Long ago, Karuizawa began to prosper as a post-station town accommodating travelers on long journeys, and it was known for its scenic view of Mt. Asama. However, the area began to decline with the abolition of the post-station system and the opening of the New Usui Road in the Meiji era (1868-1912). It was a minister of the Anglican Church of Canada named Alexander Croft Shaw (hereinafter, Shaw) who sparked the revival of the depopulated Karuizawa area.

It all began in 1886 when Shaw and James Main Dixon, an instructor at Imperial University, stayed at an inn named Kameya, the predecessor of Mampei Hotel. It is said that Mampei, who could not speak English and knew nothing of Western cuisine, did his best to make their stay comfortable, and that the two were so moved by his overwhelming kindness that, upon returning to Tokyo, they began to tell everyone of how wonderful they found Karuizawa.
Mampei believed that hotels would become increasingly important in Karuizawa in the future, and in 1894, he changed the name of his establishment from “Kameya Inn” to “Kameya Hotel,” and rebranded it as a Western-style hotel exclusively for foreigners. Two years later, he once again changed the name to Mampei Hotel to make it easier for foreigners to pronounce.

Mampei Hotel was relocated to its current spot in Sakuranosawa in 1902. Although the original structure no longer exists, the current Alps Wing was designed in 1936 by Kume Gonkuro, who also designed Nikko Kanaya Hotel, Fuji View Hotel, and many others.

The Pacific War broke out roughly five years after the completion of the Alps Wing. Following the war, the facilities were used for a period of time as a special service hotel exclusively for officers to rest and relax. Throughout such turbulent times, the hotel has continued to evolve and develop together with the Karuizawa area.
The Atago and Asama Wings were added in the late 1960s, and the Usui Wing was constructed in 2001, enabling the hotel to welcome numerous business leaders and celebrities from within Japan and overseas, and become widely loved by its guests.

The Alps Wing was registered as a tangible cultural property in 2018. It underwent major renovations in 2024 to commemorate the 130th anniversary of the hotel’s founding, and has once again begun welcoming guests.

Becoming a hotel that remains memorable for 150 to 200 years to come.
As we move forward, we will continue to welcome guests with the same enduring hospitality.