- 2020.06.01
- Coronavirus Measures

Shishi-Iwa House is a collection of intimately crafted retreats, fusing a mastery of contemporary architecture, design and art with culinary tastemaking and a deep connection to nature.
Wrapped in wild forests and mountain peaks, Shishi-Iwa House Karuizawa is located in an idyllic resort town just an hour by train from Tokyo. The retreat is made up of three houses (SSH No.01, SSH No.02 and SSH No.03), designed by Shigeru Ban and Ryue Nishizawa, both Pritzker Prize-winning architects. Guests are able to stay at – and explore – each of these uniquely designed wooden houses, which are less than a minute apart on foot.
Just on its doorstep is a cornucopia of nature, with the retreat perfectly positioned to enjoy the very best of Karuizawa’s landscape, from national parks and bird sanctuaries to government-protected forests. Hiking, museums, shops, restaurants and hot spring onsen are also within walking distance.
The heart of the retreat is the upper level of SSH No.02, where guests enjoy meals at The Restaurant, relax with a coffee on the Forest Terrace and savor rare drinks at The Wine & Whisky Bar. Other features include a library, wellness treatments, seasonal gardens and guided art and architecture tours.
Shishi-Iwa House is not just a hotel: it’s a 21st-century lifestyle for active, sophisticated, creative individuals who enjoy a passion for design, art, quality food and drink and seasonal nature.
Shishi-Iwa House Hakone will open in 2024.
- T Magazine, New York Times
- Views from the monumental windows will make you feel as if you are floating in the forest canopy…
- Travel + Leisure
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One of Japan’s best new getaways…
Designed to stimulate creativity in an isolated, rural setting.
- Design Anthology Magazine
- It’s not every day one has the chance to stay in a property designed by a Pritzker Prize winner.
NATURE
Be it a meditative garden stroll or a forested mountain hike, treat yourself to a full recharge in nature.
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THE RESTAURANT
Savor a taste of Karuizawa with exquisite meals at The Restaurant, a curated collection of rare drinks in The Wine & Whisky Bar and a local craft coffee in the treetops at the Forest Terrace – all open to non-staying visitors as well as overnight guests.
LEARN MORE- THINGS TO DO
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Bespoke tours, insider introductions and curated creative events: there’s always plenty to do at SSH.
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- THE NEIGHBORHOOD:
KARUIZAWA -
Say hello to the neighbors: from local chefs to the most popular craft coffee roasters in town.
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SSH SELECTS
From ceramics to towels, discover SSH’s bespoke collection of contemporary lifestyle goods.
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FUTURE
OPENINGS
And there’s more to come. Find out which
award-winning Japanese architects are
currently working on our next SSH openings.