Sekkaso

My family came from Taiwan and stayed here on January 30th of this year. We decided at the last minute, about a week beforehand, because it was so close to the ski resort. We were really glad we chose Sekkaso, also called Snow Flower Villa in the other account of our stay. After staying in modern hotels on recent trips, I loved the traditional old-Japan atmosphere here. As a foreign visitor, it made me feel, “Ah, I'm really in Japan!” The facilities and restaurants in the city may be more dependable, but Snow Flower Villa had a real sense of history. During our stay, the power went out amid a blizzard and freezing temperatures. The owner's family worked hard to restore it and took care of everyone's comfort, which helped us feel reassured. They were looking after our family's safety despite the storm. Power still hadn't come back by checkout the next morning, so the owner offered us a discount on the room rate. We were touched by his sincerity and sense of responsibility. Dinner was delicious, Rikoya was very sweet, and the hot springs were relaxing. The room and breakfast had a strong Japanese feel. We still remember the experience as a special family memory. I'd recommend this place to travelers who want to ski and experience Japanese culture and the warmth of its people. Thank you to the owners and their family for their hospitality.

If your room is near the toilet, inconsiderate older hikers may keep startling you at night by banging the sliding door open and shut. Earplugs don't stop the rattling and clanging from startling you. They could probably reduce the noise without spending much, for example by adding cushions to the edges of the toilet door or replacing the pulleys.

I stayed one night before climbing Mt. Oyama. The location worked really well, with easy access to the temple, the shrine approach, and the surrounding area. Dinner and breakfast were delicious. They even made me giant rice balls to take on the climb, and the ones I ate at the top of the mountain tasted especially good.

I stayed on September 14th and 15th, the night before climbing Mt. Daisen. The building is old, but I think that's part of its charm. The people are warm, and I'd recommend it. For dinner, I chose the plan with mountain and sea delicacies. It included sashimi, grilled and fried dishes, steamed rice, and sukiyaki, and everything was tasty and satisfying. I asked for rice balls to take along so I could start climbing in the morning. On the day, I was given tea and a package before setting off. Inside were two giant rice balls and some pickled radish, which made me very happy. The inn felt old-fashioned, but it was clean and comfortable. The bath, toilet, and water source are shared, and the wooden floors creak loudly when you walk, like at my grandparents' house. It may not suit fussy travelers or people who prefer a traditional inn. Towels, bath towels, toothbrushes and toothpaste, conditioner, and body soap were provided. Bring your own body towel and skin care products. As the host mentioned, there are no convenience stores or supermarkets nearby, though there are a few small souvenir shops. Drink vending machines are easy to find, but there are only a few restaurants, and they close around 6 pm. There's a Montbell store just before the trailhead selling climbing gear, so you should be fine if you're worried about preparing for the hike.