【KAI Okuhida】A Relaxing Girls’ Trip with Mom and Sister: Embracing the Luxury of Doing Nothing

A major milestone in a mom’s life—the perfect excuse to head off on a carefree “girls’ trip”!

Two years ago, my mom was rushed to the hospital with a heart attack. Then, a year ago, cancer was detected, followed by surgery… After a whirlwind of continuous medical treatments, my mom’s therapy finally reached a major milestone this autumn.

Despite struggling with side effects and a decline in her physical strength, she continued to handle the housework and look after her grandmother. Wanting to acknowledge her hard work and give her a chance to rest, the sisters talked it over and decided that the three of them would take a trip to Takayama in the autumn.

Meanwhile, my father would remain at home. We decided that my grandmother would—for the first time—utilize a “short-stay” (short-term residential care) service. This not only ensures we are prepared to respond immediately should any unforeseen situation arise, but it also grants my father a precious opportunity to enjoy some quiet, personal time to himself at home!

My parents are usually so busy with daily household chores that they rarely find the time for anything else; I hope this trip will serve as a catalyst for us to start going out together as a family more often.

In this post, I’ll share a look at a relaxing girls’ trip I took to Hoshino Resorts KAI Okuhida.

Destination: Takayama! Checking into Hoshino Resorts KAI Okuhida

This trip began when my mother expressed a strong desire to visit a popular bakery in Takayama. For our accommodation, my younger sister suggested “Kai Okuhida.” “Kai” is a brand of hot-spring ryokans (traditional Japanese inns) operated by Hoshino Resorts, designed to offer guests a full experience of the unique charm of each local region.

On the morning of our trip, we gathered at my parents’ home and set off on a road trip in our own car. While it was the first visit to Okuhida for my sisters, it was my mother’s first time returning there in over 30 years.

On our way to Okuhida, we stopped for lunch in Takayama City and visited a michi-no-eki (roadside rest area). The journey via the expressway took about two and a half hours. As we traveled along winding mountain roads, a quiet hot spring town, nestled unobtrusively among the mountains, came into view. “Kai Okuhida” was situated amidst a collection of small lodgings and traditional ryokan (inns).

I hadn’t checked the exact parking location beforehand, so I was a bit confused at first (the mountainous terrain means that parking areas are scattered about). In any case, I managed to park successfully and headed straight to the check-in counter.

Main Building 1F: Front Desk

Opened in 2024 as the very first Hoshino Resorts property in the Tokai 3-Prefecture area, KAI Okuhida’s front desk feels compact, fresh, and modern.

Combining warmth from natural wood elements with a sleek, modern aesthetic, the softly dimmed lighting created an atmosphere like a hidden hideaway. (The floors are flat, but since the lighting is kept intentionally low, it might take a moment for your eyes to adjust—something to keep in mind for older travelers.)

We arrived right during peak check-in hours, but the serene atmosphere of the space kept everything surprisingly quiet.

Main Building 1F: Gift Shop

Right by the entrance, there is a small shop offering KAI-original sweets, crafts by local artisans, and regional specialties.

Cozy and Private: Western-Style Room with Private Outdoor Bath (West Wing)

During our stay, we stayed in a Western-style room with a private outdoor bath (3-person capacity) located in the West Wing.

Upon opening the entrance door, a spacious closet immediately catches the eye. It is incredibly convenient, allowing you to take off your outerwear the moment you go back to your room. Inside the closet, you will find comfortable loungewear as well as a padded hanten (traditional quilted jacket)—a thoughtful touch that is especially welcome during the chilly seasons.

Inside the room, the first thing that catches your eye is the warm, bentwood-inspired headboard illuminated by soft, moody lighting.

At the foot of the bed stood a counter table paired with bentwood chairs crafted with traditional Hida woodworking techniques. These chairs were ridiculously comfortable! Despite being made of solid wood, sitting in them never hurt our backs at all—we even found ourselves talking about getting the same chairs for our homes!

Further back, there was a large sofa where two adults could comfortably stretch out and relax. With its natural wood and a harmonious blend of soft grays and whites, the space felt just like a cozy, private hideaway.

Private In-Room Outdoor Bath (Rotenburo)

The private outdoor bath attached to our room was exceptionally spacious—large enough for three adults to soak comfortably at once—complete with a relaxation daybed. It allowed us to fully indulge in the hot spring waters whenever we pleased.

Because this region experiences significant snowfall during the winter, the open-air bath is equipped with (openable) wooden doors. While it may not offer a sweeping, panoramic vista, the setting is absolutely ideal for soaking in a hot spring while enveloped in the crisp, clear mountain air of Okuhida.

Vanity & Shower Space

The vanity area was bright, clean, and minimalist. While minimalist and functional, it felt a little compact for three women getting ready together:

• Vanity & Mirrors: Since there were only two mirrors (one at the vanity and one in front of the hallway closet), there was a slight “traffic jam” during morning makeup routines.
• Shower Room: The private outdoor bath does not have a washing area (araiba); instead, there is a standing shower booth inside. For elderly guests or those who prefer sitting down to wash up, visiting the main public bath is recommended.

Enjoying Footbath and Free Activities at Our Pace

After unpacking, my mom mentioned she wanted to take a short nap. To avoid disturbing her, my sister and I took a short walk next door to the Annex to try out the footbath.

