Mampei Hotel

Nestled amidst the serene landscapes of Karuizawa, the Mampei Hotel stands as a testament to classic luxury and rich history. It truly is like staying in a Wes Anderson film punctuated with natural peace and Japanese precision. Established in 1894, this iconic establishment seamlessly blends traditional Japanese aesthetics with Western influences, offering guests an experience that is both elegant and culturally immersive. For us, it was also a walk in the footsteps of John Lennon and Yoko Ono, as it was one of their favorite places to stay in Japan. The hotel's architecture exudes a nostalgic charm, with its well-preserved structures and interiors reflecting a bygone era. The main dining room, renowned for its impressive design, provides a picturesque garden view, enhancing the dining experience. We enjoyed both the Western and Japanese Breakfast. The Japanese was the best Japanese Breakfast we had on our whole trip, and we had many. make sure to let them know you would like it in advance. The staff were charming and kind to us every morning without fail. Our room was spacious and thoughtfully appointed, maintaining the delicate balance between historical charm and modern comfort. The rooms are equipped with contemporary amenities, although we found the Japanese winter and heaters a little drying, the staff quickly appointed us a humidifier or Kashikki which easily remedied the moisture level. The pajamas provided are also divine. The hotel's proximity to local attractions, such as the Kyukaruizawa Ginza-dori shopping street and the tranquil Kumobaike Pond, made it an ideal choice for us as we would walk to Ginza and then towards the station to shop at the Prince mall. What truly distinguishes Mampei Hotel is its exceptional service, epitomized by staff members like Yutaro San who was especially impressive. Perfect English and a kind, helpful and professional countenance. Yutaro's personalized recommendations and attentive assistance left an indelible impression on us, embodying the essence of Japanese hospitality. Thank you Yutaro San. The Mampei Hotel offers a harmonious blend of historical elegance, luxurious comfort, and outstanding service. Whether you're a history enthusiast, a foodie, or simply seeking a serene retreat, Mampei Hotel promises an cinematic experience you will not soon forget. Thank you to Yutaro San and the entire staff.

Visited the hotel because it was known for being John Lennon’s retreat hotel in Japan. Strong Wes Anderson vibes. Some staff doesn’t speak English, but overall it’s manageable. Recommend visiting their cafe even if you’re not staying here.

I attended my dearest friend’s wedding at Mampei hotel on October. I had an amazing wedding banquet lunch here. The banquet staff were all well trained. They were polite, efficient and attentive. All in all, I must say my friend chose a wonderful hotel to hold their wedding banquet in.

Mampei Hotel is absolutely stunning. One of the most beautiful places I've stayed at. Remodeled yet historic, comfortable, wonderful. Famous for being the reference for Studio Ghibli's The Wind Rises and also because John Lennon visited. ARRIVAL After check-in we were escorted through the buildings and a series of elevators and different hallways with stained glass and patterned carpet, all beautiful and in a retro vibe. We were personally shown to the room, which was in dark wood, had frost-patterned sliding windows, a small seating area to a forest view. The large white marble bathroom had a modern bathtub and towel warming rack. HISTORICAL DETAILS Before heading into the bar in the evening, we enjoyed looking at the historical display just outside the bar. Old keys with long key holders, a timeline showing the hotel’s early days as the “Turtle Hotel,” turtle-motif smoking dishes, original china, door handle examples, and more. The atmosphere overall feels carefully preserved but also updated for modern times. BAR EXPERIENCE The bar area has both tables and counter seating, and most tables were taken when we visited at 9pmish. The cocktail menu included both classics and house specialties. One specialty cocktail was whiskey-based with tomato juice, tea, and honeyed ginger syrup—created by one of the bartenders and recognized in a Oct 2025 cocktail competition. Another was a seasonal fruit cocktail featuring persimmon (strawberry was sold out) The tomato cocktail arrived on a coaster shaped like Hokkaido, with glassware and ingredients all connected to the region. For the second round, we chose from the classic cocktail list, which was ordered by alcohol strength. One was a strong whiskey-based classic Godfather, served with a sphere of ice and a glass of water; the other was a Bamboo, with dry vermouth and dry sherry. It was poured tableside into a frosted glass—very aromatic and complex, sharp on the first sip then fading into a dry, clean finish. CAFE At the café, the apple pie is famous and was very flavorful with thick apple filling. The seasonal chestnut roll cake was also excellent with cream and was light. It was November 2025 and peak autumn colors which surrounded the hotel. SHOP The hotel’s signature cookies were available in beautifully packaged boxes, premium in price. Stickers and stationery also available along with teas too, very gift-ready. Mampei Hotel is very beautiful. Would totally visit again.

Beautiful preserved interior. It is an old hotel with a lot of history. The food is great. Be sure to visit the cafe terrace and have John Lennon's favorite combo of apple pie and royal mill tea. There is also an old bus that picks you up infront of the hotel and takes you to a mountain view spot. There is a bicycle rental close by about 3 minutes from the hotel. It is also close to the main street which is great because there are many interesting shops to enjoy.