Lodge Matsuya

There’s no private bath or cubicle shower, as far as I could tell, only the public onsen. The host was great, and we had a pleasant stay in compact but cosy rooms. The host provided a sumptuous breakfast, and there were water dispensers too. It’s fairly close to Nagasaka station, where you can rent skis and take the gondola up to the slopes, though the walk there is on a steep incline.

The hosts are wonderful and make you feel welcome while respecting your privacy. This was a great choice for solo travelers or couples. The lodge isn’t luxury, but I felt better there than in many luxury hotels I’ve stayed at, and the value was excellent. Breakfast was tasty and beautifully prepared, the kind I could eat every day. The Japanese hospitality was top-notch. The room had its own air conditioning, which kept it comfortable in the hot summer, and the indoor onsen was clean. Public onsens and the bus stop were a short walk away.

The room was much bigger than I expected, and the location made it easy to get to onsens, food, and bars in the middle of town. The shared bathrooms were clean, with plenty on each floor. I never ran into anyone else while using them. It’s such a quaint lodge for Nozawa Onsen. The woman at the front desk was incredible. I saw her all over the place, cleaning, shoveling snow, and looking after the desk.

We stayed three nights and had a lovely time. There’s a ski room in the basement for drying wet gear, and our room had enough heating, comfortable futons, and a large cupboard for luggage. Rooms are only reached by stairs, so if you have lots of bags and equipment, ask for a lower floor. The room we had didn’t have a toilet, so we used the shared ones. They were very clean and well maintained. Breakfast and dinner were nice, with Japanese and Western options. The only place to bathe or shower is the onsen on the ground floor, so be prepared if public bathing is unfamiliar to you. The lodge has an old-school Japanese feel and is about five minutes from the Chuo bus terminal and the main street. It’s also close to the Yu Road travellator up to the ski area.