Guesthouse Hoaloha 4 Seasons

We spent a few nights here in August during the fireworks festival in Suwa. Nao and her family were incredibly fun and gracious hosts, and the communal feel was lovely. We met other families in a beautiful setting. Our kids, aged 9 and 11, said this was their favorite part of our Japan trip. Highly recommend!

I discovered Hoaloha through its website and have decided to make it a regular stop when I visit Kirigamine. I go there every year to enjoy nature and reset, and this inn feels healing. They only moved the inn from Ishigaki Island about a year ago, apparently, but the other guests were all wonderful. There were even some children from overseas who seemed to be on homestays. On this visit we walked around Yashima Marsh, Odoriba Marsh, and Kurumayama Marsh. The scenery, the people, the food, and the inn itself were all amazing, and I feel ready to do my best again tomorrow. I’ll return with friends for winter snowboarding. I love the design, the food, the coffee made by the adorable barista, the hot springs, and the warmth of the owners, who are world travelers. I even bought a T-shirt.

My husband and I came to ski, and the owner drove us to and from the guesthouse, which is just a three-minute drive from the resort. We also got a special discount on lift tickets, which was good value. After skiing, it was lovely to soak in the radium hot spring bath. The atmosphere is retro, and guests take turns reserving it for private use. The owner’s daughter is a barista at the attached cafe, and her coffee was delicious. The latte art was so cute that my husband and I ordered several cups. There were lots of children among the guests, and the owner loves kids, so families felt comfortable and safe. The colorful wallpaper and cute floral pattern made the place feel like being abroad. Breakfast was pancakes, and dinner was shabu-shabu made with meat from Nagano Prefecture. Both were delicious, and the portions were generous, with plenty of local vegetables. The mountain views were spectacular, and the owner’s warm smile really lifted our spirits. I’d like to visit again during the fresh greenery and fall leaves. Thank you very much.

We spent two nights here during the 2025 ski season. Kurumayama Ski Resort is a three-minute drive away, or you can walk if you’re up for it. A wood-burning stove by the entrance gives the place a warm welcome, and the meals are so generous you’ll be stuffed. It’s a friendly, homey, traditional Japanese guesthouse, not somewhere to expect a quiet stay. There seem to be two bathrooms, each large enough for two people, and guests use them in turns. Since it’s newly opened, the operation may still have room to improve. We had a fun, comfortable, relaxing stay, though the owner’s personality really comes through, so it may not suit everyone.