As Australians flock to Japan each winter in search of powder snow and alpine adventure, there is another, quieter side of the season that rewards those who slow down. A stay at a ryokan, a traditional Japanese inn, is one of the country's most immersive cultural experiences, but in winter it becomes something truly special.

Slipping into mineral-rich hot springs as snow falls softly around you is a deeply restorative ritual, cherished by locals who consider winter the finest time to bathe. Inside, tatami rooms with plush, layered futons create a cosy retreat, where evenings unfold at an unhurried pace, inviting a deeper sense of presence.

Winter is also when kaiseki dining showcases the best of the season—prized seafood, regional specialities, and nourishing hot pot dishes which transform long winter nights into indulgent, memorable occasions.

KAI is a leading brand of hot spring ryokan by Hoshino Resorts, renowned for its hot springs, cultural experiences, and kaiseki cuisine across 22 properties in Japan. For travellers seeking to balance ski days with deep relaxation or to experience Japan beyond the slopes, KAI offers an ideal introduction.

Designed to reflect local culture, seasonal scenery, and regional cuisine, its ryokan exemplify why winter is the most rewarding time to stay.

Here are four standout KAI properties that showcase the very best of Japan's winter ryokan experience.

Hoshino Resorts KAI Poroto – A Serene Winter Onsen Retreat in Japan's Snowy North

This tranquil lakeside ryokan in Shiraoi Town, Hokkaido, overlooks snow-covered Lake Poroto, with all guest rooms designed to capture uninterrupted lake views. The property is infused with Ainu cultural influences, from birch-inspired interiors to artworks that reflect the heritage of northern Japan, creating a strong sense of place that feels both contemporary and deeply rooted in local tradition.

Winter is when KAI Poroto is at its most atmospheric. Guests can soak in rare moor hot springs in the conical-roofed bathhouse that extends toward the frozen lake, or from private open-air baths in select rooms, enjoying a feeling of floating amid a pristine white landscape. Evenings are warmed by the Northern Seafood Daigo Nabe Kaiseki, a seasonal hot pot featuring Hokkaido's prized seafood, served in Ainu-inspired vessels and perfectly suited to long, snowy nights.

Hoshino Resorts KAI Tsugaru – A Refined Winter Stay Celebrating Tsugaru's Cultural Traditions

This secluded hot spring ryokan in Owani Onsen, near Hirosaki in Aomori Prefecture is where deep winter snow creates an enchanting atmosphere. From December through March, the property is wrapped in white, with February bringing the appearance of illuminated igloos decorated with traditional Tsugaru Kogin-zashi patterns. Guest rooms and public spaces are richly detailed with this distinctive local embroidery, and guests can also take part in hands-on craft experiences that offer insight into how Tsugaru culture has evolved to endure long northern winters.

Winter bathing and dining are central to the experience. A spacious bathhouse overlooks a snow-covered water garden, softly lit by lanterns and scented with apples, Aomori's iconic fruit, creating a soothing setting for a long soak. Evenings are anchored by the Oma Tuna Extravaganza Kaiseki, showcasing Japan's most prized tuna through sashimi, nigiri sushi and warming negima nabe, best enjoyed with local Aomori sake for a deeply seasonal taste of the region.

Hoshino Resorts KAI Alps – A Warming Countryside Experience in Shinshu Winter

Hoshino Resorts KAI Alps sits at the gateway to Omachi Onsen in Nagano, at the foot of the Northern Alps and within easy reach of the Hakuba ski area. Designed to evoke the warmth of a traditional Shinshu countryside home, the ryokan welcomes guests with a snow-country gangi arcade and an inviting irori hearth, where hosts serve local specialities such as freshly made oyaki dumplings and warm sake. From mid-December to March, the surrounding alpine scenery is at its most beautiful, creating a comforting retreat after days on the slopes.

Winter bathing and dining are highlights. The open-air bath offers views of the snow-capped Northern Alps, allowing guests to soak in hot springs with more than 400 years of history amid crisp mountain air. Evenings are defined by the signature Yuki Nabe Kaiseki, a seasonal hot pot inspired by alpine snowmelt, where melting cotton candy symbolises the mountains' thaw and reveals the rich flavours of Shinshu's local ingredients, an experience that engages all the senses.

Hoshino Resorts KAI Okuhida – A Mountain Onsen Retreat in Japan's Snowy Alps

Hoshino Resorts KAI Okuhida is a mountain ryokan set within the snow-laden Okuhida Onsen area of Gifu Prefecture, surrounded by the Northern Alps and renowned for its abundant hot spring waters. In winter, the property is transformed by deep snowfall, with open-air baths inspired by the region's dramatic “snow corridors” and a softly illuminated courtyard that brings the silver mountain landscape into close view, creating a deeply atmospheric and restorative stay.

Guest rooms, including the Hida MOKU no Ma Room, pair natural wood finishes with local craftsmanship, and select rooms feature private open-air baths where guests can soak while gazing out over pristine snow. Dining centres on regional flavours, highlighted by Hida Beef Miso Sukiyaki, which showcases premium local beef, rich miso and mountain ingredients. The ryokan also serves as a base for winter sightseeing, including trips to nearby Shirakawa-go, where snow-covered gassho-zukuri houses create one of Japan's most iconic winter scenes.

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About Hoshino Resorts

Hoshino Resorts was first established as a Japanese inn/ryokan in 1914 in Karuizawa in Nagano Prefecture before it began the operation of other resorts in Japan. Today, it has evolved into a highly influential hotel management company and is run by 4th-generation family member Yoshiharu Hoshino. Providing a unique experience focused on the local charms of each destination and a high level of omotenashi, Japanese-style hospitality, the company has expanded rapidly out of Karuizawa since 2001 and now operates more than 60 accommodations both in and outside Japan with one of the following categories: luxury hotel brand “HOSHINOYA,” onsen ryokan brand “KAI,” countryside resort hotel brand “RISONARE,” city tourism hotel brand “OMO,” free-spirited hotel brand “BEB,” mountain hotel brand “LUCY,” or other unique lodgings.

https://www.hoshinoresorts.com/en/  

About KAI

KAI is a leading brand of hot spring ryokan where every establishment offers a contemporary take on a traditional Japanese inn whilst keeping Western comforts. KAI invites one to discover the multifaceted aspects of Japan through natural hot springs, exploration of local arts and entertainment, and classic Kaiseki-style course meals using local and seasonal flavours. Experience Washoku, Japanese cuisine, presented on carefully selected ceramics for full exposure to culinary sensations.