Mampei Hotel


2017.11.29

NAVITIME TRAVEL EDITOR

Mampei Hotel

Mampei Hotel can be found at the end of an idyllic country lane which embodies all the charm of the building itself. As a well-known and treasured establishment located in the old town of Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture, the hotel boasts an impressive clientele.

  • Mampei Hotel

    Mampei Hotel

    The hotel is steeped in history and was once known as the Kameya Inn during the Edo period. However, it wasn’t until 1894 that the hotel was transformed into a piece of Karuizawa history. Its then owner Mampei Sato opened what was still a hostel to missionaries who were newly allowed into Japan. He prided himself on personally looking after and cooking for his guests. With Mampei’s death, his son Kunisaburo Sato renamed the hotel the Mampei Hotel in his father’s honour.

    Mampei Hotel

    Mampei Hotel

    Mampei Hotel is filled with beautiful works of art which compliment the outstanding beauty of the building itself. The gables and traditional white facade were creations of Gonkuro Kume who sought to imitate the houses of silk farmers from Nagano’s Saku region. The architecture of the hotel is true to Kume’s belief in creating structures that merge with nature. Also worth seeing are the stained-glass windows created by artist Hideo Unozawa.

    Mampei Hotel

    Mampei Hotel

    Mampei Hotel isn’t just a place to rest your head, the hotel itself could be considered as one of Karuizawa’s great tourist attractions. In fact even the great John Lennon was charmed by the hotel, having spent four summers at Mampei during his time in Japan. Guests of the hotel can still see the piano he used to play during his stays here. With its spacious modern rooms, classy bar, and restaurant staffed with the finest quality chefs serving up a choice of French, Chinese, and Japanese dishes with only the freshest of ingredients, a stay at Mampei Hotel will surely feature in the highlights reel of any trip to Karuizawa.

    Mampei Hotel

    Mampei Hotel

    The hotel café that is considered another highlight of the hotel with seating both inside and outside to enjoy the surrounding forest view. From the cafe terrace there is also plenty of walking trails through the woods to give visitors the sense of tranquility and peace that the town is known for.

    Mampei Hotel

    Mampei Hotel

    As the café is open to the public, it can get crowded on weekends and during peak season. The menu offers extravagant tarts, cakes and pies made from local apples and blueberries. Most famous on the menu is the royal milk tea which is thought to be in honour of John Lennon who taught the staff his recipe.

    Mampei Hotel

    Mampei Hotel

    Depending on the weather, the walk from Karuizawa Station to the Mampei Hotel can be beautiful. If visitors are interested in wandering through quaint Japanese countryside the walk will take about 30-minutes from the station or 10-minutes from the Karuizawa Ginza shopping street. Buses are not an option but a taxi ride is only 10-minutes from the main station. Those wanting to stay in Karuizawa should also note that the hotel is closed from January to early March due to Japan’s harsh winter.

    Manbei Hotel
    rating

    4.0

    372 Reviews
    place
    Nagano Kitasaku-gun Karuizawamachi Karuizawa 925
    phone
    0267421234
    opening-hour
    9:30-18:00 (9:00- on 7/23-8/…
    info
    https://www.mampei.co.jp/index/english/
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