Pension Motown

I was on my own for a night before an event in Kita-Karuizawa, and the owners made me feel very welcome. They were kind and spent time chatting with me. The building, food, setting, and service were all wonderful. Thank you.

I love lingering over a drink and the food here. The quiche, meat, and salads are all delicious, and the couple who run this warm, welcoming pension are so kind. I always leave feeling like I had a really fulfilling stay. Surrounded by nature, it looks different each season, and I can unwind and forget everyday life. I hope to visit again. Thanks, as always!

The owners were lovely and kind, which made the meal especially disappointing. We'd been looking forward to the quiche, but its filling had the smell of frozen food and was truly awful. My partner felt let down too, and we wondered whether booking without meals would have been wiser. This feels like staying in the owners' home, and the cooking depends on the landlady's skills. Quiche is the guesthouse's selling point, so I wish they'd use fresh highland vegetables and ingredients instead of making a quiche imitation with frozen shrimp and shellfish. Karuizawa has good bakeries and quiches, and they could get good local ingredients and prepare them well. Maybe she was more skilled in the past. As people age, taste can dull, and they may stop working to improve the menu and their skills, so it seems important to be careful about that. I know it's difficult from a business perspective, but a place serving lots of frozen food doesn't suit our taste. They don't seem to have many guests. If they keep working on the cooking instead of getting complacent, this could become a good inn. It's a harsh review, but I felt the cuisine needed an overhaul for the guesthouse to survive.

The Saturday night price, with breakfast and dinner, was under 15,000 yen, which felt like incredible value. After staying here, I understood why Google Maps has it at 4.8 despite being known for tough reviews. The place is amazing. The rooms and interior have been renovated with care and taste, and look just like the photos. The food was delicious, especially the quiche, which everyone praised. There's an all-you-can-drink option from 9pm, and we had a fun chat with the owner and his wife. I can confidently recommend it. If you're in Kitakaruizawa, stay here.