Resort Japan K.K., a Housing Japan Group company, opened Cedars Hotel on February 15, 2026, in the Tsugaike area of Otari Village, Hakuba Valley, Nagano. The property marks Resort Japan’s third hotel in the region, following Nomad, which opened in 2017, and Blue Star Hotel, which launched in 2025. With just 16 keys across three room types, Cedars offers a luxury self-contained mountain retreat with direct ski-in, ski-out access to Tsugaike Kogen Ski Resort.
A Design Rooted in the Japanese Mountain Landscape
The building was designed by Shinsaku Munemoto of Shinsaku Munemoto & Associates Architects. Munemoto founded his practice in 2006 after earning his Ph.D. from Kyoto University’s Graduate School of Engineering and spending seven years at Nikken Sekkei, one of Japan’s largest architectural firms. He is currently a Professor in the Department of Architecture and Urban Design at Ritsumeikan University. His firm has been recognized with multiple awards.
At Cedars Hotel, Munemoto employed an offset structure, a staggered arrangement of rooms that gives each guestroom a distinct sightline and a degree of privacy unusual in a multi-room hotel. The offset layout means each space faces a slightly different angle, capturing different views of mountain ridgelines and the shifting quality of alpine light throughout the day.
The material palette draws directly from the local landscape of Nagano. Locally sourced cedar finished using the traditional Japanese yakisugi technique, where the timber is carefully charred to enhance its durability and surface texture, runs through the interior. This charred cedar appears at the front desk, bookshelves, and elevator hall. Concrete walls throughout the hotel are cast using cedar board molds, leaving the wood grain pressed into the surface. The result is a material conversation between warm timber and cool concrete that feels calm and considered rather than decorative.
“Inside, concrete surfaces imprinted with cedar grain are paired with accents of charred cedar, creating a calm and substantial atmosphere that highlights the beauty of natural materials,” said Seigo Sasaki, President and CEO of Resort Japan K.K. “We hope guests will enjoy moments of spacious comfort in a setting where functionality and design are seamlessly integrated.”
Three Room Types for Every Stay
Cedars offers 16 accommodations across three configurations, each fully self-contained with a kitchen and washing machine, practical for short stays, extended mountain visits, and workations alike.
Studio Rooms
Up to 3 guests, 2 single beds + 1 sofa bed. A versatile space with a fully equipped kitchenette and shower room. Well suited to solo travelers or couples wanting flexibility.
One-Bedroom suites
Up to 2 guests, 2 single beds + 1 sofa bed. A refined mountain apartment with a complete kitchen, separate living area, and shower room.
Two-Bedroom suites
Up to 4 guests, 4 single beds + 1 sofa bed. The most spacious option, with two separate bedrooms, a deep soaking bathtub, a fully equipped kitchen, dedicated living area, and panoramic alpine views.
Every room comes equipped with air conditioning, WiFi, Android TV, refrigerator, cooking utensils, microwave, and full bathroom amenities including shampoo, conditioner, and body soap.
Ski-In, Ski-Out Access and Nearby Resorts
Tsugaike Kogen Ski Resort is one minute on foot from the hotel, giving guests immediate access to the gondola lifts without the need for transfers or shuttle buses. The resort is well regarded for its wide courses and reliable snow conditions, and it has built a strong following among international visitors, particularly from Australia and other English-speaking countries. For guests who want to explore the broader Hakuba Valley, Hakuba Norikura Onsen Ski Resort is a 15-minute walk, Hakuba Cortina is 5 minutes by car, Hakuba Iwatake Snow Field is 6 minutes by car, and Hakuba Happo-One is 10 minutes by car.
“We are truly delighted to open Cedars in the remarkable setting of Tsugaike,” said Sasaki. “While the hotel enjoys exceptional convenience with direct access to the ski resort, stepping indoors reveals a quiet retreat where guests can take in panoramic views of the Northern Alps without concern for surrounding sightlines.”
Year-Round Appeal and the Allpress Café
Cedars Hotel is designed for all seasons. In warmer months, Tsugaike Nature Park, situated at an altitude of 1,900 meters, offers trekking through high-altitude marshlands and alpine flora. The park’s trails are accessible to a wide range of fitness levels and are particularly striking during spring wildflower season and autumn foliage.
An on-site café developed in partnership with Allpress Espresso, a specialty coffee brand founded in New Zealand with a wide following across Australia and Japan, is scheduled to open in mid-February 2026. The café will serve quality food and coffee within the hotel, adding a social anchor to what is already a well-appointed stay.
