Hotel Mori no Kaze Oushuku stands on a small hill embraced by a lush green forest. While it resembles a Western castle, the relaxing time spent here is filled with the warmth of local culture.
Facing the building dyed with Japanese wax tree dye is the approximately 20,000-tsubo (about 66,000 square meters) "Flower & Garden," which features several gardens including forest hills and forest valleys. Supervised by world-renowned garden designer Kazuyuki Ishihara, it is illuminated at night with a dazzling array of 330,000 lights. The "Night Garden & Illumination" event, held from November to early January, is themed around Kenji Miyazawa's "Night on the Galactic Railroad," with lines of light resembling railway tracks and spherical illuminations that look like planets floating in a galaxy, creating a fantastical sparkle.
Stepping through the entrance, you are enveloped in a spacious and luxurious lobby. You are greeted by adorable dolls, inspired by Kenji Miyazawa's works such as "Matasaburo of the Wind" and "The Acorn and the Wildcat," adorning the staircase of the open-plan lounge.

What captivates everyone is the open-air bath with its dynamic views. There are two bathing areas, one Western-style and one Japanese-style, which are used on a rotating basis. While soaking in the soft, smooth hot spring water, you can enjoy the panoramic views of the Shizukuishi Basin, Mount Iwate, and Mount Himegami.
Oshuku Onsen, which opened approximately 450 years ago, was once a therapeutic hot spring resort and has been known for its abundant hot spring water and skin-beautifying properties. The "Shikisai" rooms, which feature 100% natural hot spring water flowing directly from the source, allow you to enjoy this famous spring all to yourself. There are a variety of room types, including Japanese-style rooms, Japanese-style twin rooms with low beds, Western-style twin and triple rooms, Japanese-Western style rooms, and barrier-free rooms with electric reclining beds. The guest room baths come in two types: cypress or ceramic, the beds use Airweave mattresses, and the rooms are equipped with air purifiers, creating a high-quality space. High-quality yukata and amenities exclusive to Shikisai are also provided.
Guests can enjoy a special menu featuring abundant seafood and mountain delicacies from Iwate Prefecture in a private room at "Robatayaki Sansatei," a retro Showa-era Nanbu-style restaurant. Dinner is a special creative kaiseki meal prepared with carefully selected local ingredients, and breakfast is a "Shikisai Special Japanese Set Meal."

The perfect place for anniversaries or a stay with a special someone is the detached hotel "Kaen," which has a natural hot spring bath and is surrounded by a garden overlooking Mt. Iwate, also known as the Southern Half of Fuji.
The VIP room "Jutaku" and three special rooms "Kosai", "Ataki" and "Kocho". "Jutaku", built in the sukiya style, is a Japanese-style room with 17 tatami mats and 6 tatami mats, while the three special rooms are Japanese-style rooms with 12.5 tatami mats and 6 tatami mats, creating a purely Japanese-style space where you can enjoy the most exquisite time surrounded by tranquility.
The true pleasure of natural hot spring water can be enjoyed in the indoor cypress bath and the open-air bath overlooking the ever-changing garden.
For both dinner and breakfast, you can dine in your room, as is the standard for hot spring inns. For dinner, you can enjoy the chef's special "Kaen Special Kaiseki" meal, served on a raised or set table without worrying about the people around you.

Just after 8 PM, the sound of drums echoes across the second floor. The "Festival Square" on the second floor has officially opened. More and more people start to gather.
The show opens with a folk song and local performing arts performance by one of Iwate's top folk singers. Underneath the lanterns, there are stalls reminiscent of a traditional Japanese festival, with food stalls, shooting galleries, and lottery games. The staff has put their heart and soul into providing an enjoyable experience for both adults and children.
Next up was a mochi-making session with the guests. Even though they had just finished dinner, the freshly made mochi disappeared quickly. It was a performance filled with smiles and full stomachs.
The following morning, be sure to take a stroll through one of the world's largest flower and gardens. Surrounded by the vibrant colors of flowers, you can also catch a glimpse of authentic British gardening techniques.
The "Nightingale Forest," which leads to the flower and garden, is a walking trail that lets you experience the seasons of Shizukuishi. In summer, you can try catching char in the stream, and in autumn, you can go mushroom hunting. It feels just like playing in the fields and mountains of your hometown.

The dinners included in the standard room plans are also exquisite. Depending on the plan, you can enjoy "Creative Kaiseki" or "Creative Japanese Cuisine," where you savor several dishes in succession, "Robata Kaiseki" enjoyed by the hearth at Robatayaki Sansatei, or "Japanese Cuisine Set," featuring five different flavor dishes.
The head chef aims to create a variety of dishes that cherish the seasons and ingredients, based on the concept of "what if we were to make a full Western course meal in Japanese cuisine..." He creates a gourmet experience with "Ikkon Kaiseki," where each dish is a delight to behold. In this age where buffets are the norm, this spirit is especially welcome. Breakfast is also full of fresh ingredients from Shizukuishi and dishes made to order.