1. JP
  2. EN

SSH PROGRAM

Art and architecture tours, organic farm visits, bespoke ski experiences, insider introductions, fireside talks – welcome to Shishi-Iwa House Program. Our monthly schedule of customized events, tours and activities is carefully curated and brought to life through a wide network of local friends and deep insider knowledge. Every visit can be tailor-made with bespoke activities – all designed to ensure that guests have a unique and unforgettable stay.

CULTURE

Tap into the creative world of SSH

Design-loving guests can enjoy insider tours of SSH, highlighting its groundbreaking architecture, artworks and design details. Beyond the hotel, staff can also craft bespoke creative itineraries, exploring Karuizawa’s world-class contemporary galleries and local craft ateliers.

FOOD AND DRINK

Explore Karuizawa’s finest flavors

SSH staff can arrange private access to a raft of culinary gems – from local bee farms to generations-old sake breweries. Back at the retreat, guests can also enjoy world-class cocktail, wine and whisky tastings, plus a Japanese roasted tea experience, with our in-house tea master.

SPORT AND WELLNESS

Inhale, exhale - and recharge in nature

Nature plays a key role at SSH – and guests can tap into this through a spectrum of sports and wellness activities. Bespoke highlights include skiing, snowboarding, golf, tennis, horse-riding, waterfall walks, hot spring onsen soaks and private morning yoga overlooking our gardens.

FIRESIDE CHATS

Intimate talks in your home from home

We also host an in-house talk series, with guests invited to join our fireside chats with a string of SSH friends – from Pritzker Prize-winning architects, whisky distillers and winemakers to local farmers – for an experience which is both intimate and informative.

EVENTS

From architect talks by the fire to pop-up dinner events, explore what’s on the schedule at Shishi-Iwa House.

NOTO
SUPPORT
DINNER

At this special event, we are honored to welcome Mr. Taiichi Kirimoto of Wajima Kirimoto as our guest navigator. Guests will enjoy the dinner served on beautifully restored Wajima-nuri tableware, revived through the Wajima-nuri Rescue & Reborn Project led by Mr. Kirimoto.

These pieces, once lost due to the earthquake, have been lovingly repaired, polished, and finished with suki-dame—a translucent lacquer technique—after being coated with traditional vermilion lacquer (shu-ai). Thanks to the hands of skilled artisans, the tableware is now returning to dining tables with new life and meaning. Mr. Kirimoto will also speak about the inspiration and commitment behind this remarkable project.

The dinner will be crafted by Chef Toshiya Ikehata, owner-chef of L’Atelier de NOTO and a native of Noto. Despite the devastating damage to his restaurant caused by the earthquake, Chef Ikehata has continued to travel across Japan to share the essence of Noto’s food culture and the region’s ongoing challenges. Together with Chef Okamoto of SHOLA, he will present an exclusive one-night-only course that celebrates the seasonal bounty of both Noto and Karuizawa.

Following this event, Shishi-Iwa House will continue to support the revival of Noto’s craftsmanship and culture by offering select works from Wajima Kirimoto, including pieces from the Reborn series, at our in-house SHISHIIWA SHOP on an ongoing basis.

We hope this evening will offer you not only an unforgettable dining experience but also a moment to reflect on Noto’s present and be part of shaping its future.

Cost: JPY 38,000++ per person
Cost is course dinner and drink pairing. Guests also have an option to stay for additional night at a special rate of 15% discount. 

Inquiry:
For booking, detailed itinerary or further inquiries, please email inquiry@shishiiwahouse.com 

June 6, 2025 at 6 pm

TREKKING ADVENTURE:
ASCENDING MT. ASAMA & KAMIKOCHI
- LAND OF THE GODS -

We are returning to Mt. Asama & Kamikochi, the land of the gods, for the second year this coming autumn for 4 nights 5 days trekking adventure. An exciting schedule of activities and dining options awaits. Please reserve ahead as the number of participants is limited.

