Pension Cuckoo Nest

The food was delicious, from the meat and fish to the salad, soup, and dessert. I also liked the room, and the hallways and stairs had a stylish look. I stayed here on my first trip to Shiga Prefecture. The bathroom had a traditional feel and a warm jacuzzi, though the shower would occasionally stop working.

We appreciated the flexible breakfast and checkout times, and the generous portions of delicious food. It was cold outside, but the heating worked well. In the morning, after we came back from Metasequoia Avenue, a Japanese tit had arrived and we got to feed it. 😄 There aren't many places to stay near Metasequoia Avenue, so this reasonably priced guesthouse, just a five-minute drive away, worked out really well. The parking lot and entrance were a little hard to spot in the dark. Thank you very much!!

The country-style interior gave the small room a lot of charm, and I still remember it. I was worn out from the summer beach heat, the fireworks crowds, and traffic, so I was especially grateful they let me bathe without turning off the boiler. Even though I was asking a lot of them, they were wonderfully kind. This was more than 10 years ago, when I couldn't find anywhere to stay in Tsuruga City on the day of the Tsuruga Fireworks Festival. Traffic on the national highway and roads around Tsuruga delayed me until after 10:00. They still lit the way and guided me through the pitch-dark walk from the parking lot to the lodge. I felt bad about my late arrival and hesitated to come back, but maybe it's time?! 😅 I'd like to stay here again, even without a fireworks festival.

A really relaxing pension. The bath is almost private, which works well for families or couples, and wild birds often come close to people. We came back again this year and had a nice, restful stay. Makino had no snow at all, but the location is handy for getting to other ski resorts. (Addendum) We were able to relax here again on my first visit in five years, and my first summer visit, on August 14, 2024. I heard the older of the two brothers who ran the place had passed away. Now the second-generation owner runs it with his mother. I'm sure it's difficult, but I hope they can find a way to keep it going.