Pension Metasekoia

It was quiet since we weren't there in peak season. The owner didn't seem used to hospitality work and was a bit hesitant, nothing like the polished service at a top hotel, but he did try hard to show me around and answer my questions. The bath is shared family-style and available when no one else is using it. There was body soap, shampoo, conditioner, and, oddly, mold remover all together. I couldn't help laughing at the thought of someone washing their hair with it by mistake. One issue was the dampness: the tatami where the futons were stacked, and the futons themselves, felt a little wet. Luckily there were more futons than guests, so we avoided using the damp ones.

We stayed while skiing and snowboarding, and the owner made the visit pleasant. He offered free rides and useful tips about the lodging and sightseeing. He looks pretty intimidating, almost like the Japanese Morpheus from *Terminator*, but was actually very friendly. For 4000 yen per person, or 3000 yen for each person on consecutive weekdays, it was very reasonably priced and had the basic facilities for a comfortable stay. There were plenty of manga, board games, and playing cards to keep us occupied. A good pick for a budget conscious trip.

You can tell a lot of care went into this place, and the hospitality made me happy. The new tatami was comfortable, and there's also a large public bath. Great value for money, a full 100 points! 💯 I'd especially recommend this pension for its location near the metasequoia avenue. It also works well as a stop on the Biwaichi trail. Air conditioning is free, too.

The pension has a large parking lot and sits near the metasequoia tree-lined street. It felt like a homey student dorm. I didn't see shops within walking distance, but convenience stores, drugstores, and restaurants are about a 10 minute drive away. Restaurants tend to be near the station or on the lake side, and parking at the station is free. Our room had air conditioning, a fridge, free Wi-Fi, tatami in the sleeping area, and what seemed like clean linens. Sound carries, though. We could clearly hear hallway footsteps and voices from nearby rooms. The neighborhood can be a bit of a “neighborhood gacha,” so you might have a bad time if other guests have poor manners. The bath, toilet, and sink are shared. Groups reserve the bath, so families can bathe together. A pump tops up the tub when water gets low, but the last person may not get the cleanest water. You can use the shower, of course. I also found the toilet dirty, though perhaps that's hard to avoid out in nature. It was a cheap stay, so I expected some inconveniences, and was still fairly comfortable. It may not suit everyone. This might be my own bias, but I don't think young women who come to Metasequoia just for photos would fit in.