Hotel Lucent Takamiya

There are four hot spring baths, and soaking in them in cool weather was wonderful. The bathing facilities and amenities were all provided and well prepared. The location is convenient, with a convenience store a short walk away if you haven't ordered hotel meals. Our ropeway visit was complicated by maintenance, but the staff helped arrange transport so we could still visit the Okama Crater at Mount Zao. They also offered a shuttle to the bus station, and kindly carried our luggage upstairs since there is no elevator. The front desk staff spoke little English but made a real effort to communicate. One small funny moment: we spent ages looking for water to boil, then realized the kettle and pitcher already had both hot and cold water. They'd also left tea and a tea set, which was a nice touch.

We stayed two nights, and the hotel is a good option for skiing or snowboarding. It's a two-minute walk from Zao Chuo Ropeway parking lot. Dinner was excellent, though the breakfast buffet was just OK. The private bath costs money and was too hot, while the separate-gender baths were much better. Staff were helpful, although limited English sometimes made communication difficult.

The rooms were spacious but not very clean. I spotted two bugs over our two-night stay. Breakfast was okay, while dinner was better. The front desk men were the worst part for me. They didn't share much important information unless we asked, and when we did, one of them laughed "hehehehe" several times. I couldn't tell what he meant, but it sounded sarcastic. When we drove up to the hotel in the dark, one man sprinted out toward our car. It scared me. He just wanted to check that we were guests, but he could have waited at the desk instead of running out. He looked like a zombie to me, and it was a really frightening experience.

It's an old hotel, but it's very well kept. At this high elevation, I didn't expect a high-rise or a five-star place. The hospitality is what stood out: the staff are warm and made me feel at home. Breakfast is an awesome buffet, and dinner is a set menu where you choose beef or pork when booking. The beef is Wangy beef, and the pork comes as steamboat. They'll pick you up from and drop you off at the Bus Station for free if you arrange it. I've attached a picture of the minibus for reference. A dip in the outdoor hot spa is a must, and experiencing it under the snow was an unfortable experience. It's a seven-minute walk to the cable car for viewing the Snow Monsters (Ice Trees), and the nearest ski lift is right across from the hotel. All rooms are non-smoking, but there's a smoking room in the lobby.