service rather than a large resort. With all rooms facing the slopes, hot-spring baths and view baths, inclusive daily food and drink offerings, and a restaurant that highlights local ingredients, the hotel suits not only ski-focused trips but also relaxing stays centered on hot springs, dining, and mountain scenery. It is a compelling choice for anyone considering an elevated resort experience in the mountains of Tohoku.