Yatsugatake Kogen Lodge

The walking trails around the Hotel are wonderful. The forests at the foot of the Yatsugatake Mountains and the sound of wind through the bamboo grass were very soothing. The starry sky at night was truly beautiful. We enjoyed a relaxed dinner in the main dining room, and had a hearty breakfast as well. It’s not an Onsen, but the Room bath faces the woods and was lovely. It’s a classic Hotel, and we had a great holiday.

I stayed one night at Yatsugatake Kogen Lodge for the first time in several years. As it was a weekday in winter, there weren’t many guests, and there were no international travelers at all, so I was able to relax quietly at an unhurried pace.Last time I stayed in the Central Wing, but this time I chose a Classical Room in the North Wing, which has a long history dating back to the lodge’s opening. The Room is small, but with its sloped ceiling and generous height—and a balcony—it felt very calm and comfortable. Although it’s a wooden building, it’s impressively well-sealed; I even turned the heater down to low.Dinner at Hanagoyomi wasn’t flashy or “Instagrammable,” but the dishes were carefully prepared and delicious. The paired wines were also surprisingly reasonably priced for a Hotel.Perhaps because villa owners also come by for meals, all of the staff feel very welcoming while still maintaining attentive professionalism.Prices jump significantly in summer and on days when there are concerts at the music hall, but next time I’d like to visit in summer.It may be Yatsugatake, but I felt that the overall guest atmosphere is actually more similar to Karuizawa.