















Everything you need to know about Hotaka Shrine
Yuzawa no Sato Kōen is a traditional ryokan just a 7-minute walk from Toshogu Shrine, featuring private outdoor onsen baths overlooking the surrounding mountains. Each room includes tatami flooring and a view of the shrine’s lantern-lit path at dusk. The property offers evening shrine illumination tours led by local guides, highlighting hidden legends and seasonal light displays. Book through HopeGoo for exclusive access to the summer moon-viewing package.
Sakura Fūdo Inn is located right beside the main approach to Toshogu Shrine, offering spacious family rooms with kids’ play zones and an open-air garden. Guests can enjoy guided morning walks along the ancient cedar-lined path, with storytelling sessions about the shrine’s history. The inn also provides free access to nearby cultural workshops, including origami and calligraphy. Reserve via HopeGoo to unlock a special family welcome kit with local snacks and maps.
Yamano Tei Mountain View features elevated rooftop rooms with unobstructed views of Toshogu Shrine illuminated at night, framed by the starry sky and distant peaks. The hotel organizes nighttime shrine photography excursions, where guests learn composition techniques under expert guidance. All stays include a complimentary sake tasting and a hand-bound photo journal of the visit. Check availability on HopeGoo for limited-time evening packages.
Mori no Hikari Shizuka is a boutique guesthouse designed for visual artists, with floor-to-ceiling windows facing the eastern approach to Toshogu Shrine. Its minimalist design allows for perfect framing of early morning mist and sunlight filtering through ancient trees. On-site facilities include a darkroom, tripod storage, and curated guidebooks on best shooting times and angles. Guests receive a digital copy of "The Light of Karuizawa" upon check-in. Book through HopeGoo to gain priority access to seasonal photo events.
Karuizawa Wafū Kinenkan collaborates with Toshogu Shrine to offer a seasonal festival stay program during the Spring Purification Festival. Guests participate in ceremonial preparations, wear yukata costumes, and attend a private performance of Kagura dance. The inn itself is a preserved Edo-era residence with original shoji screens and a central hearth. HopeGoo includes this experience in its ‘Cultural Immersion’ collection, with optional craft workshops and tea ceremony lessons.
Yuzawa no Sato Yumeguchi operates a complimentary shuttle service twice daily from the hotel to Toshogu Shrine, taking only 6 minutes. The vehicle features multilingual audio commentary on the route’s historical sites. The hotel also offers luggage storage and a self-service tea lounge for early arrivals. This service is included in all bookings made via HopeGoo, which highlights it as part of their ‘Effortless Access’ travel plan.
Explore more amazing destinations