Holiday Plaza Shigakogen

The food was great, and the hotel staff were wonderful and so helpful.

I've stayed here more often than anywhere else on my home slope. I've held off writing a review for some reason, but it's a good inn, though probably not the pick for very wealthy guests or people mainly after apres-ski. Location matters when you're skiing the huge Shiga Kogen Ski Resort, and the right spot depends on your level, group, and plans. This inn sits at Takamagahara Ski Resort in the center of Shiga Kogen. You can ski to resorts other than Kumanoyu and Yokoteyama, then ski back to the inn. Prices are reasonable. The building is plain and standard, from the old days when skiing was the main point of Shiga Kogen. What stands out is the staff's kind, comforting manner, especially compared with inns around major tourist attractions where staff can seem a little cynical. The buffet breakfast and dinner are typical, so I wouldn't especially praise the taste, but the selection feels thoughtfully put together. I get the sense many side dishes are made in-house rather than outsourced. In late April 2024, when there were fewer guests, they may have offered mountain vegetable tempura as a special. There was plenty of food, and it was generally delicious. The building has taken a beating from the cold over time, but it seems to get some repairs each year, and cleanliness is excellent. The large hot spring bath is colorless and nearly scentless, but it warms you and leaves your skin feeling smooth. You can use it at night, in the morning, and even after checkout. I also think there are enough showers. The once-confusing basement now connects the ski lockers to the baths, so first-time visitors should have an easier time finding their way. I still value the place and keep coming back. I do wish they'd offer decent coffee for a fee, even convenience store quality, and add a sauna and cold water bath.

I come back to this inn every year. It's definitely old, but they renovate it annually and it's always clean. The staff are especially friendly, and the meals are satisfying and carefully prepared. For skiing, the location is very convenient: it's right in front of the Takamagahara slopes, in the middle of Shiga Kogen Ski Resort, with lifts to different slopes easy to reach from the inn. The snow is great, the slope-side food is delicious, the views are lovely, and there's no waiting for the lifts. I highly recommend it for a ski trip.

I stayed for a ski trip from February 1st to 3rd. The room, hot springs, meals, and price all left me very satisfied, but the staff's service impressed me most. I contacted the hotel about a ski glove I'd forgotten. They first said they hadn't found it, then checked with the staff and located it inside the hotel. I was able to get it sent home. This is a hotel I trust.