Pension Birao

The host was very friendly and kept me updated on what was happening in the area, especially the drift ice information for the next day. The breakfast was amazing too.

The family were so welcoming and helpful, and the service was wonderful. We stayed six nights in a self-contained unit in the Annex behind the main building, and were extremely happy with the accommodation, facilities, service, and location. There were cutlery, crockery, and cooking equipment in the unit. We slept in the two comfortable king-single beds downstairs and used the mezzanine for our suitcases. A small sunny balcony looked out over the large, quiet park behind the property. The unit had a bathroom with a shower and bathtub, though we never needed either because Pension Birao has an onsen with the best water. The onsen is also open to daily visitors. What made it special for us was the family bath, which you can book in 40-minute slots in the morning until 9:00 and from 3:00pm. Both bathing areas have a rotemburo, and having a private onsen was amazing. There’s also a bbq hut, free coffee and tea in the dining room, and a dining room with a view toward the river. It’s a perfect base for exploring the area, where there’s so much to see. We’re already planning another visit to Pension Birao.

The calm setting beside the park and the home-like feel of the building and rooms made this a lovely stay. The host was warm, enthusiastic, and spoke remarkably good English. She helped us with routes, transport, and places to visit, and even drove us to a restaurant and the station. The place was properly clean, and there’s a nice private outdoor onsen. Booking through the website was a challenge because it doesn’t translate easily from Japanese, but the effort was worth it. Highly recommended.

A comfortable guest house with spacious rooms, each with its own toilet, and a hospitable English-speaking owner and manager. The shared onsen bath can be reserved in advance for private use for 40 minutes. It’s well placed for local spots like the ramen bar and supermarket. On the second floor there’s self-service tea and coffee, plus a fridge and microwave.