The hotel first opened in 1933 as a branch of the Imperial Hotel Tokyo and was Japan’s first mountain resort. Providing comfortable accommodation, this red-roofed Alpine-style lodge is a great place to relax after a long day hiking amid the beauty of Kamikochi National Park. With low beams and an open fire, the Grindewald Lounge is a particularly fine spot to enjoy a coffee or cocktail up in the mountains.

The 74 rooms and suites are Western in style, with beamed ceilings, twin beds, and en-suite bathrooms. Traditionally furnished, some have balconies and Family Rooms can accommodate up to four guests. There is also the option to book a One-Bedroom or Two-Bedroom Suite, which both have spacious and comfortably furnished living rooms.

Serving some of the best food available in the park, the Imperial’s Dining Room offers American breakfasts and French cuisine with Japanese influences, while Azusa-an specialises in the delicious tastes of Shinshu, with kaiseki, teppanyaki and shabu-shabu all available. For more casual dining in an Alpine-style environment, Alpenrose serves Western plates made with premium ingredients from Azumino. 

For relaxing during the day, the Grindewald Lounge serves coffee and pastries, while in the evening, Bar Horn will serve you an aperitif, mix you a cocktail or pour you a whiskey in an atmosphere reminiscent of a Swiss mountain chalet. Interestingly, the hotel serves 100% pure natural water filtered from the snow and rain that falls onto Mount Roppyaku. As the water is absorbed into the ground it is slowly filtered before welling up as spring water, which is piped directly to the hotel.