Guest Houses in Kaminoyama

A lovely and heartwarming place to stay for a winter getaway. The couple that owns this business made us feel like family. Mao and Qu are so kind and welcoming. They treated us like family. They picked us up from the bus station, drove us to a wonderful dinner location (which they recommended), drove us to the ski resort, and helped with all our luggage. I was so happy to meet them and talk with them. The room is just as warm as the owners. The floors are heated and the beds are very comfortable. I wish I could’ve stayed longer.

This is a great pension run by a lovely family. The husband picked us up at the bus station and drove us to the pension and also took us to the slopes in the morning. They gave us a coupon for renting gear and a map explaining the different onsen options around town. Their English is pretty limited, but they are happy to use Google translate. Also, it was not a big deal, but I think it is important for foreign guests to be aware that ski culture in Japan sort of assumes you are eating dinner at your accommodation. We did not know this and did not book dinner at the hotel. Most restaurants in town were fully booked with reservations (although there is a convenience store with good takeaway food), so try to book dinner at the hotel or make a dinner reservation somewhere well in advance. We were very luck and managed to make a reservation at the Mongolian lamb place Kasheru for the second night and that was amazing. But we saw restaurants turning people away repeatedly because everywhere in town was full. Also, the family will not pick you up by car any later that 6:45 pm (perfectly reasonable) and the public ski shuttles don't run on weekdays, so you need to pre-book a taxi if dinner will end later than that (which it probably will since most restaurants open at 6 pm). And there are not a lot of taxis and no Uber. I wish I had realized all of this up front, but that was our own ignorance and our stay was great regardless. Again, this is just the local ski culture and not the hotel's fault. It's just helpful information for future guests.

If only I could rate the hotel more than a 5 star, I will. 1. The owner/host both are so accommodating, helpful and is super kind. I experiences the real Japan omotenashi (hospitality) thru them. Especially the lady owner, she goes a long way to make your stay comfortable and as convenient as it is. She even help call a reservatuon for taxi. 2. The accommodation feels homey. Clean, comfortable and spacious. I slept in a Japanese style room that has futon and Kotatsu. The kotatsu is so comfortable that you dont want to get off them. The Heating is also excellent so the room is warm. 3. The room is equipped with air cleaner, fridge, tv & there is also available himidifier that you can use if needed. Basic amenities are provided too and a yukata. There is a common toilet on the second floor and so as the basement. Microwave is also available for use if you warm your food and the owner can lend you plates and utensils. 4. The nearest onsen is 3 minutes by foot and the owner will give you the 100¥ coupon discount if you use the nearest day onsen spa. 5. The location is perfect just a minute walk to the main ropeway station that’ll take you to the snow monster. 5 minutes walk to the convenience store, 7 minutes walk to the bus terminal and has few good restaurants around. 6. The breakfast is also delicious and hearty. The hotel has big dry room for your ski/snowboard gears and cheaper ski lift tickets if you buy from the hotel. I highly recommend this place and I will definitely come back again next winter season.

The location is amazing, super close to a ski rental shop and the lifts. The room was spacious, self-check in and check-out is efficient and easy

Everything, the facilities, the decoration just everything. The owner was also very nice and helpful, staying at the place make me feel like home

The best part about the property was the people. The couple who owns and runs the lodge were very warm and welcoming it felt like home. We didn't run into any problems, especially with communication because I can speak Japanese. Though they don't speak perfect English, the couple, especially the wife is very “techy” and she uses her iPad to communicate with foreigners, it's cute. The husband does the driving and he picked us up from the bus terminal since the lodge doesn't have its own onsen/bath (Just a shared toilet and sink) he drives us EVERY SINGLE night to the high onsen bath in the town for free and gave us onsen coupons so we don't have to pay anything. The onsen place runs until 9 pm so there's no problem on our part. On our last night, since it was my partner’s birthday, he drove us earlier than usual and let us stay longer downtown. The lodge is located a minute away from Lift 29 (Paradise) our favorite spot in the resort. Also, a 10 mins walk to Gondola 4 (the only spot for night skiing). Beside Gondola 4 was the Jupeer Building where you can rent your gears. People in Zao Ski Resort we're all nice and warm, the epitome of a real Japanese. Though there's no fancy breakfast we had an unlimited croissant, tea, swiss miss, and chocolate snacks which we every single morning. We are definitely coming back this summer to visit the Okama glacier. おせわになりました！^_^