Ryokan Kawahiro

A traditional Japanese place, which we liked. We stayed four nights, and breakfast alternated between Japanese and Western. Both were really nice. It’s also close to the lifts, so it was a perfect place to stay.

The location was the only upside. It’s close to the ski rental shop and gondola, but I would not recommend staying here. Our experience was extremely poor. The room was spacious, but sleeping on the floor was very uncomfortable and made it hard to rest. Staff also called at 7:30 in the morning to announce breakfast, so we had no chance to sleep in. The shared bathroom was disgusting and unhygienic. While I was trying to get ready, an Asian family staying next door used the bathroom sink to blow their noses, spit and eat. Staff did nothing about it, even though it was obvious. The showers were a nightmare too. The shower heads were below hip height, so you had to bend down to wash, and you had to keep pressing a button to keep the water running. They’re in an open area near reception, where other guests can easily see you naked. There was no privacy. The place felt unhealthy, invasive and poorly managed. Save yourself the discomfort and look elsewhere.

Easy to get to, with clean facilities and a good breakfast. The location is the best part!

The futon mattresses were comfortable after a long day on the mountain, and the shared bathroom was always spotless. The onsen was nearly always empty while we were there. For our family ski holiday, it was a great spot, with a drying room for our gear and coin-operated washer and dryer. The host was so kind. We loved the generous served breakfasts, which gave us a chance to try new things.