For more details, please email inquiry@shishiiwahouse.com.

October 20 - 24, 2025 (4N/5D)

JOIN US FOR
A FIRESIDE CHAT
WITH ARCHITECT
MR. ETAN KIMMEL

If you are staying at Shishi-Iwa House or dining at SHOLA Restaurant on October 4, we warmly invite you to an intimate fireside chat with renowned Israeli architect Etan Kimmel, co-founder of the acclaimed studio Kimmel Eshkolot Architects.

Etan Kimmel is celebrated for his award-winning work on cultural and civic architecture, including Israel’s Memorial Hall on Mount Herzl, The Davidson Museum near the Western Wall, and the Steinhardt Museum of Natural History. His studio’s thoughtful approach has earned international recognition, including prestigious awards from RIBA, the Chinese Ministry of Culture, and the Dedalo Minosse Foundation.

In this special conversation, Mr. Kimmel will share insights into his architectural philosophy, the role of memory in spatial design, and his perspective on cross-cultural influence — including reflections on Japan.

This event is complimentary and exclusive to our in-house guests and SHOLA diners.
The talk will be conducted in English with Japanese interpretation.

We look forward to sharing this inspiring evening with you.

RSVP at inquiry@shishiiwahouse.com

October 4, 2025, 5:00 PM

A SPECIAL VEGAN
EXPLORATION
BY CHEF
TAKUYA OKADA

On May 21 and 22, we are excited to welcome our friend, Chef Takuya Okada for a special plant-based vegan tasting menu for two nights only. Chef Okada recently relocated to Karuizawa to open the restaurant Vase. Before that, he spent 6 years as a sous-chef at the 2 stars Michelin restaurant Crony in Tokyo. This event is an experimental journey where we challenge him to create a special vegan menu that celebrates the unique ingredients from Nagano farms. His dishes are extremely refined, creative and delicious.

This event marks the first time that Chef Okada will create an entirely vegan course menu for dinner —an exciting and thoughtful new chapter in his culinary journey. Known for his deep reverence for nature and his expertise in wild game and mountain fare, Chef Okada now turns his focus to plants, pushing the boundaries of flavor, texture, and creativity.

We cannot think of anyone better than him to elevate the fine produces of Nagano farms in this plant-based challenge. We look forward to welcoming you to an evening of inspired vegan cuisine in the heart of Karuizawa.

Cost per guest: ¥15,000++ (beverages additional)
Limit to 20 guests per night
RSVP at inquiry@shishiiwahouse.com

May 21 - 22, 2025

SAKURA
IN THE SKY
2025

Limited to 14 participants, this journey takes guests to the peaks of Mt. Kurofu (elevation 2,404 meters) and Mt. Iodake (elevation 2,760 meters), and other cherry blossom viewpoints, where the landscapes transform into a vibrant tapestry of pink and white blooms. Highlights include one-of-a-kind highest natural outdoor onsen in Japan at 1,894 meter elevation, one of three designated national treasures 2,000-year-old Yamataka Jindai Zakura tree, the 330 years old Wanitsuka Sakura tree with stunning Mt. Fuji as its backdrop, and Kiyoharu Art Colony with masterworks by renowned architects such as the iconic one-leg tea house by Terunobu Fujimori and others by Tadao Ando and Hiroshi Sugimoto.

Inquiry:
For booking, detailed itinerary or further inquiries, please email inquiry@shishiiwahouse.com 

April 20 - 24, 2025 (4N/5D)

SECOND ANNUAL
CULTURAL GETAWAY
THE ANCIENT ART OF KINTSUGI
RETREAT 2025

Championing refined craftsmanship and cultural experiences, Shishi-Iwa House’s exclusive 3 nights / 4 days cultural getaway, in partnership with POJ Studio from Kyoto, returns this March 21 - 24, immersing guests in the ancient art of Kintsugi combined with luxury Michelin-Key accommodation, nature forest bathing and the finest culinary experience in Karuizawa.

