Tanuki Nozawa

I spent five nights here in December. The studio was spacious, with a good-sized living room for relaxing after skiing. The bathroom was well maintained and had strong water pressure, though there was no bathtub. Breakfast at Tanuki Cafe was delicious, but a few more choices would help for longer stays. The town location is central, right in the middle of the quaint village. Getting around the building was less pleasant. The stairs up to reception and the rooms were very narrow, and I felt nervous on them every day, especially after skiing. There was no soundproofing, so I could hear the family and kids in the room opposite jumping around daily. I also had a very off-putting check-in experience. The receptionist kept asking aggressively for the name on my booking, even after I said I needed time to check and offered the Booking ID I had saved in my calendar. They could have politely asked for my passport copy and checked the booking name in the system. I have never had someone demand it this way elsewhere; usually I provide my passport and staff check it themselves. Please train your staff well. I wasn’t provided any other services, and had to ask for room slippers because there weren’t any in the room. That’s why I rated it two stars. The walk to Nagasaka gondola was quite long because Hikage wasn’t open in mid December yet, so keep that in mind.

The roomy living areas made it easy for our group to unwind after a long day on the slopes, and the modern amenities worked well for us. It’s not traditional-style accommodation, but the rooms and shared spaces rival places I’ve stayed outside Japan. We had four people in a room meant for six, and it was still a great deal for the price. The location and rooms were fantastic. Great for international travelers, groups, and powder. I’m already keen to come back and would book here again without hesitation. Couldn’t recommend it more.

The hotel was close to a public onsen, which was crazy hot, and to a local brewery. There’s also a restaurant in the building, though it was closed during our stay. Our room felt quite large by Japanese standards, and the place seemed brand new. It had a nice mix of Japanese style and European practicality, with everything we needed close at hand and some very nice complimentary goods.

The staff were great and went above and beyond to help us plan outings in the area. We spent seven nights in the penthouse, a huge apartment with two bedrooms, each with its own shower and toilet. There was a sitting area with a modern TV and a selection of channels, plus a large balcony with armchairs and a table. The kitchenette had an electric stove, dishwasher, large fridge, and a washer and dryer. It was a comfortable, pleasant place to stay, and there are several public onsen near the hotel. We’re already thinking about coming back.