NIPPONIA Shirotaka Gennai Residence

Although it’s not easy to reach by public transportation, I came back because I wanted to spend another wonderful time here. I was happy to see the staff member who took care of us last time again! It’s no exaggeration to say I came to see her—she truly loves this Accommodation. There were more amenities than last time, and I had a very comfortable stay. It seems the chef has changed, but the food was still delicious. Recommended for those who want a quiet stay. The building is also well worth seeing! It’s beautifully maintained and truly impressive.

An Accommodation with no clock or TV—perfect for a digital detox (Wi-Fi is available). There’s a lounge where you can truly relax, and it feels like being freed from the busyness of everyday life. All the snow had already melted, so it wasn’t too cold and was easy to walk around, but I would have loved to see a snowy landscape too. As you’d expect from a renovated Hotel in a cold region, there are two heaters! It had been ages since I’d seen heating that isn’t air conditioning. The warmth is on another level—and it felt nostalgic as well. The bath is not an Onsen, but there is a hinoki (cypress) bath that smells wonderful. Bath salts were provided to help you warm up, and I felt nice and toasty afterward. About the meals: Breakfast was a healthy Japanese set with lots of side dishes. The rice was delicious too—just what you’d expect from Yamagata! The appetizers at dinner were beautifully arranged—around 10 items on a round plate—and enjoyable even just to look at. It’s great that they explain each dish, but it would be even better if there were a simple note like “Today’s Menu,” so you can anticipate how many more courses are coming. Since we chose the pairing Plan, I found myself sipping while thinking about how much to save for the next dish (laugh). About the drinks: Even though this is an area known for sake and wine, it was disappointing that both the red and white wines were from California (I understand sparkling may be harder—this one was Spanish cava). I’m not very into classic Cabernet Sauvignon or Chardonnay these days, which made me want to enjoy Yamagata wines even more. It’s not that California wine is bad at all—but I’d love it if there were two options each for red and white so guests could choose. Since we’re here anyway, I want to enjoy local production for local consumption too.