Hotel Shirakabaso Shiga Kogen

The staff were so warm and helpful. When there was a problem with my ski school booking, they called the school for me and sorted it out, which was a huge relief. The rooms are clean and spacious, and with breakfast and dinner included the hotel is great value. The food is genuinely good too. There’s free coffee in the lobby, and you can safely drink water straight from the tap. The lobby has a cozy little bar for an evening drink and a European alpine chalet feel, while the rooms and dining spaces are comfortably Japanese in style. It’s an interesting mix. A downside for light sleepers is the sound of water pipes and pumps, which can get quite loud, especially late at night. Breakfast’s last entry is fairly early, at 8:30 am, though if you’re skiing you’ll probably want to be on the slopes by 9 anyway. Winter days are short, so time matters. Check-in is only available until before 9 pm. That should be fine if you arrive by bus, but plan around it if you’re driving or using a private transfer. I had a great stay, with excellent value, friendly service, and a unique atmosphere.

The Onsen was a highlight, with one large public bath and two private baths. I also loved the vanity area, which had ReFa and Dyson hairdryers. Our room was clean, spacious, and stayed warm the whole time. It did face the parking lot, though, and in the early morning we could hear snow-clearing truck engines, so keep that in mind if you’re sensitive to noise. The buffet for breakfast and dinner had a great mix of Japanese and Western food. Coffee and tea were provided, while alcohol and soft drinks cost extra. We appreciated being able to store our luggage and rest after arriving early, then head straight to the slopes. In-house ski rentals and lockers made the trip logistics easy. We had an incredible stay for our recent snowboard trip. The location is unbeatable, just a 4-minute walk to the bus terminal and main gondola. It’s a high-quality, authentic hotel that met all our needs, and the service was exceptional throughout.

We’ve stayed here twice now and had a wonderful time both visits. The rooms were clean, and all the staff were so friendly and welcoming. Special thanks to Naoko-san at reception, who was always helpful and welcoming, and to Matsuda-san for going above and beyond. On our first trip, our car got snowed in and he helped us shovel it out. When we came back the second time, he helped carry our luggage to the room. We really appreciated his warm, kind hospitality.

We’ve stayed at Club Wyndham Shirakabaso twice this year and will be back next year for more Japow. The staff were so friendly and positive, especially Resort Manager Matsuda-san and Naoko-san. They made us feel at home and were very hospitable. The rooms have been newly renovated, with a choice of futon or Western bedding and a shower in each room. The dinner buffet was delicious, and the pizza bar in the lobby was great too.