--- description: Breaking news and analysis from time.com. Politics, world news, photos, video, tech reviews, health, science, and entertainment news. title: Ikenotaira Hotel & Resorts image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt7d0811ac8e933d6f/6a4b525c8df1a66add6e15be/DBA903DE96C44A9A92B2564BBF557D18.png?branch=production&width=1440&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 --- # Ikenotaira Hotel & Resorts  **AN EXPERIENCE LIKE NO OTHER** Nestled between the western foothills of Mount Tateshina and the Yatsugatake range, Lake Shirakaba is a picturesque example of what Nagano Prefecture has to offer. Sitting on a plateau more than 4,600 feet above sea level, the area provides year-round opportunities for recreation, from golf and cycling to winter sports. In this serene mountain environment, visitors can choose to fill their days with activity, or simply do nothing at all. While many properties in the area lean toward the rustic, Ikenotaira Hotel & Resorts brings a touch of refined elegance, particularly appealing to families seeking a comfortable stay. Recognized annually as one of the country’s leading lakeside resorts, Ikenotaira offers year-round accommodation and activities for guests seeking time away from the commotion of Japan’s major cities. Run by Yoshihiro Yajima, grandson of the resort’s founder, Ikenotaira’s growth has long been intertwined with that of the surrounding area. For more than 80 years, the Yajima family has emphasized sustainable development, from digging wells to supporting local mountaineering initiatives. “Because of our remote location, encouraging guests to stay for more than two nights and fully enjoy the property was a challenge,” Yajima said. “Having built the resort from the ground up, we invested in ski slopes, amusement facilities and trained guides who can take guests into the surrounding mountains. Our approach is closer to community building than conventional resort development.” No stay at a Japanese mountain retreat would be complete without a visit to an onsen hot spring. At Ikenotaira, tradition meets modern comfort with a mixed-use outdoor bath suitable for couples and families, alongside a more traditional indoor bath crafted from hinoki cypress wood. A standout feature is the sauna, which offers panoramic views of the lake. Yajima believes that these wellness facilities are a major draw. “Nagano Prefecture is known for having one of the longest life expectancies in the country, thanks to a combination of lifestyle, diet and strong community ties,” he said. Looking ahead, Yajima plans to deepen these efforts through collaboration with local partners. “In cooperation with Matsumoto University, we are developing healthcare initiatives and offering personalized wellness services for guests,” he said. “Our approach goes beyond conventional hospitality. We hope to share our way of life with those who visit.”  Ikenotaira Hotel & Resorts ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/branded-content/global-kigyo/ikenotaira-hotel-resorts/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/branded-content/global-kigyo/ikenotaira-hotel-resorts/"},"headline":"Ikenotaira Hotel & Resorts","datePublished":"2026-06-18T14:28:38.570Z","dateModified":"2026-06-09T07:28:03.077Z","description":"","url":"https://time.com/branded-content/global-kigyo/ikenotaira-hotel-resorts/","keywords":[],"thumbnailUrl":"","author":[],"articleSection":"","image":[],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Time","url":"https://time.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://time.com/images/logo.png","width":528,"height":156},"foundingDate":"March 3, 1923","sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/time","https://www.instagram.com/time/?hl=en","https://twitter.com/time","https://www.pinterest.com/timemagazine"]}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/branded-content/global-kigyo/ikenotaira-hotel-resorts/","name":"Ikenotaira Hotel & Resorts"}}]}] ```