A bird ’ s eye view of Risonare Nasu , which opened in November
Tapping into society ’ s desire to unplug from the digital realm and reconnect with farms and outdoor living , the agritourism movement is taking root in Japan .
“ Japan has dramatic geography , seasonal changes and original local culture ,” says Naoko Matsuda , general manager of the Risonare Nasu . Located in Nasu , Tochigi prefecture , the hotel is less than two hours by bullet train and bus from Tokyo . “( This ) makes agriculture one of the best tourism platforms for families , who , along with women of all ages , are Risonare ’ s target markets .”
The hotel , which opened in November 2019 , is Nagano , Japan-based owner and operator Hoshino Resorts ’ fourth property of that brand . Previously the famed invitation-only Niki Club , the traditional ryokan inn includes 43 guestrooms between the original 1960s structure and a freestanding addition added in 1986 by London-based designer Sir Terence Conran . Hoshino Resorts commissioned Tokyo-based Klein Dytham architecture ( KDa ), which also designed the Risonare Yatsugatake and the Risonare Atami , to refresh the existing guesthouses and create a new agritourism activity hub .
A quad room
May 2020 hotelsmag . com 31