The Ritz Carlton Nikko

Founded on ground that has drawn mountain worship since the 8th century, The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko sits beside Lake Chuzenji, Japan's highest natural lake, which has served as a summer retreat since the late 1800s. The hotel occupies Nikko National Park in the Oku-Nikko highlands, near the Kegon Falls and the Senjogahara wetlands. Rooms come with a private bathroom, Nespresso machine and free Wi-Fi. The spa holds the brand's first onsen hot-spring facility, fed by geothermal water from Nikko Yumoto Onsen; guests can book a private outdoor pool alongside the shared baths. You can walk to Chuzenji Temple, founded in 784, for a fire ceremony where monks chant as cedar sticks burn. Toshogu Shrine and Rinnoji Temple lie a guided excursion away, with a purification ritual once reserved for the Tokugawa shoguns. A woodcarving class, taught in the Nikko-bori style by local artisans, uses a hikkaki chisel unique to the tradition. The Japanese Restaurant serves a multicourse kaiseki dinner on local Mashiko ware. Electric mountain bikes are available for exploring at your own pace. The fitness studio runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week.