The most healing autumn escape: Karuizawa’s Shishi-Iwa House welcomes the Hunter’s Moon with 2 exclusive experiences
So beautiful 🤩 I really want to go on vacation this fall!
Summary
- Karuizawa boutique hotel Shishi-Iwa House will launch a limited-time autumn moon-viewing experience in October 2026.
- The Afternoon Moon Tea Tasting will be held from October 20 to 24 on the Shola open-air terrace, serving local teas and handmade tea snacks.
- The Sun and Moon in Harmony Mountain Excursion will begin at dawn on October 26, guiding 10 in-house guests to the Usui Pass observation deck at an altitude of 1,200 meters.
- All guests staying at Shishi-Iwa House can join these two exclusive experiences, which bring together nature and architectural aesthetics, free of charge.
Boutique hotel Shishi-Iwa House in Karuizawa, Japan, will offer guests two complimentary autumn “Hunter’s Moon” viewing experiences from October 20 to 26, 2026. The activities include enjoying local tea and refreshments on the open-air terrace at Shola, designed by Shigeru Ban, and traveling to the 1,200-meter Usui Pass Viewpoint in the early morning to take in the rare mountain view of the sun and moon appearing together in the sky.
Sometimes, the romance of the holidays lies in the shifting light and shadows of the changing seasons. As the weather turns cool and the mountains and fields gradually take on autumnal shades of crimson and gold, even our hurried steps can’t help slowing down. This October, boutique hotel Shishi-Iwa House, tucked away in Japan’s Karuizawa National Park, has drawn inspiration from the distinctive post-autumn-equinox “Hunter’s Moon” to plan two moon-viewing experiences away from the hustle and bustle, inviting guests to slow down and feel the healing energy of the full moon.
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Readers who love architecture and design are likely already familiar with Shishi-Iwa House. It brings together wooden architectural masterpieces by Pritzker Prize winners Shigeru Ban and Ryue Nishizawa, and was awarded one Michelin Key in Japan in both 2024 and 2025. Founder Huy Hoang shares that moon viewing is a cherished Japanese tradition, and this spirit of slowing down, connecting with loved ones, and appreciating nature’s beauty is exactly what the brand hopes to convey.
Bathe in light and the scent of tea: An afternoon moonrise tea experience
If you enjoy quietly savoring tea, this afternoon experience is sure to draw you in. As the sun sets, guests can head to the open-air terrace at Shola, the distinctive restaurant designed by Shigeru Ban, to enjoy fragrant local tea and delicate handmade tea treats while waiting for the moon to rise. As soft moonlight filters through the clean-lined solid-wood structure and casts dappled light and shadow across the wooden floor, the stillness unique to late autumn in Karuizawa makes it hard to look away. This experience will take place from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. from October 20 to 24, 2026.
Spectacular morning light for just 10 guests: A mountain viewing experience where the sun and moon share the sky
For travelers who love grand natural scenery, the other early-morning guided experience is well worth setting an alarm for. At 5:00 a.m. on October 26, 2026, a professional team will take up to 10 hotel guests by private vehicle to the Usui Pass Viewpoint, 1,200 meters above sea level. As the lavender tones of the night sky gradually fade, the golden Hunter’s Moon slowly sets over the Mount Asama ridgeline just as the morning sun rises in the east. This rare sight of the sun and moon sharing the sky is sure to become the most unforgettable memory of the trip.
If you’re planning an autumn trip to Japan this October, visit the official website for more details and plan a poetic getaway from the everyday.
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