IKOI Villa

The staff member refused to remove the photos of our Residence Cards after checkout, and gave us no explanation of how our sensitive information would be protected. We are residents of Japan with registered addresses, yet the male front desk worker in his 30s demanded that each of us show our cards and photographed them on the hotel’s iPad. When we pointed out that residents aren’t legally required to show a Residence Card at a hotel, he raised his voice and threatened to deny us a stay unless we complied. With nowhere else available in Karuizawa that night, we felt forced to hand them over. This happened during our stay at Ikoi Villa on Nov 23, 2025, and it was one of the most disturbing hotel experiences I’ve had. Being made to let a private hotel keep that information indefinitely felt dangerous, discriminatory, and like a serious breach of our privacy and trust. I’ll never return, and I strongly advise foreign residents and anyone concerned about privacy to avoid this place. Basic respect matters in hospitality, and this hotel failed completely.

The building has two floors, no lift, and a very rustic Japanese style, so keep that in mind if you have heavy bags. I hadn’t expected the shared bathrooms, separated by gender for all guests, and found that a bit uncomfortable. Luckily, I only stayed one night. Checkout was easy, there were plenty of spaces to collaborate, and parking was free.

The beds were comfortable, with lots of spare pillows and blankets, and the staff were friendly and helpful. My room didn’t have a private shower: the shared bathing area on the second floor had a hot tub and three showers, with separate facilities for men and women. IKO I Villa is close to Tonbo-no-yu onsen, as well as local shops and boutiques. They can also take you to or from the train station if you arrange it in advance. I was very happy with my stay and would recommend it to travelers looking to rest while exploring the big cities.

The shuttle ride to the station was a nice touch, and the driver was very polite. The check-in staff were helpful too. Without those services, I’d have given it just one star. At peak times the room is very expensive, though to me it isn’t worth more than 13,000 yen a night. The bed and pillow weren’t comfortable and didn’t feel up to hotel standards. There’s no bath in the room, so guests have to use the public bathing area.