Limited to 14 participants, this one-of-a-kind experience offers the opportunity to participate in an accelerated 4 intensive training sessions to learn the rare, centuries-old method of repairing ceramics and porcelain, embracing the meditative beauty of Zen philosophy through the art of imperfection.

Inquiry:
For booking, detailed itinerary or further inquiries, please email inquiry@shishiiwahouse.com

March 21 - 24, 2025 (3N/4D)

INVITATION TO
AN EXCLUSIVE
DINING EVENT

For three nights only, Jakob Zeller and Ethel Hoon will be taken over the management of Shola Restaurant from Chef Masashi Okamoto. Both chefs started their careers at different ends of the world but eventually met in Sweden while working in restaurant Faviken. Jakob, who hails from the Alpine region of South Tyrol, has worked in kitchens in Barcelona, southern France and Italy. Ethel, a native of tropical island-nation Singapore, has spent time in kitchens in her home country, Paris and Tokyo.

Using regional ingredients from producers who share their philosophy of quality with sustainability and respect for nature and their collective creative experiences, Jakob and Ethel would like to invite you to Karuizawa for a meal that is inspired by – and centered on – the rich local produces and ingredients that Nagano, the Japan Alps, has to offer.

This is an exclusive event with limited seating, designed to offer a unique insight into our chefs’ philosophy of conscious cooking and their commitment to sustainable practices.  Please RSVP to secure your place at this special gathering by email to inquiry@shishiiwahouse.com.

Cost per guest: Yen 15,000++.

February 21 - 23, 2025

JAPAN
ARCHITECTURE
TOUR

From February 12 to 16, 2025, immerse yourself in a carefully curated journey through the architectural and culinary wonders of Karuizawa, hosted by the editorial team of Design Anthology. 
Karuizawa is known for its rich architectural heritage and is home to significant architect-designed buildings and striking examples of traditional styles. Rokumeikan architecture occurred in a very important architectural period in the early 1900s when Japan first opened its borders to the influence of foreign countries.  Guests will have the unique opportunity to experience and learn about the lasting impact of this period on today's Japan architecture, and exclusive visits to landmarks such as Kazuo Shinohara’s Tanikawa House, Hoshi Onsen and historic soba restaurant Kagimotoya. 

The event is private and exclusive with spaces for only 14 guests.
Inquiry:
For booking, detailed itinerary or further inquiries, please email  hello@design-anthology.com.

February 12 - 16, 2025 (4N/5D)

ARCHITECTURE
FIRESIDE CHAT w/ BIJOY JAIN
STUDIO MUMBAI

If you are staying at Shishi-Iwa House or dining at Shola Restaurant on January 4th, we invite you to join an intimate architectural talk with the acclaimed architect Bijoy Jain of Studio Mumbai. We are honored to welcome Mr. Jain to Karuizawa, as his work is nothing short of extraordinary. Recognized as one of the world’s leading architects, his unique approach combines sensuality and intellectual depth, bringing unparalleled richness to every project he undertakes.

Don’t miss this rare opportunity to hear Mr. Jain shares his philosophy and explores the connections between his work and Japanese architecture. This exclusive event is open only to our staying and dining guests. It is complimentary.

The talk will be conducted in both Japanese and English.

January 4, 2025 at 5 pm

PRIVATE
RETREAT

There are few more peaceful settings for a private gathering, be it a corporate wellness break or a multi-generational family gathering. The hotel can be rented out in its entirety, or in the case of SSH No.01, by Villa, depending on the group size.

WEDDINGS

SSH is perfect for weddings, with its versatile interior spaces, bespoke menus and scenic natural backdrop.

CORPORATE

SSH can also help companies craft the ultimate corporate retreat, fusing design, nature and wellness, with the highest quality food and wine in a stunning setting.

Please contact us to receive the latest monthly schedule of SSH Program activities.