Ninguru Standard House

The atmosphere was really friendly, and English was spoken. There was so much care in the details. Breakfast and dinner were both spot on and generous. Breakfast included all sorts of treats, especially the best fresh croissants we had in Japan, baked by a bakery chef in the owner’s family. They also handled our food restrictions thoughtfully at dinner, and everything was delicious. The owner is a professional photographer and can arrange a photo workshop for guests.

We stayed two nights in December 2022 as a family, from grandparents to grandchildren, and the hosts were attentive to everyone’s different needs. Even with only basic English from the team, communication was no problem. Kent and the staff showed sincere kindness and paid close attention to guests, leaving us with wonderful memories. The food was a treat too, especially the homemade croissants and cake. The rooms were a little dated but very clean and well kept, with amazing winter views. This was a highlight of our three weeks in Hokkaido, and the hospitality beat even higher-end hotels we stayed at. I hope we can return. Highly recommended.

We stayed two nights last week for our silver wedding anniversary, and during dinner they surprised us with a lovely cake. Kent San looked after us throughout, and Takashi San took care of the meals. The freshly baked croissants at breakfast, made by Takashi San, were the best I’ve had. The salad and milk were so fresh each morning, and I’m already missing them. Kent San also shared his well-known photos of the blue pond in different seasons and other spots around Biei. He’s passionate and generous about his photography, and we chatted late into the evening. We joined his photo tour, saw where he took some of the pictures, and picked up tips at the different locations. I’d recommend it if you enjoy photography. The hotel is very clean and well maintained, and we’ll visit again on a future family trip to Hokkaido.

Kent was such a sweetheart. We didn’t have a rental car, and as soon as we arrived he offered to take us to the station the following day. Over a delicious dinner we talked about photography and our backgrounds, then the next morning he drove us to scenic spots around biei. It was a fantastic experience. The rooms and onsen were nice too, and the freshly baked croissant and melon in the morning were incredible.