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A F F L U E N T

GUID ET R A V E L L E R

2015

Asia & Australasia

Shirouma-so

TraditionalAccommodationin the Japanese Alps

Traditional Accommodationin the Japanese Alps
Resting at the base of Hakuba Happo-one ski area,
Shirouma-so is a modern Japanese ryokan (inn) thatseamlessly blends tradition wooden and modern
Japanese “Wa” architectural styles, resulting in a guest
experience that is all at once relaxing and thrilling.
Featuring wooden pillars and beams preserved fromthe Edo period, spacious rooms and breathtaking
views of the surrounding Alps, guests can enjoya refreshing and revitalising stay. These inns havebeen hosting passing through travellers for over 80years, while the house’s pillar and beams date backsome 200 years. These inns also often use thetraditional tatami floors, with paper sliding doors.
Each of the Japanese-style tatami rooms has
been individually designed to provide unique andrelaxing atmospheres.
Shirouma-so serves as a convenient base for skiing,snowboarding and other popular outdoor activitiesand is a hub for touring Shinshu, Azumino, and other

Shirouma-so
regions within Nagano – but when not enjoying thestunning surroundings, guests can relax in the natural
onsen (hot spring). Made with Tago stone, unique for
its resemblance to wood grain, the energising springwater is piped in directly from the Hakuba Happo
Onsen spring source. The spring of Hakuba is also
known as bijin – “the bath of beauty” – because thewater has some of the highest alkaline content in all ofJapan, making a dip in the onsen incredibly beneficial
for the skin. Shirouma-so features Japanese-styletatami rooms, some of which provide inspiring viewsof the surrounding Japanese Alps. The idea held
within Japanese traditional architecture is to evoke
a simple, plain setting that allows guests to become
more in tune with their surroundings and their own
thoughts. Much of Japanese architecture removes thebusy, colourful designs of western design, and bringsin simplicity instead.

Activities in the Area
The Shirouma-so is designed to be a ski retreat, very
close to the mountains. The Hakuba Happo-one
ski resort rises to almost 3,000 metres, and boasts
some of the best skiing in Asia. The first aerial lift
was opened here in 1958, and the 50th anniversary
in 2008 was a testament to how successful andloved this resort has come to be. Alongside themountains and skiing, the area is packed with natural
springs, due the volcanic action taking place in themountains and under the earth. The Happo-one
ski resort includes Mt. Karamatsu-Dake at 2696m,Mt. Hakuba-Yari-Ga-Take at 2903m, Mt. ShakushiDake at 2812m and Mt. Shirouma-Dake at 2932m.
Within these mountain slopes there is the HappoBanks Ski Park. This exciting run of tight turns,
twisting banks and exhilarating jumps will challengeeven the most experienced ski or snowboard
enthusiast. Planned and built by famed snow park
designer Hayato ‘Bubbles’ Maruyama, this park has
half-pipes, bowls and sets of jumps. There are 13
different routes down the mountain, and 23 lifts totake you back up, so snow travellers will never be
short of variety and choice.
The Tsugaike National Park is a flowing, vast open area,with well-preserved ecosystems and delicate flowers,
best seen in the warm summer, or colourful autumn.
Snow monkeys can be seen warming themselves insome of the areas hot springs, and Lake Aokiko is
another fantastic viewing spot to really appreciate
the beauty of the Japanese wilderness. For a culturalexperience, the Zenko-ji Temple is a perfect exampleof Japanese traditional Buddhist practice. Built in the
7th Century, this temple is rumoured to hold the firststatue of Buddha brought to Japan.

Modern Amenities
The Shirouma-so has not compromised on modern facilities
whilst creating an authentic design, and guests have accessto a traditional ‘Irori’ counter, which is the sunken hearth in
the middle of the family room, where families would gather
to cook, eat and spend time together. Massage chairs can beused by guests after a day’s skiing, to relax sore muscles or to
unwind after a day’s hiking.
Catering to those skiing or snow-boarding in the area, there
is a drying room to get all the gear ready for the next day,and also a storage room for guests to leave their boots, skis
and snowboards. There are experienced ski technicians
who can adjust skis, fit bindings and give advice on routes
and trips guests may want to take. Staff at the Shirouma-so
can also give guests access to cheaper lift passes, local rateequipment hire and bus/taxi pick-ups from either ski-lifts
or the hotel.
For guests who would like to come as part of a larger party,
or host an event at the Shirouma-so, there is a large ‘party
room’ in which up to 20 people can be hosted, with traditional
Japanese tatami matting and paper screens. Anotherparticular highlight of a stay at Shirouma-so is the dining
room, where guests can sample the excellent home cookingof the owner; enjoy recipes that have been passed down
through generations and indulge in the seasonal produce ofthe Hakuba region.
Shirouma-so presents guests with the choice of unique,individually designed rooms. The orientation of the rooms
is the key differentiating element; with those rooms on thesecond floor facing the south gives guests clear views overthe mountains, fresh sunlight and a sense of clarity and space.
Some of the rooms facing away from the mountains are moreprivate, traditional rooms that allow peaceful reflection.

JapanLuxury Mountain Retreat of the Year

Hakuba Onsen
Ryokan SHIROUMA-SO
Sitting peacefully at the foot of the Hakuba Happo-one ski area, Shirouma-sois a traditional Japanese ryokan (inn) that seamlessly blends ancient design
and innovative amenities. Providing a relaxing and luxurious base for skiers,
snowboarders and trekkers, visitors will find Shirouma-so an outstanding
introduction to Japanese hospitality. These inns have been hosting passing
through travellers for over 80 years, while the house’s pillar and beams dateback some 200 years.
These inns also often use the traditional tatami floors, with paper sliding
doors. Not only giving easy access to the nearby ski and snowboarding runs,
Shirouma-so also offers the perfect way to relax after a long day on theslopes; made from Tago stone, the onsite natural onsen (hot spring) is fed
with water directly from the Hakuba Happo Onsen spring source. Knownfor its high alkaline levels, this spring water is incredibly good for the skinand joint pain and ensures that a stay at Shirouma-so resounds in peace
and tranquillity.
Shirouma-so features Japanese-style tatami rooms, some of which provide
inspiring views of the surrounding Japanese Alps. The idea held within
Japanese traditional architecture is to evoke a simple, plain setting thatallows guests to become more in tune with their surroundings and theirown thoughts. Much of Japanese architecture removes the busy, colourful
designs of western design, and brings in simplicity instead. Home cooked
traditional Japanese meals are prepared in the ryokan for guests. Shiroumaso presents guests with the choice of very differently designed rooms. The
orientation of the rooms is the key differentiating element; with thoserooms on the second floor facing the south gives guests clear views overthe mountains, fresh sunlight and a sense of clarity and space. Some of therooms facing away from the mountains are more private, traditional rooms
that allow peaceful reflection.

LuxuryTravelGuide
G lo b a l Awa r d s 2015

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