‘Kai Okuhida’, situated in the Okuhida Hot Spring Resort – renowned as one of Japan’s leading hot spring areas in terms of water volume – will be hosting the ‘Snowlight Kamakura’, a winter-exclusive experience allowing guests to enjoy warmth and local culinary delights amidst the snowy landscape, for a limited period from 10 January to 10 February 2027.
‘Snow-lit Kamakura’ Makes Its Debut in the Courtyard
We have prepared a prime spot for conversation, bathed in the glow of ‘Hida Tama’ lights. Inside the kamakura, you’ll find a kotatsu and warm lighting featuring a chequered pattern crafted using traditional woodworking techniques unique to the Hida Takayama region. The interior is illuminated by an orange glow, creating a space that is approximately 5 degrees warmer than the outside air. From the three-seater table equipped with a kotatsu, you can enjoy views of the Yunokawa River, with its rising steam, and the lights of ‘Hida-tama’ stretching out before you. Spend time chatting in a space where the snowy landscape and traditional Japanese lighting harmonise beautifully.
‘Winter Bite-Size Indulgence’ Featuring Hida Beef is Now Available
In the premium seating area within the kamakura, we are serving three types of bite-sized appetisers made with Hida beef, accompanied by local drinks. The appetisers were conceived, drawing inspiration from the snow-scene illuminations held at various hot spring resorts in the Okuhida Onsenkyo area. The ‘Taruma Kaneko-ori Illumination’ at Tochio Onsen is represented by canapés made with salami seasoned with Hida sansho and ricotta cheese, evoking the colourful illuminated icicles and ice crystals.
The ‘Hirayu Otaki Ice Festival’ in Hirayu Onsen is represented by roast beef pinchos, with a creamy white truffle sauce drizzled over them to resemble a frozen waterfall. Finally, the ‘Horigaya Snow Cherry Blossom Light-up’ in Tochio Onsen is depicted through layers of corned beef, basil sauce and cream cheese, evoking the snow-covered, colourfully illuminated erosion control dam.
Furthermore, the drinks menu features a local hot cocktail made by adding whisky from the Hida Takayama Distillery to ‘Hida Black Tea’, which has been fermented in the hot springs of the Okuhida Hot Spring Village. In the tranquil atmosphere of a snowy night, guests can savour these luxurious appetisers, made with generous portions of Hida beef, whilst enjoying a warm drink.
Illuminated by ‘Hida-tama’, an original Japanese lighting design inspired by the gasshō-zukuri style
In the heavy snowfall areas of the Hida region, ‘Gassho-zukuri’ dwellings—characterised by steeply pitched roofs designed to facilitate snow sliding off—have been used since ancient times. At Kai Okuhida, ‘Hida-tama’ lighting, inspired by this Gassho-zukuri style, is arranged in the courtyard to evoke the image of a traditional village. The courtyard at Kai Okuhida is situated at the heart of the ‘tsuji space’—a central gathering place where a public bathhouse once stood and people used to come and go. The light from the Hida-tama illuminates the courtyard, superimposing the culture of Gassho-zukuri villages—where people gather and help one another with tasks such as re-thatching roofs—upon the memories of the ‘tsuji’ space, a place where people once gathered and interacted.
‘Snow-Lit Kamakura’ Event Overview
| Dates: |
Prime Seats for Kamakura: 10 January – 10 February 2027
*Please note that the dates and content of the event may be subject to change or cancellation depending on snowfall conditions.
Hida-Tama Illumination: 7 December 2026 – 23 March 2027 |
| Time: |
15:30–22:00 |
| Price: |
2,500 yen per person (including tax) |
| Included: |
Hida Beef ‘Winter Bite of Luxury’, hot cocktail, Kamakura premium seating |
| Capacity: |
Limited to 5 groups per day (Sessions: ① from 15:30, ② from 16:45, ③ from 18:00, ④ from 19:15, ⑤ from 20:30; maximum of 3 guests per group per session) |
