Around Northern Shiga Highland × Stays Popular For SunsetsHighly rated Hotel·Ryokan

Our stay for three men, all turning 72 this year, was very enjoyable. - We could park right in front of the Hotel, and the lift ticket counter is connected to the front desk. The 1-day pass was inexpensive (about half the price of other ski resorts), and Accommodation guests also received a 500-yen discount. - Both the Room and the large public bath were spacious, so we could relax. The dinner buffet included 1 hour of all-you-can-drink, and although there was no all-you-can-eat crab option, dishes were replenished quickly when they ran out, which we enjoyed. - A few points to consider: the air conditioner in the Room was quite noisy, and there were no chairs in the ski locker room. Also, the shop’s refrigerator only had ice cream and no ice; unfortunately, a store diagonally across from the parking lot had sold out of ice as well. All of the Southeast Asian staff at both reception and the restaurant were very pleasant—thank you for a wonderful ski trip.

The Onsen water quality was excellent. From arrival until departure the next morning, we could use the large public bath at any time, and we enjoyed soaking in it many times. The building was kept very clean, and the staff at the Accommodation were wonderful. Although it is located in the central area of Shiga Kogen, it is a quiet environment. The air felt completely different from the heat down below. I think it is also a great base for trekking to places like Takamagahara and Higashidateyama. The only disappointment was that the weather was bad, so we couldn’t see the spectacular Northern Alps view that should have been visible from the window. Next time, I’d like to come back for a retry—possibly during ski season as well.

We visited as a couple and stayed in a Room for two with a private bath. The view from the bath was amazing—we were able to see a sea of clouds, which was the highlight of our stay. If I had to wish for something, it would be for the window to open wider. At first, it seemed like there weren’t many staff members, but every time we passed someone, they greeted us warmly. The Accommodation was quiet, and we could also enjoy complimentary drinks on the balcony, which was wonderful. The road getting there was quite tough, so it felt like an accomplishment! It was such a warm Accommodation—they even checked in with us about the weather.

The top recommendation is the private open-air bath on the rooftop. There are two options, A and B; if you can book the evening slot to watch the sunset, choose A. Since the rooftop bath has only one faucet and no shampoo or other amenities, it’s best to wash up first in the large public bath on the first floor, which is fully equipped. Guests are responsible for laying out their own futons, including putting on the sheets. This may not suit those looking for a classic Ryokan experience where your bedding is prepared while you’re at dinner, but room rates are more reasonable as a result. The Shinshu beef sukiyaki dinner was excellent. We bought drinks and snacks at Yamauchi Shoten across from the Ryokan (open until 7:00 PM—please note), but we ended up too full and had to take them back with us the next day. The Ryokan is also perfectly located for visiting multiple public baths, making it easy to take a break at the Accommodation between stops around mealtimes. Shuttle Service times are set to match Nagano Dentetsu limited express trains. If you’d like to explore town after check-out, you can take a bus (e.g., from Shibu-Wago bus stop) to Yudanaka Station, but be aware there may be little time between arriving at the station and your train’s departure.