LUCY Oze Hatomachi by Hoshino Resorts (LUCY尾瀬鳩待 by 星野リゾート), the first property of the mountain hotel brand LUCY run by Hoshino Resorts, will attempt the earliest opening date in LUCY history for its spring 2027 season. A special plan for the occasion, "Full Refund Guarantee If the Mountain Doesn't Open! Spring Snow Mountain Enjoyment Plan" (万が一開山しなければ宿泊料全額返金保証！春の雪山満喫プラン), opens for reservations at 11:00 AM on October 22, 2026.
The hotel sits in Kanto's only special heavy snowfall area (特別豪雪地帯), and the plan makes the most of Oze's abundant remaining snow with late-season snow hikes and backcountry experiences that even snow-mountain beginners can enjoy with peace of mind. If the hotel cannot open because of snowfall or similar conditions, the full accommodation fee is refunded, so travelers can make plans early without worry.
Background
LUCY Oze Hatomachi is located in Katashina Village, Gunma Prefecture, the only special heavy snowfall area in the Kanto region. In Oze National Park, plenty of snow remains until around Golden Week, making it an ideal spot for snow play and snow hikes even in spring. At Mt. Shibutsu in the park, snow hiking and backcountry can be enjoyed every year from mid-April to early May.
Because of the heavy snowfall, however, it is hard to predict snow conditions and the progress of snow removal after the winter closure, which has made it difficult to determine the spring opening date.
This time, the hotel is taking on an opening on April 17, 2027, the earliest in LUCY's history. By guaranteeing a full refund of the accommodation fee if the hotel cannot open depending on the state of Oze's mountain opening, the plan lets travelers book early and plan their trip without risk, and enjoy Oze in the late-snow season.
Three Features of the Spring Snow Mountain Enjoyment Plan
Feature 1: Plenty of Snow Until Golden Week, With Late-Season Hikes in Oze for Snow-Mountain Beginners
Oze, where plenty of snow remains until Golden Week, is an ideal area for a first snow-mountain outing or spring snow play. Mt. Shibutsu, near the hotel, has markers set along its winter route, so even snow-mountain beginners can take on climbing and backcountry with confidence.
Near the summit of Mt. Shibutsu, known as the "holy land of shiri-sede" (Note 1), snow play is also popular (Note 2). For backcountry skiing and snowboarding, large snow slopes spread out near the summit, and there are courses that are approachable for backcountry beginners (Note 3). For this plan, a free rental sled for shiri-sede is available exclusively to guests who book it, making snow play even easier to enjoy.
Note 1: Shiri-sede (also written 尻セード) is a movement technique used when descending a snowy mountain, in which you sit on the snow surface and slide down on your bottom, controlling your speed with both heels or an ice axe. It is a Japanese-made English word combining "shiri" (尻, bottom) and "glissade" (グリセード), the English word for a sliding descent.
Note 2: Care is needed in choosing where to slide, such as avoiding the ascent route made by climbers.
Note 3: For the areas where backcountry skiing is allowed and the periods of use, refer to the latest information on the Oze protection organization's website for the sake of safety and nature conservation.
Feature 2: Comfortable Facilities and Services Suited to Snow Hikes and Backcountry
LUCY Oze Hatomachi offers well-equipped facilities and services so guests can enjoy spring snow hikes and backcountry skiing and snowboarding without stress.
- Drying room: Wet clothing and gear can be dried and stored.
- Lockers: Guests can leave unneeded luggage before check-in or during the hike and set off light. Lockers are available from the morning of the check-in day until 2:00 PM on the check-out day.
- Comfortable stay: A private bedroom, toilets with a warm-water bidet function, and a shower and powder room make for a comfortable stay.
Feature 3: A Full Refund of the Accommodation Fee if the Mountain Doesn't Open, So Early Booking Is Worry-Free
If it is judged that the hotel cannot start operating on the planned opening date because of various circumstances, such as snowfall, the resulting road conditions, or opening preparations, the full accommodation fee is refunded. The refund is made promptly to the person who booked, by three days before the stay date. Reservations open at 11:00 AM on October 22, 2026. Even in the late-snow season, when guests want to enjoy Oze with as much snow as possible and conditions are hard to predict, they can make early travel plans and bookings without risk.
Related Information: Collaboration With Outdoor Brand MAMMUT During the Late-Snow Season
A collaboration with the outdoor brand MAMMUT (マムート) has been decided for the late-snow season, starting from April 17, 2027, when LUCY Oze Hatomachi opens. During this period, MAMMUT will hold a Mt. Shibutsu tour that doubles as an avalanche gear workshop. Details are scheduled to be announced in winter 2027.
Plan Overview: Full Refund Guarantee If the Mountain Doesn't Open! Spring Snow Mountain Enjoyment Plan
Reservations open: October 22, 2026, from 11:00 AM
Eligible period: Check-in from April 17 to April 28, 2027
Perks and details: Full refund guarantee if the hotel cannot open; free rental sled exclusive to this plan. Cancellations made for the guest's own reasons are subject to the regular cancellation policy.
Eligible rooms: Dormitory (1 guest), Twin room (2 guests), Four-person room (4 guests)
Price: From ¥20,100 (tax included, dinner included, per guest in a twin room)
How to reserve: Through the official LUCY Oze Hatomachi website.
About LUCY Oze Hatomachi by Hoshino Resorts
LUCY Oze Hatomachi is a mountain hotel with the concept "the hotel where the best Oze hike begins." It stands at Hatomachi Pass, the gateway to Oze, and staying the night before a hike is recommended. With LUCY's original activities and a convenient, comfortable hotel stay, guests can prepare body and mind for the next morning's hike. On the day of the hike, unneeded luggage can be left with LUCY, so guests can set off light for a pleasant morning hike in Oze.
- Address: 898-14 Nakaharayama, Tokura, Katashina Village, Tone District, Gunma Prefecture
- Phone: 050-3134-8099 (LUCY Reservation Center)
- Rooms: 25 rooms; check-in 2:00 PM, check-out 10:00 AM
- Room breakdown: Dormitory (1 guest) 12 rooms; Twin room (2 guests) 10 rooms; Four-person room (4 guests) 3 rooms
- Price: From ¥14,050 per night (per guest in a twin room shared by 2 guests, tax and service charge included, dinner included)
- Facilities: Public space, shower room, locker space, Food & Drink Station, and "Hatomachi Base Cafe & Shop by Hoshino Resorts" (はとまちベース Cafe & Shop by 星野リゾート), which is also available for day use
- Access: Get off at the "Hatomachi Pass" (鳩待峠) stop on the Kan-etsu Kotsu route bus and walk 3 minutes
- Opening: Scheduled to open from check-ins on April 17, 2027
- Website: https://hoshinoresorts.com/ja/hotels/lucyozehatomachi/
- Instagram: @lucy_ozehatomachi
