Hotel Takimoto

The staff were outstanding, and the lobby fireplace was wonderful. There was a large variety of delicious food, too. We began in a traditional Hapanese room, which was a great way to immerse ourselves in Japanese culture, and the hotel is in a fantastic spot for the ski slopes. I’d definitely recommend it for a stay at Shiga Kogen.

The rooms are a bit older, but I loved the atmosphere and the cosy vibe of this little hotel. It’s right in front of the ski lifts, with friendly, helpful staff and plenty of food and activities. Thank you for the staff’s kindness and hospitality.

The best things here were the short walk to the ski slopes, the friendly and helpful staff, and the excellent Japanese breakfast, fresh and tasty each morning. There’s also a small lounge where you can relax after a day on the mountain. The hotel feels stuck in the 1960s. The rooms have old furniture and dated bathrooms, and even on the fourth floor we could smell smoke from the lobby fireplace. Evenings were quiet, with few dining options on site and no real activities, so dinner meant walking quite a distance. It works well if being close to the slopes and having a traditional breakfast are your priorities. Just don’t expect modern comfort or much to do after skiing.

The Takamagahara slopes are right out front, making it almost ski in, ski out, and they connect to the rest of the Ichinose and Shigakogen slopes. The traditional Japanese four-bedroom stay included breakfast. There was a wide choice in the morning, with some items rotating every 3-4 days. The building is older, but quaint and charming in a way other accommodation wasn’t. You can roast marshmallows at the central fire pit, and the 24/7 onsen was amazing after a long ski day. The staff were friendly and accommodating. I’d recommend staying and will come again.