HIGASHIYAMA NISEKO VILLAGE, A RITZ-CARLTON RESERVE

It’s all about the transient beauty of nature at Japan’s first RitzCarlton Reserve, which opened its doors in the Hokkaido ski town of Niseko last December. Underpinning its concept is the proverb kachou fuugetsu—which means “flower, bird, wind, moon”—with hints of nature interwoven throughout the sleek design of the 50-room hotel. The biggest scene-stealer is Mount Yotei—often dubbed a mini Mount Fuji due to its perfect conical form—which looms large through walls of windows in the two restaurants: atmospheric Yukibana, with its antler chandeliers and seasonal Hokkaido cuisine; and Sushi Nagi, an elegant omakase-style restaurant that does wonderful things with the region’s famous seafood. Guest rooms are opulently decked with plush forest-inspired carpets, cherry-blossom textile panels, and deep stone-clad baths with views of either Mount Yotei or the ski slopes of Niseko Annupuri. Best of all, this is a year-round destination: despite Niseko’s reputation as a mecca for winter sports, the surrounding countryside transforms into a fresh expanse of green every spring, with boundless opportunities for outdoor recreation. ritzcarlton.com; doubles from US$500