Mont Cervin Guest House

Shun and Takatao are the reason I left this remote ski village with such warm memories. In a town with just one ATM, where getting by without fluent Japanese can somehow be a challenge, their kindness and sincerity meant a lot. They also kept things disciplined, like being punctual and taking shoes off. The hosts gave us complimentary rides to and from skiing, and Shun drove us into town after dinner. The hardest part was walking back to the hotel along the road verge, which has no real footpath, with whatever snow or ice was there. It was no big deal: we burned off a few beer calories, enjoyed the night sky and scenery, and got better at balancing on icy nights. Thanks, Shun and Takatao, for being so welcoming and helping us have a memorable stay in Akakuraonsen while meeting and managing our changing needs. There were a few surprises in the place. Our attic room was up stairs that felt safe to climb or descend only like a ladder. At first the pillow felt like a lump of sweaters, though I got used to it. We made the mistake of leaving the AC on overnight, and the room got quite warm. That's when we discovered the doona kept us warm so well that it was all we needed for a good night's sleep. Maybe because I shower at an odd time, I never had trouble getting access, even though the hotel looked full and there were only two shower rooms, each of which could be used by a group.

The owners and managers were some of the kindest, most gracious hosts I've met. They drove us between Suginohara, Kanko and Akakura Onsen ski resorts, took us to the village in the evening, and even drove us down to the train station. The rooms were super cosy, and breakfast and the little bar area were amazing. Highly recommend this for a ski holiday. I'm sure it would be a great spot in other seasons too.

The owners' handmade meals were the best part of my stay. They cooked the food themselves with ingredients from their own garden, blending Western and Eastern styles. I was blown away by the feast and liked the three-course "Mont Cervin orignal" set so much that I ordered it every day for the rest of my visit. At the end, they kindly offered to take me to the train station, which took a lot of stress away. This quaint pension in the Japanese Alps is Swiss-themed, with a Swiss Alps feel and a Japanese twist that makes it especially endearing. I felt well cared for, and the Western-style beds are handy if you're not used to Japanese-style rooms. A twin room fits two suitcases, one per guest, and I was very comfortable there on my own. There are two reasonably sized baths, while all the toilets are shared and in the hallway. The pension runs a shuttle to nearby resorts and offers discounted lift tickets for Suginohara, akakura onsen and Kanko. I thoroughly enjoyed my time here, and it's become a core memory. I'll definitely stay again when my travels bring me back to Myoko.

The owners are such a lovely, wholesome couple, always glad to help or drive our large group into town. The hostel is close enough to the ski fields and town that it's an easy walk back after a night out. There's even a small onsen with one tub. I'd recommend staying here to anyone.