Ohgutekohan Shirasagisou

I bought “Special Yakiniku Sauce from Shirasagi-so, a Popular Inn in Nanshu/Ina Valley, Lake Oguchi,” made by the manager of Oguchi Campground. When I opened it, sauce burst out over my clothes, the ceiling, and the room. Bubbles kept rising inside the bottle, and gas seemed to be building up. I closed it after some had spilled and started cleaning, but pressure forced the lid open again and more sauce came out. I was upset about the stains, so I called the seller to explain. They said they’d connect me to the person in charge, and the manager of Oguchi Campground answered. Before I could explain properly, he asked, “Is this a complaint call? Did you read the instructions on the back before using it? It says to be careful not to stain your clothes when opening the bottle, right? If you have something to say, take it to court. Bye.” He spoke overbearingly and hung up. I was extremely disappointed by the lack of a sincere response to what seemed to be a product problem. I also have concerns about the product’s safety, and found the response dishonest. The bubbling and apparent gas buildup could mean abnormal fermentation or spoilage. I was shocked that the representative seemed to avoid responsibility by pointing to a small-print warning about staining clothes, without examining the product. That excuse doesn’t address what happened. I urge anyone considering this sauce to be cautious. [Warning] For products with a best-by date of August 23, 2026, or products exposed to high summer temperatures during transport, the stated best-by period is two years. But leaving a bottle unopened may be extremely dangerous if fermentation gas builds up. In this case, gas and liquid rushed out with bubbles when I opened it. That can happen when microorganisms, mainly yeast, lactic acid bacteria, or other bacteria, keep fermenting inside the container. Sugars and other substances break down and produce carbon dioxide, pressure rises, and gas and liquid can erupt on opening. This could indicate microbial contamination during manufacture, storage, or distribution, and may be a product defect under the Product Liability Act. The contents damaged clothing, furniture, and walls. That is property damage, for which compensation may be claimable under the Product Liability Act and Article 709 of the Civil Code. The company didn’t investigate the suspected defect or listen to my complaint. Instead, they relied on the warning about staining clothes and seemed to shift the responsibility to me. Please be careful and take appropriate steps to protect yourself. [Added after a reply from the representative of Oguchi Campground] If a yakiniku sauce bottle bursts during normal use, the seller or manufacturer may be liable for damages under the Product Liability Act (PL Act) and civil tort law. For a claim under the Product Liability Act, the product needs to be defective, that defect must have caused the damage, and the user must not have been negligent, meaning it was used correctly. If those conditions apply, actual costs such as cleaning or repairs to clothing and furniture may be claimable. The representative said, “No, it’s fine. You can wipe it off (the stains on the ceiling). Don’t you have a stepladder? Can’t you reach it by using a chair? How high is the ceiling?” He kept a half-smile throughout. That didn’t feel like honest corporate behavior. When I first called to report the problem, he went straight to “Are you calling to complain? Did you read the label on the back before using it? It says to be careful not to stain your clothes when opening it, right? If you have something to say, take it to court,” then hung up. I didn’t see the basic steps of apologizing, investigating the cause, preventing a recurrence, or compensating for damage. The manufacturer showed no interest in responding, so I contacted the store where I bought it. The store investigated and handled it honestly. The representative only started responding after the retailer’s buyer contacted me, so I assume he felt he had to. In his reply, he wrote, “Regarding the request for cleaning fees, I think that commenting that the ceiling couldn’t be cleaned because it was out of reach is a bit of a difficult one to make from a common sense perspective.” But after the practical and emotional burden of what I felt was dishonest treatment, I believe it’s legitimate to seek damages. That could include actual damage to clothing or the room, repeat cleaning or lost time, and mental distress. The Consumer Affairs Agency and local consumer affairs centers, as I understand it, consider it reasonable to seek compensation later even for damage that wasn’t claimed at first. His reply reads like an apology at first, but to me it doesn’t really apologize. It seems aimed at avoiding responsibility, with an angry, defensive tone and a shift in focus. Although it contains apologetic words, the structure and tone didn’t make me feel that he respected my position. I consider that very poor corporate behavior. I’m still giving progress updates to the buyer, so I’ll continue discussing this reply with A-Co-op.

The combination of outdoor fun and a proper room made this feel like the best parts of camping and a ryokan together. We booked the Stargazing Terrace accommodation with barbecue. The terrace connects directly to the room, and the kids were thrilled to swing in the hammocks as soon as we checked in. The shared bathroom and toilet were clean, and all the equipment and supplies were already there, so we didn’t need to prepare anything. There was a gazebo and mosquito net on the terrace, which helped even someone like me who’s sensitive to insects. You can buy firewood for a bonfire, and the kids loved roasting marshmallows. Afterwards we slept on the thick, comfortable futons in our room. Breakfast the next morning had lots of side dishes and was incredibly good. We ate enough for two meals in a row. It’s a great plan for trying the outdoors casually, and I’d love to visit again.

We spent the following day wandering along the lakeshore until lunch, and the time flew by. The scenery is beautiful and there’s plenty to do at Shirasagi-so, so we didn’t need to go anywhere else. We booked the star-gazing terrace with a friend during Golden Week. After driving through the forest, the lake appeared, and the peaceful, quiet setting really moved me. Some people had pitched tents by the water. It felt magical. At the inn, a distinctive, approachable young proprietress welcomed us. Our group of ten was accommodated very flexibly, and we appreciated that. The barbecue dinner portions were generous and satisfying. We sat by the terrace bonfire waiting for the stars, and there’s a stylish outdoor bar beside the inn where they’ll make cocktails to your taste. The stars are visible with the naked eye at night, and you might even see a shooting star if you’re lucky. The inn has comfortable Japanese-style rooms for up to four people each, and an old-fashioned bath that felt refreshing after the barbecue. Badminton rackets are available to rent, along with plenty of other play equipment. I’ll definitely stay here again.

Our family of six stayed one night and ended up using two rooms, which still worked out really well. The children were delighted by the barbecue and bonfire, both first-time experiences for them, and the staff were very kind to them. Dinner, which was the BBQ, and breakfast came in surprisingly large portions and tasted great. Sadly, clouds hid the stars, but our family loves Nagano and would be happy to come back.