CChloe Lim SanThe heart warming and hospitality of this family is one of my best experiences in Japan.
It was my first time traveling to Hakuba and it was snowing heavily. Masanori san was busy with dinner but he had his daughter to pick me up instead (she have left for university so I reckon on normal days, he will have to go out of his way to pick passengers if they needed.) One key thing to note was to specify where you are properly because i took a bus and they didn’t stop me at the interchange but instead they dropped me off at the Hakuba stop (outside North Face shop) so it was quite confusing and they couldn’t find me at first.
The room is very spacious and the morning snowing view was really nice. The free Hakuba shuttle bus is just one minute away and it comes every hour, you can have breakfast at 7/7.30am and take the shuttle bus at 8/9am (might not come on time but just be earlier as there are many others taking the same bus). In house Onsen was decent with hot enough water but will be perfect if only it was outdoors (more for the ventilation and view).
The dinner made by Masamori san was one of the main reasons why I booked this hotel - French cuisine. It is delicately made and ingredients are carefully sourced, you can literally taste the freshness of their ingredients. Book at least one day in advanced!
At 84, their granny got to be the cutest and sweetest, we sang that one or two Japanese song she knew and she was so happy she served us tea, we kind of almost feel bad that she is serving us but after speaking to her daughter knowing that it is working there that keeps her body strong and makes her happy (so during Covid, she was feeling weak).
And also they link up with Lion Gear for all rental of everything you need. You just have to let Masamori san know and he will arrange for them to pick you up at your preferred time. After choosing your gears, he said they will send me to the slopes (went Goryu/Hakuba 47), but they didn’t and instead they sent me to Happo and I had to bring my gears and walked 20-30mins to the bus stops and paid for the V2 buses (the larger buses are not free - so you got to pay 800Yen per person). After I told Masamori san the story, he was really apologetic and immediately called them up. The next day, he got them to compensate me for the trouble and it really did helped ease the not so great experience and time wasting - the Lion gear boss was generous in compensating and explained that it was their new staff and they didn’t follow the previous arrangements.
Supermarket is about 15-20mins walk away, can be pretty cold but the walk is really nice, proper walking path with snow built up like walls.
All in all, I will still rate this place 9/10 for the hospitality and sincerity of this family, the food and the spaciousness of the room! Highly recommend you to go for the French dinner!
ผผู้เข้าพักFirst off, the staff are lovely. Even with a language barrier they were friendly, and the reception man was kind. I've stayed at Villa about 4 times now, but this was the first time in about 11 years. Sadly there is a lot that needs to be fixed. The pricing has increased heavily since I was last here. Whilst it is very close to the ski lifts of Ichinose Family, this is a budget accommodation. But I would still expect it to be cleaned more regularly. The rooms are fine, but the hallways, and common areas look very dated and have paint peeling, cracks showing, carpet is old, worn and dirty, and nothing would imply it is being maintained.
We never had dinner here, but breakfast was a buffet style, and whether it's worth it to you or not is a personal thing.
The convenience store downstairs is only open at night times, and not every day. I remember the restaurant at ground level facing the road served excellent gyoza, ramen and beer. Sadly it's been closed for a while and used as storage.
I don't want Villa to become like the rest of the hotels in Ichinose, only for school groups or super expensive because of their proximity to the ski lifts, but it really needs to have some money invested in the property, replacing old and damaged decor, and carpets professionally cleaned yearly.
But thank you to all the staff for being lovely and kind people.
IInstandyFukashiso could be one of the loveliest accommodation that I have ever stayed at. The staff were very polite, attentive and extremely helpful and courteous. The place itself is so beautiful and quaint. Traditional garments are provided as an option if you want to dress up for dinner. Made for great photo ops! The Kaiseki was the most beautiful equivalent of a degustation I’ve tried, and it was served in a lovely separate intimate dining area. During dinner Nobu-San a fourth generation family member of the owners greeted us which was a lovely touch. Soba was freshly made at the accomodation. We stayed two nights and the Kaiseki menu was different each time. Breakfast was a nice assortment of Japanese and Western options and the coffee machine was actually pretty good. I enjoyed the onsens, there are two public ones that switch locations for men and women and a private one. They were well equipped and relaxing. Our room was on Level 1 with a private bathroom, seating area and little garden view. Overall this place is highly recommended. For a traditional ryokan experience, it was so nice. Even after we checked out, the receptionist gave us a little gift, and even walked us outside to where our car was parked. Such a warm and lovely place. Stay here for sure!
IInqubeMy GF's review:
My stay in Meiji Onsen Ryokan was my first stay at a ryokan, and I’ve never felt more welcome at any other hospitality place I’ve been to before, of which there are many. And even after the first day, I am pretty sure it will probably stay this way forever.
I am very grateful for your kind welcome and I am amazed at the work that the team of your hotel does at this place. Everything feels natural and beautiful, and the atmosphere is so peaceful and special.
People who work here are passionate about their job, and as a passionate person myself I feel energized and happy to see others be so amused about what they do.
I will always remember my first stay here and I will compare other ryokans I go to with Meiji Onsen Ryokan, because I feel that it’s the best ryokan in Japan.
Thank you so much for this amazing experience.
And Okami-chan is the best girl in all of Nagano! When I come back home, I will tell everyone who she is and where she is from - Meiji Onsen Ryokan, Chino, Nagano, Japan! 🇯🇵
(As a fantastic bonus, it’s even allowed to go in with uncovered tattoos! Not every ryokan can match up to that!)
ผผู้เข้าพักOur stay at Shukubo Gokui was incredible. So much history and spirit, and although we spoke very little Japanese we were greeted warmly by the family. Every breakfast and dinner served was so thoughtfully presented and delicious. The onsite bath is very clean and almost like a private onsen. The room was warm and comfortable, and it was magical to be in the space with the winter snow piling outside. The location cannot be any better, very near the beautiful Chusha Shrine, on the path to the other shrines in Togakushi, within walking distance to the town Onsen and ski resort, and probably one of the closest lodgings to the bus stop. The original structure is from 1815 with thoughtful updates to make the space comfortable and warm. That foreigners and visitors are allowed to stay at Shokubo Gokui that has been so thoughtfully cared for by the family for years is incredibly special, an experience we will remember for a long time. I hope we can return again.