Nishihoppo Onsen Hotel

When I hurt my leg, the staff drove me to a nearby doctor in Shiga Kogen. They even went out of their way to make food for me after dinner hours. The whole team, including Chris and his wife, made the place feel warm and homely. Nishi Hoppo Onsen Hotel is welcoming to foreign guests, with caring staff and rooms styled with tatami. I won't forget how kind everyone was. Thanks to you all, and I hope to see you again soon!

The onsen helped ease the soreness after a full day of skiing. We spent seven days here, and dinner changed every night. Some evenings they made something special so we wouldn't have the same meal twice. Breakfast and dinner are included in the room price, and both were amazing. It's a little out of the way, with an extra 15-minute walk from the shuttle bus stop. One day we got lost and missed the last ski lift, so we couldn't ski back to the hotel. We called, and the owner picked us up at the bus stop. He was in the middle of making dinner in the kitchen, but came to help with a big smile. The owner and family give warm, personal service. The building is old and well used, and the facilities are a bit outdated, but there's a calming atmosphere that feels like going back to the 80s, when people enjoyed each other's company instead of sitting together and staring at their phones.

The room was tidy and big enough. It was hard to find the hotel, and the receptionist couldn't communicate in English. It seems to cater more to local guests, and I saw many elderly people staying there.

The meals were wonderful, and the hotel has the best onsen. It's also really comfortable, with beautiful mountain views.