Norikura Kogen Berg House

Five guest Rooms on the second floor, facing all four directions; one has an in-room bath. (The Accommodation’s official website seems a bit outdated—perhaps two Rooms were combined and an in-room bath was added. The restaurant has also been renovated so that all seating is in private rooms.) The private baths in the separate log cottage building number two for about 4–5 parties, so they’re almost always available. They’re spacious and excellent. After bathing, we were served fresh craft beer on tap with thoughtful snacks—much appreciated for such understanding hospitality. The Accommodation looks just like the photos on the site, and the quality of both the meals and the service matches the Reviews. You can feel how much care goes into their hospitality. On the first floor there are a lobby and front desk, restaurant, wine cellar, plus a lounge and library. The shelves are packed with well-cared-for books, and we were able to spend quiet time there as well. The gently suggested dress code at dinner likely reflects how seriously they take their cuisine. Seasonal and local ingredients are prepared with great care and served attentively. The paired wines are poured generously. Nights are quiet, and in the morning you hear bush warblers singing nonstop.

Staying at Berg House is always a delight, especially because of the seasonal dishes made with fresh vegetables and fruits. We always stay in the same room, making it feel more like returning home than just staying at an accommodation. This time, we were particularly impressed by the soup made with Kawakajima Hakuto peaches. On our way back, we searched for these peaches at a farmer's market as they had a firm texture yet were perfectly sweet, just as their son who served us mentioned. My spouse and I agreed that we must have these peaches again next year. The carefully prepared dishes using low-temperature cooking reflect the high level of professionalism and dedication to pleasing guests. Among all accommodations we've stayed at, this is one that makes us want to return as soon as possible after every checkout—a truly beloved place!