Takanoya

I got a last-minute discount for my snowboarding stay, and it was very cheap. The facilities and rooms look a little old, but they're incredibly clean. The bath seems to have been added recently and was spotless, and the hot spring water was so relaxing I could have stayed in it forever. The only drawback was hearing people walking outside my room quite clearly, so it doesn't feel like a chain hotel. You also have to lay out your own futon. The TV is an Android TV that can't receive terrestrial channels, which is a bit quirky, but I prefer it that way. The inn is within a 10-minute drive of Echigo-Yuzawa Station and the Yuzawa Interchange on the Kan-Etsu Expressway, and close to all the ski resorts in the Yuzawa area. There's also a convenience store a few minutes away by car. I had trouble finding the entrance at first because it's hidden from the main road. There's a decent-sized parking lot in a somewhat secluded spot. I expected the food to be delicious, but had an early start for snowboarding and booked a room without meals. Next time I'd like to stay for breakfast and try the Uonuma-grown Koshihikari rice.

This was my second stay, and I loved the atmosphere at Koya Ryokan. The onsen has a set bathing schedule called "kakeri-zai," which is handy if you don't want to bathe with strangers. Breakfast is served every day in generous portions, including Koshihikari rice. They also offer free round-trip rides to Iwahara Ski Resort, which I used for four days in a row. There's a drying room too.

The owner was friendly and walked us through the facilities with translation software. Our ski gear was warm and dry by morning thanks to the drying room, and there’s a Lawson about four minutes away on foot. The room heater worked well, though there’s no humidifier, so if you have a sensitive nose you might want to sleep in a mask. I’m not sure whether they lend humidifiers. We booked this guesthouse at the last minute for a ski trip to Yuzawa, and it was the only place we found. We got the whole pool to ourselves on both nights, even though private pool sessions are first come, first served. Breakfast was Japanese style and changed each day. There’s a free shuttle to Iwahara Ski Resort. You can ride it to Terminal 1 and walk from there, or take the train from Yuzawa Station to Iwahara Ski Resort Station if the timing works out. That station is unmanned, so buy a paper ticket. An IC card won’t let you exit.

I stayed here during a motorcycle tour. Everything was clean, from the room to the bathroom and toilet, and the price was low. Even if you book without meals, there’s a family restaurant, a diner, and a Lawson within walking distance.