Hachi Kogen Petit Hotel White Wing

The next day we hiked through the ski resort toward Mt. Hachibuse and the fifth station of Mt. Hyonose. You can enjoy that even outside ski season. We’d stayed overnight just after Obon, arriving much later than planned, but the owner was waiting with the charcoal fire already started. Since it was Sunday, there were only a few other guests, so we had a quiet corner of the spacious backyard to ourselves for the BBQ. There was lots of meat and vegetables, and we couldn’t finish all the grilled rice balls we were meant to eat at the end. The bath was relaxing and comfortable.

It seems useful in winter, with a lift right in front, though I visited during Golden Week. They apparently hold mountain burning events then, but the weather wasn’t great during my stay, so it wasn’t much of an event. It may be more enjoyable in a different year. The room was Japanese-style with tatami. It’s family-run and a bit old inside, but reasonably priced and good value. There’s no refrigerator or tea set in the room. They say the unit bath tap water is drinkable, but I still felt a bit uneasy about it. There were no towels in the room, though you could get them in the bathroom. The bath itself is small, just enough for four or five people.

Run by an elderly couple, this guesthouse has a stylish exterior that doesn’t look like typical ski resort accommodation. The service is friendly and the food is delicious. They sell drinks too, including beer, sake, shochu, and wine. It’s right by the ski lift, and they offer rental fees and lift tickets as a service, which makes it a great spot. I’d like to come back every year. Thank you.

The meals were generous and tasty, and I think families with elementary school kids will be happy here. The lift on the Okubo side is right nearby, with a good area for children to play in the snow. It is a bit farther from Hyonosen International. From Hachi Plateau, you can ski down the forest course and come back; its gentle slope makes it a safe spot for beginners to practice.