Sora no Mori Hotel Hanagori

The stars were incredible. Around 8:30 PM, a hotel staff member took our family outside, shone a light on the night sky, and explained the constellations like a planetarium show. We were really moved by the beautiful sight. The male staff member was kind and attentive from booking through check-in, and we’re grateful for his help. We hadn’t stayed at the hotel before, and this was our first campervan trip with our two dogs and family of three. We used the RV park, where we could also use the facility’s restrooms and baths. Dinner was a Tajima beef barbecue, and breakfast was hearty sandwiches with hot pot-au-feu. Everything was wonderful, and we’d definitely like to return. Thank you!

I’ve stayed here several times, and the friendly staff and warm atmosphere make it a comfortable place. Rates are a little higher than average for lodgings near the ski resort, and it seems to draw lots of couples and families. The hotel is 100m from the Ojiro Ski Resort gondola station. You can leave your car there and walk over to the resort whenever you like. They use local ingredients, and the Ojiro rice is delicious, with as many refills as you want. The large public bath uses hot spring water. There’s a big fireplace in the lobby, plus toys, Othello and other games, and manga for adults and kids to enjoy. Some rooms have in-room planetariums. The free electric massage chairs on the second-floor landing are a nice extra.

We had a wonderful stay and I’m really glad we came. Dinner was a barbecue set with Tajimaguro, a hard-to-find brand of beef. Breakfast included homemade sandwiches, pot-au-feu, pickles, and dessert. We ate on the terrace in lovely weather, which was amazing. In June, we also paid 800 yen per person for a firefly tour. The owner guided us along a nearby mountain trail, and there were so many wild fireflies. It felt mystical. The natural hot spring was relaxing, though the bath itself isn’t especially large. My wife and I checked in Sunday and left Monday. It was an unusual, quiet night, and we ended up with the hotel to ourselves. I was happy, but also felt a little sorry for the staff. The owner gave us great service with a smile. He was very gentlemanly, and our room was spacious and clean. They’d thought of what we might need, with things like a humidifier and air purifier. I’ll definitely visit again.

The Kusube River gorge near the inn looks like a nice place to walk, with its smooth rock formations. At the inn, breakfast came to our room, and the sandwiches and pot-au-feu were very satisfying. Dinner was a course meal of sukiyaki, and the Tajima beef was delicious.