raw_

We ended up really happy with the room. It’s large, modern, and well equipped, and quite a unique stay for this area. In winter, though, the rooftop jacuzzi probably won’t get much use because it has no cover. They gave us tickets for a nearby onsen, which we appreciated. There isn’t much soundproofing between the bedroom and living room, so watching TV while the kids sleep may be difficult. At first the setup felt impersonal: there’s no reception, most contact happens by message, and the door code won’t work before the 3 pm check-in. That changed when we ate at the ramen shop next door, which is run by the hotel owner. He’s a great ramen cook, a former professional snowboarder, and a dad of three. He and his wife chatted with us and treated us to welcome drinks. The ramen is amazing, though the line can get long. Not having a car may make the location seem inconvenient, but the owner showed us how to get around. The bus stop is a two- or three-minute walk away, with buses to Goryu Escal Plaza and back to Shinjuku in Tokyo. Still, having a car is probably better. Honestly, I’d stay here just for the ramen. It’s that good.

Such a cozy little room, and the design is really good. I loved it.

I’d been curious about the stylish container hotel next to Takahashi-ya, the ramen shop I always visit in Hakuba Village, so I finally stayed last month. We booked room #2 for two people for one night, but it was so comfortable that we extended to two. The modern interior, nice appliances and furniture, and locally sourced amenities all showed how much care went into the details. They even explained which local products were used. It snowed heavily during our stay, but the parking area had been cleared properly, which was a relief. We used the code emailed the day before to check in, and liked being able to stay without contact during the pandemic. There’s a private rooftop bathtub accessible from the room. Taking a bath in the snowy scenery was a wonderful memory. And whenever we got hungry, Takahashi-ya was right next door. I’d like to stay again on my next visit to Hakuba. Thank you!

The room looked stylish and was clean, and I had a great time there.