The brand-new international Nozo Hotel officially opens in Hokkaido’s powder snow paradise of Furano just in time for Christmas and Japan’s ski season on 19 December 2023.
Complete with spacious hot water baths, the chic but homely 78-room resort hotel (nozohotel.com) is just a three-minute walk from the world-famous powder snow and snowboarding slopes of picturesque Kitanomine, Furano – a hidden gem known as having some of the best powder snow in Japan and an ideal destination year-round for nature lovers.
With less than five floors, the hotel is respectfully designed in natural colours and materials, serving as a place to ‘live the moment,’ celebrating local culture, adventure, and nature. Bright, minimalist guest rooms are styled in light wood tones with calm grey stone flooring and blue-toned bathrooms, representing the spirit of Hokkaido.
Superior and Deluxe rooms can accommodate two, with larger Family Rooms and Junior Suites for families.With a relaxed outdoor terrace, Nozo Hotel’s Shirakaba Restaurant serves a western and Japanese breakfast buffet; lunch ranges from pizzas and sandwiches to sushi and local seasonal specialties. Dinner choices include French-inspired international cuisine, fresh seafood treasures of Hokkaido, premium teppanyaki, and specialty ingredients from nearby fields and pastures. Guests can indulge in the tastes of local ingredients directly from farmers with options at the sushi or teppanyaki counters.
Homely ‘Buna Bar Lounge’ is a social ‘living room’ hub around a large fireplace; for coffee, tea, and snacks – backed by a chic nostalgic bar serving trendy cocktails, Hokkaido beer, and a wide collection of whisky, wine, and sake from local brewers and international winemakers to pamper everyone’s palate.
At Cou Cou Bakery, freshly baked bread is served daily using local Furano and Biei wheat flour for authentic hard-style Japanese bread. The hotel’s Sugi Spa is separated into two areas by gender. Each area boasts both an indoor and outdoor hot bath, the outdoor one fitted with a skylight to allow fresh open air bathing. Meanwhile, cold water dips and saunas provide for additional soothing relaxation and rejuvenation.
For bigger group events, there is an open-plan event room that accommodates up to 50 for small-scale private social gatherings, weddings, corporate events and exhibitions. Facilities extend to a Kids Room with toys and games where families can play and have fun – along with a gym for workouts, coin laundry, ski lockers, shop for daily necessities and Hokkaido souvenirs, and the convenience of an ATM.
The first of a planned boutique resort brand, the minimalist retreat caters for both international and Japanese guests. Nestled between the Yubari and Tokachidake mountain ranges, Nozo Hotel is not only a winter ski resort but a retreat for all seasons, with activities extending to biking, hiking, and water rafting in summer, amid the beauty of nature that overwhelms visitors year-round.
Furano itself is a location that appeals to travellers at home and abroad throughout the entire year. In spring, witness the gushing water flow of the rivers when the snow melts. In summer, the land is adorned with a variety of colours. You can even ride in a hot air balloon to overlook the vast, fascinating lavender fields. Furano is also known for its abundance of agricultural produce, such as Yubari melon, watermelon, corn, white asparagus, potatoes, Furano pork, Tokachi beef, and dairy products, including locally produced cheese and wines. Autumn brings the harvest festival. Then in winter, the area is enveloped in high-quality white powder snow, making it enjoyable throughout the year.
Nozo Hotel is easily reached by direct international flight to Sapporo’s New Chitose Airport, which is a two-hour drive from the hotel, or by domestic flights from Tokyo or Osaka. Its closest domestic airport is Asahikawa Airport, a scenic one-hour drive from the hotel.
Guests who book a 3-night consecutive stay at Nozo Hotel for stays between 19 December 2023 and 30 September 2024 will receive a 10% discount, while those who book a stay for five consecutive nights will receive 20% off the regular price for stays during the same period.
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