Midagahara Hotel

It was even better than I expected.The weather was a bit iffy, but we still got to see some of the scenery and the sunset, and we even caught a glimpse of the starry sky late at night.I’d love to come again in a season without snow.

My first visit to Tateyama in May was an unforgettable experience. At the Hotel, we joined an evening guided walk across the snowy Midagahara plateau, and the staff also recommended a route that my spouse and I followed to enjoy views of the Tateyama Caldera. We were even taught how to photograph the Milky Way; we borrowed a tripod from the front desk and got up at 2:00 a.m. to take photos. It was our first time, but they turned out surprisingly well. After dinner, we also enjoyed an explanation of the Tateyama Mandala in the lobby.The next day, we explored Murodo and experienced the Snow Corridor (Yuki-no-Otani). During the previous day’s tour, we asked staff where ptarmigans are most likely to appear, and thanks to their advice we were able to spot one perfectly.Overall, I felt this is a wonderful Hotel with truly excellent staff. On the other hand, some Facility areas do feel a bit aged—which may be unavoidable given the harsh environment—but I did feel there is room for improvement in that the men’s large public bath door did not open and close smoothly. Also, while it was nice that drinks at dinner were self-serve as part of a free-drink system, I would have loved it if local Tateyama craft beer had been available even for an additional charge.Despite these minor issues, it was an incredibly memorable stay. We plan to climb Mt. Oyama in summer and intend to return.