Horideyu Shiki no Sato

The staff were friendly and the food was good. I didn't give a higher rating because of the water. It isn't hot spring water, and I think it's just heated water, since the chemical smell was too strong.

Not bad.

I booked this hotel because it was near the interchange and I wanted somewhere around Hakuba Happo-One Ski Resort. I hadn't expected much from the name, but it turned out great. The room-selection plan gave me an inexpensive stay. The food tasted homemade, and the breakfast buffet had lots of side dishes and desserts. The room was clean and spacious, and there was even an open-air bath, all for good value. Staff at reception and elsewhere were friendly and polite. They welcomed us and gave detailed tourist information with a map. I was glad to find a place where you get the kindness, cleanliness, tasty food, and strong hospitality of a Japanese inn at this price. One thing they could improve: the bathroom hair dryer costs extra. I'd rather pay a little more for the room and have it included.

This hotel sits on a hill, and I visited for a daytime hot spring bath. Quite a few other day visitors were there. Admission is 700 yen, or 600 yen with a JAF (Japan Automobile Federation) card. My companion also got the 600 yen rate using the same card. The indoor bath was a little hot and had the familiar chlorine disinfectant smell. The open-air bath was comfortable for a long soak, but the hill didn't provide the view I'd expected. It felt more like a walled green area. The Google Maps photos made the place seem much larger, perhaps because of a wide-angle lens, but it wasn't very spacious in person. Watch out for two lockers with the same number: the keys are green and yellow and each has two numbers. There are vending machines with various drinks, plus a rest area. The shop sells soft serve, which some people were eating in the rest area. You can also buy meal tickets from vending machines for items like katsu curry and clam rice, then take a ticket to the front desk to get a microwaved frozen meal. That's handy while Restaurant Ki is closed.