The Former Mikasa Hotel is one of the few purely Western-style wooden hotels in Japan designed and built by Japanese craftsmen during the late Meiji period. Opened in 1906, the hotel welcomed many prominent figures, politicians, and cultural figures and became known as the “Rokumeikan of Karuizawa.”
Its architectural and historical significance was officially recognized in 1980, when the building was designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan. Today, it remains one of the most valuable historic buildings for understanding the development of Karuizawa as an international summer resort.
The Former Mikasa Hotel was built in the inner part of Old Karuizawa by businessman Naoyoshi Yamamoto. The building was designed by architect Tokitaro Okada, while local carpenter Daizo Kobayashi was responsible for construction. The project was supervised by Manpei Sato, the founder of what would later become Mampei Hotel.
The architecture reflects a fascinating mixture of international influences. The exterior incorporates the American Stick Style with Gothic-inspired elements, while the doors have a distinctly British character and the exterior weatherboards show German influence.
Local materials were also used extensively. The timber was made from Japanese red pine from the nearby Kose area and was milled locally, giving the building a strong connection with the surrounding landscape.
From the time it opened, the Former Mikasa Hotel became a fashionable social gathering place for prominent figures from Japan and abroad.
Among its notable guests were Eiichi Shibusawa, Taku Dakimura, Tomosumi Sumitomo, General Nogi Maresuke, and Aisin-Gioro Puyi, the last emperor of China’s Qing dynasty.
The hotel is also known for having welcomed Michiko, Empress Emerita of Japan, before her marriage. During this period, interaction between Japanese guests and European and American summer visitors was particularly active, making the hotel a symbol of Karuizawa’s international cultural exchange.
During the Taisho period, grand dinner parties were held in the hotel’s reception rooms. These gatherings brought together prominent figures including Prince Fumimaro Konoe and his wife, Takeo Arishima, Ton Satomi, and Yoshichika Tokugawa.
Photographs of these occasions have survived, offering a glimpse into the sophisticated social life of Karuizawa during its early years as an international summer resort.
At the height of its popularity, the Former Mikasa Hotel consisted not only of the main building but also an annex, gardens, tennis courts, a swimming pool, and a cricket ground.
The grounds also included a pottery workshop where the celebrated ceramic artist Miyagawa Kozan produced pottery known as Mikasa-yaki. Artists such as Bernard Leach and Takichi Fujii also visited the hotel.
The hotel had 30 guest rooms with accommodation for approximately 40 people. Although it was relatively small and originally operated only for a limited period during the summer, its refined service attracted many discerning guests.
Curry and coffee served at the hotel have also been recreated based on their historic recipes and can still be enjoyed as a taste of the hotel’s culinary heritage.
In 1944, the hotel suspended operations as the Pacific War intensified. Karuizawa was designated as an evacuation area for foreign nationals living in Japan, and diplomatic representatives from various countries gathered in the area around the Former Mikasa Hotel. Shortly before the end of the war, the region became a setting for important diplomatic discussions.
After the war, the hotel was requisitioned by the 1st Cavalry Division of the U.S. Army and used as a facility by the occupying forces.
In 1952, the building reopened under the name “Mikasa House.” However, financial difficulties eventually led to its closure in 1970.
The property was later acquired and relocated by the Long-Term Credit Bank of Japan before being donated to Karuizawa Town in 1980. The building that survives today is the original main building, representing approximately 50 percent of the hotel’s original structure.
One of the most distinctive features of the Former Mikasa Hotel is its asymmetrical composition. The western wing has a polygonal projecting section and tower, while the building is complemented by beautifully crafted eaves with decorative brackets.
Much of the interior has also survived in remarkably authentic condition. The lobby fittings, fireplaces, light fixtures, and sanitary ceramics are largely original, making the building an exceptionally valuable example of an early modern Japanese hotel that underwent very little alteration.
Walking through the rooms today offers visitors an opportunity to see the architectural details and atmosphere of a luxury hotel from the Meiji and Taisho eras.
Mikasa Street, which connects the hotel with the center of Old Karuizawa, is a beautiful tree-lined avenue selected as one of Japan’s “100 New Scenic Streets with Trees.”
The avenue is especially attractive during the changing seasons. Walking beneath the trees toward the Former Mikasa Hotel allows visitors to experience both the natural beauty of Karuizawa and the atmosphere of its historic resort era.
The interior of the Former Mikasa Hotel has been open to the public since April 1983, allowing visitors to explore the historic rooms and architectural details.
Opening hours: 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (last admission at 4:30 p.m.)
Closed: December 28–January 4
Access: From Karuizawa Station on the Hokuriku Shinkansen or Shinano Railway, take a Kusakaru Kotsu bus bound for the Kitakaruizawa area. Get off at the Mikasa bus stop, approximately 8 minutes from the station, followed by a 2-minute walk.
The Former Mikasa Hotel is an essential destination for understanding Karuizawa’s history as a summer resort and a center of international cultural exchange.
Its elegant yet understated appearance evokes the refined atmosphere of the Meiji and Taisho eras, while the preserved rooms and furnishings offer a rare glimpse into the lifestyle of Japan’s early modern elite.
More than simply a historic building, the Former Mikasa Hotel provides an opportunity to explore the architecture, social life, international connections, and changing fortunes of Karuizawa. A visit here is a memorable way to experience the history and beauty of this celebrated mountain resort.