Bozanso

We could order food from the bar to our room at no extra charge. It was fresh, tasty, and inexpensive, about *500-1000 yen per dish. The room was spacious and really nice in a traditional Japanese style, and the heating worked perfectly, which isn't always a given in Japanese hotels. I also loved all the games downstairs. The onsen was amazing, though the water was very hot.

We stayed one night to see the snow monkeys, and the host kindly drove us all the way there. Maybe we were there off peak, since the hotel was almost empty, which added to its quirky feel. The rooms were clean and very spacious. It's one of the few places left where the onsen water comes directly from the hot springs instead of being electrically heated.

The owner left a note on the door because I arrived quite late and was only there to sleep, get up early, and leave. He said there were no female guests at the hotel, so he let us use the women's onsen privately, which was a very kind gesture. He also gave us a larger room than we'd booked, with both tatami and a regular room. The price was good, and I can see how it reflects the hotel's condition. It's quite worn and visibly needs refurbishment, so I'd give it five stars but wanted to share that feedback.

For a small, antique hotel, the price was good for sightseeing and skiing. The boss and staff were experienced and very helpful. The boss and his Thai wife spoke English. Japanese breakfast and dinner were provided, though you could also eat near the railway station, where there were several restaurants. There's a free indoor onsen, and you can try the other ones on the nearby old onsen street too. The hotel sits up on a hillside, so driving is preferable, but the boss may be able to shuttle guests in his own car.