5 Star Hotels in Minakami, Gunma Prefecture

"I stayed at the Ritz-Carlton Nikko recently and honestly, it was one of the best hotel experiences I’ve ever had. The location alone makes it worth the trip — right on Lake Chuzenji, with the mountains and waterfalls of Nikko all around. It feels super peaceful and completely different from the city vibe of Tokyo. Rooms The rooms are huge by Japanese standards and beautifully designed. Think modern but with lots of Japanese touches — sliding doors, deep soaking tubs, and big windows that frame either the lake or the mountains. Mine had a lake view and waking up to that every morning was amazing. Food Food was excellent. Breakfast had both Japanese and Western options (the Japanese one was really special). Dinner was pricey, but the kaiseki course was worth it for the experience. If you want something lighter, there are cafés around the lake too. Onsen & Spa This is where the hotel really stands out. The onsen (hot spring) is incredible — both indoor and outdoor baths with natural hot spring water. Sitting outside in the hot bath while looking at the mountains was pure magic. Service super professional, but also warm and friendly. They remembered small details about preferences and made everything feel easy. Special thanks to Alex, Marek and Tiff. Overall If you’re heading to Nikko and want to splurge, this is the place. It’s not cheap, but it feels like an experience rather than just a hotel stay. Perfect for a co"