Pension Himawari

A nice escape from the city. If you’re trying to dodge the hot summer weather too, this is a good place to come.

Even though I had a reservation, when I called to confirm it they said they hadn’t received it and had no rooms available. After I pushed for an explanation, they gave a vague answer that it might have been taken by someone with dementia. Given the hotel’s generally poor reputation, I suppose I shouldn’t have been surprised, but I had to find somewhere else to stay. At least this didn’t happen on the day of my trip.

We made a last-minute booking in Karuizawa. The place seemed a bit old, but it was quiet, and the elderly couple were very friendly. Our kids keep saying they want to come back next year. The rooms are close together, though, so a noisy group nearby could be an issue.

Had a fun time! All the barbecue gear was there, so we just needed to buy the food and seasonings. The closest convenience store is about a five-minute drive away. ＼(^o^)／