The Annex: Footbath and Lounge

The lounge, located in a separate building, was a spacious and inviting area reminiscent of a cozy dining room. A large table stood at the center, surrounded by comfortable-looking chairs, creating a versatile space where guests could relax in a variety of ways. The room featured displays of traditional woodworking tools from the Hida region as well as books about Takayama, imbuing the space with the warm, welcoming atmosphere characteristic of the local woodwork.

• Complimentary Drinks: Enjoy coffee or tea (including decaf options) while warming your feet in the hot spring water.
• Hands-Free Convenience: Fresh towels are provided right at the footbath area, so you can stop by empty-handed anytime.
• Operating Hours: Open from 2:30 PM to 1:00 AM / 5:00 AM to 11:00 AM.

Sipping hot tea while warming our feet, taking in the cool afternoon air, and enjoying mindless sisterly banter—it was pure luxury.

When we returned to our room, my mother had just woken up from a nap. We enjoyed some warm tea—brought from the lounge—along with the welcome treats provided in the room: miso-flavored rice crackers, an original creation of the “Kai” brand, topped with granola and chocolate.

Why are tea and sweets provided in guest rooms at Japanese hot spring inns?

When you check into a Japanese hot spring inn and enter your room, you will almost always find tea (loose tea leaves or tea bags) and bite-sized sweets (welcome snacks) waiting for you.

This expresses the inn’s welcoming spirit, also serves as a promotion for souvenirs, and plays an important role in ensuring a safe and comfortable hot spring experience.

There are three reasons for this uniquely Japanese hospitality.

Tips for Enjoying Hot Springs

As soon as you arrive in your room, resist the urge to jump into the bathtub! First, take a sip of warm tea, then a bite of a sweet. Relax slowly before taking a bath. This is the secret to safely and fully enjoying Japanese hot springs.

Hands-On Hida Craftsmanship: The Complimentary “Gotochi-raku(Hida Artisan Experience)” Experience

After dinner, we participated in Gotochi-raku (Hida Artisan Experience), a complimentary, reservation-based activity hosted at the Annex.

After learning about the rich history of Hida craftsmen through illustrated stories, we used cypress wood softened with hot water to create handles for bags made from traditional Japanese furoshiki wrapping cloths.

I pressed a pre-drilled wooden board against a semicircular wooden mold and bent it by hand. It required a lot of force, and I was worried that the wood might break! But it was a very thrilling experience.

This experience requires you to bring a furoshiki (traditional Japanese wrapping cloth) provided in your room. By threading the furoshiki through the curved handle holes and tying it, you’ll have a cute and practical furoshiki bag! My mother, who loves handicrafts, thoroughly enjoyed this activity. I immediately used my new bag to go to the hot springs shortly afterward.

What is a Furoshiki?

A Furoshiki is a traditional Japanese cloth used for wrapping, carrying, storing, and packaging gifts. It’s a convenient item that fulfills the roles of modern shopping bags, eco-bags, and wrapping paper all in one piece.

• Versatile Wrapping: It can be used to wrap various items, such as square boxes, round bottles, watermelons, and wine bottles, by changing the knotting method to suit the shape and size of the contents.
• Materials and Sizes: Available in various materials such as cotton, silk, and polyester, and in a range of sizes from small to large to suit different purposes.
• Eco-Friendly Tool: It can be folded compactly when not in use and reused many times, making it an environmentally friendly item that has recently been re-evaluated.

Onsen and the Comfort of Freedom

After the activity, we each enjoyed the hot springs separately. My mother had been advised by her doctor to avoid prolonged bathing, so she wanted to use the open-air bath in our room. My sister decided to use the open-air bath after my mother, and I decided to bathe in the large public bath in the main building.

The large public bath(Daiyokujyo) on the second floor of the main building is located directly across from the west wing. The indoor bath has two tubs: one with 100% natural hot spring water (hot spring water) and the other with temperature-controlled water (lukewarm spring water). Luckily, there was no one there when I went, so I had it all to myself!

The open-air bath has high walls intentionally built to block out the outside scenery, allowing you to fully concentrate on the hot spring. The water was smooth and silky, leaving my skin feeling moisturized and very pleasant.

Since I had the place all to myself, I enjoyed going back and forth between the open-air bath, the hot bath, and the lukewarm bath to my heart’s content.

After enjoying the hot springs, I relaxed in the “Post-Bath Lounge” on the same floor. Sipping on the complimentary, perfectly chilled roasted green tea and apple cider vinegar with honey, the heat from the bath subsided, and I felt very relaxed.

My family prefers to maintain a comfortable distance from one another. No one tries to take the lead, and everyone quietly expresses their preferences.

We don’t feel any pressure like “We’re on a family trip, so we MUST do everything together!” Everyone bathes when they want and relaxes at their own pace. I realized that this easygoing, pressure-free dynamic is the secret to truly enjoying family trips as adults.

No sightseeing needed, just want to relax and unwind. A luxurious and relaxing trip.

Our trip to Okuhida was a simple two-day, one-night getaway. Instead of visiting famous tourist spots, we enjoyed delicious meals at our accommodation, soaked in hot springs, and spent hours chatting about trivial things.

For my mom—who is constantly busy with daily housework—and for my sister and me—who are often consumed by work and daily errands—this “time spent doing absolutely nothing” felt like the most lavish reward of all.

If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of touristy places and refresh your mind and body in tranquility, KAI Okuhida is a hot spring inn that I confidently recommend.

☆ Next episode preview: KAI Okuhida: Hida beef kaiseki cuisine and Japanese-style breakfast!

P.S. This English version was written with the help of translation tools. I hope it reads well, but please bear with me if there are any awkward phrases!