Pension Little Pine

The food was the standout for me. Nothing was frozen, everything was homemade, with freshly grown vegetables and chicken that seemed freshly butchered. I left very satisfied and would like to come back in winter. I visited in summer. The building seems to have originally been made for winter ski stays. It's old but renovated and very clean, though the walls are thin, so keep that in mind. I was surprised when the landlady started by carefully wiping the wheels of my suitcase. She’s quite a clean freak, and the inside was spotless.

Such a homey place to stay while skiing. Dinner was delicious, with hot pot and lots of other dishes to order. They provided towels, toothbrushes, and hair dryers. Thanks for everything. I’d like to stay here again.

The food is what makes this place special. The sukiyaki with local chicken and wild boar is superb, tender, and has no unpleasant smell. They use eggs from local chickens too. Refills cost extra, but if a cold snap leaves it too cold, the chickens may stop laying and refills might not be available. Dessert is a simple bavarois made with those eggs, and it’s uniquely delicious. Some days they serve trout sashimi, and for a multi-night stay, dinner changes without you having to ask. We’ve stayed here many times during ski season, just before the entrance to Shirao Ski Resort. Though it’s called a pension, I think the rooms are split about evenly between Western and Japanese styles. The bathroom, toilet, and washroom are shared, so it feels more like a guesthouse. When our children were small, we skied in the Mino area two or three times each season and tried places around here. Once we found this one, we stopped going elsewhere. It’s family-run, and the people are kind, gentle, and friendly without talking too much. That comfortable distance makes the stay pleasant. The building is small, just two stories, and a little underwhelming as accommodation. Still, for the location, food, and value, I can’t imagine choosing anywhere else. It’s a shame that since Shirao Ski Resort closed last season, getting to other resorts from here is inconvenient, so it no longer works well for ski season. Back when we visited, they gave out discounted lift tickets for Shirao Ski Resort and Meihou Ski Resort.

At this farmhouse pension, you get homemade Mino chicken and eggs along with fresh mountain stream fish, vegetables, and rice. Gujo is one of Japan's places known for delicious water, and the rice cooked with that famous water is good enough to make the trip for. If rice matters to you, give it a try.