Villa The Club SHIRAKAWA

I went last year and really enjoyed the peaceful surroundings and clean mountain air. It was higher up than I’d expected, with quite a change in elevation, so the right clothes for the season are a good idea. The staff were polite and helpful, and I was pleased with both the meals and the service. It looks like another hot summer is coming, so I may return for a break from the heat if I can get time off.

The room was Japanese style and had an Airweave mattress, which made for a comfortable night. I also appreciated having POLA lotion and other products there. The large public bath stays open until 10 p.m., but it isn’t open in the morning. There’s no elevator, so getting up the stairs can be a struggle, and the hotel sits at the end of a fairly long mountain road. It seems geared mainly toward golfers, and as a regular family we didn’t feel as welcome. The difference in how golfers and other guests are treated is noticeable, even though the staff service itself wasn’t bad. I was traveling with small children, and an older woman grumbled at me while we were chatting. That’s just how it is, I guess. Weekend stays can be cheap, but, well, that’s how it is too. At check-in I chose Japanese breakfast from the photos, but when I reached the dining area they asked me again which style I wanted. If they weren’t passing that information along, there didn’t seem much point in making us decide at check-in.

The dining room has a spectacular outlook over Mount Futago and the surrounding sights. It’s a great place to get away from city life. I gave the view and breakfast 5/5, and the value was also 5/5. Highly recommended.

I ended up double-booked. They suggested another guesthouse, but the service from the staff was below par.