Le Chien Kyuu Karuizawa

We had a wonderful dinner and really enjoyed the private family spa, renting bicycles for a ride with our happy four-legged companion, and walking around the area. The hotel is well placed for nature, cafes, snacks, and slow, easy strolls. Its feel blends a cozy rustic home with a bit of resort luxury. The manager, in a black suit with a warm smile, was one of the most welcoming hospitality people I've met in Japan. He went out of his way in a sincere way to make our weekend stay a good one. Some younger staff who are still training made the occasional slip, but mistakes were noticed and fixed quickly. The team seemed to pull together in a responsive, genuine way.

Last week my father, my dog, and I stayed at Le Chien during a visit to Karuizawa, and we had a lovely time. Dinner and breakfast were nice, the staff were kind, and it was fun seeing all the cute dogs. There was even a beautiful Christmas tree set up for photos. My dad doesn't speak Japanese, but when he was on his own, the staff did their best to help him.

The dinner was a seven-course French meal, and there are both public and private onsens. It costs 15,000 yen per person per night, which felt like a great deal. This was our first stay, but we'll definitely come back. It's so nice to find a dog-friendly hotel in Japan, and the staff were incredibly welcoming to our dog. Five out of five.

A brand-new hotel with really friendly staff, delicious food, and excellent service. There are two private baths available if public bathing isn't comfortable for you. Highly recommend it if you're traveling with a dog!