Pension Silver Fern

The loft felt squeezed into a standard-sized room and wasn’t very tall, and there wasn’t a lounge area with a fireplace or sofa to gather in after dinner. The dining room is cleared the next morning for preparations. Breakfast is self-service, with pizzas toasted one at a time, so the three of us needed at least 20 minutes even when eating in a hurry. People with sensitive skin may notice a slight pet smell. Guests can buy Norikura Cortina lift tickets at a 1,000 yen discount.

We stayed in a separate cottage with three adults and our dog, and the place was very comfortable. It’s well located for Tsugaike Kogen, Norikura Kogen and Cortina. The parking space right in front meant we didn’t have to worry about snow building up or falling onto the car overnight, and the snow around the cottage was cleared thoroughly. Everything was new and very clean, and we appreciated having cleaning supplies for keeping it tidy during our stay. The kitchen was fully equipped with dishes and a dishwasher, and the KEURIG capsule drink bar was handy. With underfloor heating, air conditioning and a wood stove, we never felt cold. The non-skiers in our group enjoyed the cottage and Hakuba Village too. The pension’s two retrievers were adorable and well behaved, and it was hard to say goodbye. We’d stay again if we get the chance. Thank you.

We were here over Obon with four people and our miniature schnauzer. The views are wonderful and the air is clean, even though there isn’t much around. My dog was unsure about the sloped dog run at first, but started enjoying it after a while. Hutch and Rock, the mascot dogs, were so friendly that my daughter kept rubbing their bellies. Dinner was delicious, mostly locally grown vegetables and chicken, and went perfectly with Shinshu wine. We could even have breakfast with our dog in the dog run, which was such a treat. It was a filling meal in a lovely open setting. The room was Japanese style with six tatami mats. The futon was a little hard, but for this price the quality is hard to match. The staff were friendly and made me want to return. Hotaru no Sato is right behind the inn, and we got to see fireflies at night. I never expected that during Obon, so it was a happy surprise. I’ll definitely come back.

Rain was around for most of our midsummer cottage stay, but we still had a really relaxing time. We could eat under the eaves and use the open-air bath, and even took the dog to the run in a light drizzle to play ball under the eaves. The view must be fantastic in sunny weather. We’d love to visit again in another season. Thanks so much for everything.