Hotel Indigo Karuizawa
Address: Nagakura 18-39 Yashikizoe, Kitasaku District, Nagano 389-0111
Date of our Stay: February 19th, 2022
Check in Time: 3:00pm Check out Time: 11:00am
Cost: 59,000 IHG points for the stay
We rated this hotel ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Definitely would stay here again
Why Karuizawa? Karuizawa is located high in the mountains and is very cold to cool all year long! It is a great place to enjoy some snow, or escape the summer heat. There are also various hot springs (We suggest Tombo Onsen) and a very nice waterfall near by (Karuizawa Shiraito Falls). It is a resort town, so you can escape the hustle and bustle of the big city and enjoy some relaxing nature.
Hotel Indego is located 30 minutes on foot or 5 minutes by taxi from the Karuizawa Station South Exit. It’s grand opening was on February 17th, 2022, and the YPC team was lucky to be able to stay only a few days later on the 19th! The hotel offers 155 guest rooms, a restaurant, the lobby also doubles as a lounge in the after noon, and in-door and out-door bathing. One of the highlights of our stay was the out-door bath with carbonated water. There is also a Lawsons Convenience Store diagonally across the street and a Yakiniku (Japanese BBQ) restaurant near by.
We purchased the JR Tokyo Wide Pass which let us have unlimited travel on JR Trains and the Shinkansen for 3 consecutive days.
You can purchase the ticket online and redeem at one of the ticket window in the station. In this case, we picked up our tickets at the Yokohama Station (Please keep in mind, you will need to scan your foreign passport at the ticket window machine in order to pickup the pass).
Adult (12 years and older) = 10,180 Yen
Children (6-11 years old) = 5,090 Yen
It is an amazing deal because a one-way ticket from Tokyo to Kuruizawa is already 5,500 yen. We used it round trip from Tokyo to Kuruizawa and went around Tokyo on second day. We were even able to visit Kamakura on the last day!
We departed on the Shinkansen from Tokyo Station and it took us about 1 hour and 5 minutes to arrive at Karuizawa Station.
Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza is right outside of the Karuizawa Station South Exit, and is known as one of the best outlet malls in Japan. We definitely recommend leaving some time in your schedule to enjoy some shopping here.
It takes about 30 minutes to walk from Kuruizawa Station to Hotel Indigo.
This is a brand new hotel, we were here on their 3rd day from opening.
This is the hotel lobby and reserved us hot tea and desserts during the check in progress.
It was so tasty and it warms up your body in the snow.
On the way to our room. The building has 3 stories and we requested to be on the high floor.
The hall way is very modern and elegant looking.
We got upgraded from Garden View to River View.
Let’s take a look.
Bathroom is super nice. Separate Shower and Bathtub in Japanese Style.
They provide all the amenities that you need, even included a mini sewing kit. I am impressed.
Our room was super comfortable and there is an amazing balcony that you can enjoy your romantic snow view.
It was 3 degree in Celsius. It was so cold but Seeing Snow was the reason why we came all the way to Karuizawa.
We decided to enjoy our dinner at the hotel restaurant - Kagaribi.
There are also many restaurants nearby the hotel and a Lawson right across from the hotel.
Menu at Kagaribi. They also serve the same menu for room serving and it will be about 200-300 Yen higher than dining in the restaurant.
Crackers with Olive Oil
Free Drinks or Points?
As a IHG Platinum member, you can choose having a free drink or points for your stay. We got a glass of house red wine for our drinks.
Penne Bolognese with Shinshu Beef 2700 Yen
King Crab and Watercress Bavettine 3,500 Yen
My favorite part of this hotel is the Public Bath.
It is very secured, you will be given a special room key card for the ladies so you can access to the Lady Bathroom.
Inside the public bath, there are lockers and changing room, including indoor and outdoor bath pools.
It feels very much like the Japanese natural Onsen.
We rated this hotel ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Definitely would stay here again
Pros: This is a brand new hotel, very clean and modern. The public bath is amazing. They provide towels, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and everything you need.
Cons: Nothing to complain, just a little far from the station but it is walkable distance. The cost is $$$; however, it is a 5 stars hotel and very worth it.
Would you stay here?
