Auberge Ninguruforet

We enjoyed how quiet it was, with hardly anyone around while we were there. The cabin sits in a secluded forest area, off the main road, and we actually missed the sign showing where to turn in. Inside, it was spacious and clean, with a bedroom, basic kitchen, and sitting area. Heaters kept it warm on cold nights, and the futons were comfortable. We did laundry and made simple meals, and the WiFi was strong.

The cabins are tucked away, and it's easy to miss the driveway sign. It's also a bit far from convenience stores and restaurants. Still, this was a lovely place to get proper rest away from city life. The clean, spacious rooms had a cute French village feel, and the staff were friendly. I slept better here than anywhere else on this trip during our two-night stay. Blue Pond and the lavender farms are only about 15 minutes away, making them easy stops for a day out in the Biei area.

Stock up on food, snacks, and drinks before you arrive if you aren't having dinner at the property. It's secluded, and though WiFi is available, the connection can come and go because of the deep mountain location. Check-in was pleasant for our overnight stay. The gravel paths make it hard to pull luggage even with the provided wagon, so pack light and bring a small separate bag for your stay. I wouldn't recommend it for kids.

It's quite out of the way, so we decided to have dinner at the property in case we couldn't find somewhere nearby. The place itself was quiet, clean, and unusual in a good way.