Hoshino Resorts develops large-scale KAI Kusatsu luxury inn

Hoshino Resorts is developing KAI Kusatsu, a large-scale luxury hot spring inn designed to serve as a model for the brand. The project aims to blend the vitality of the Kusatsu Onsen town with the elegance of a high-end ryokan.

Project lead Yoshiaki Ishii oversaw the expansion to 94 rooms, the largest scale for the KAI brand to date. The development faced significant geological challenges, including unstable ground that prevented the use of slope cars and difficult terrain that complicated the construction of tunnels to connect the facility to the lower hot spring district.

To maintain the brand's concept of being ‘traditional yet new,’ the design focuses on low-rise buildings that blend with the natural surroundings. The plan includes specialized spaces for local culture and multiple dining areas to preserve the atmosphere of a traditional inn while accommodating the large scale of the facility.