Top Hotels in Shimotakai-gun Japanese Pensions
Top Things to do in Shimotakai-gun
10 Japanese Pensions in Shimotakai-gun: Best hotel deals for 2023
Discover the best Japanese Pensions in Shimotakai-gun, Nagano Prefecture, Koshinetsu, Chubu including Alpine Villa Nozawa, Gasthof Schi Heil, Chalet Christiania, Peanuts House Kumakuma, Schanze Nozawa, Hotel Haus St.Anton, The Schneider Hotel, Lodge Denbee, Villa Ichinose, Pension Mitsubachi Maaya.
Things to do in Shimotakai-gun
1. Alpine Villa Nozawa
Overall Ratings
5 based on 191 reviews
Spacious Ski Lodge in a terrific location Absolutely magnificent sweeping views across the valley and Nozawa Onsen Resort. We completed a renovation recently to upgrade our facilities. We even installed a fireplace! The lodge has been Number 1 on Trip Advisor since we opened our doors almost 10 Years ago now Mainly due the the terrific team we have working with us We thank all our repeat guests for coming back year after year
Perfect place for a perfect ski holiday
Reviewed By 912seblWe stayed at Villa Nozawa for close to 2 weeks in December 2020-January 2021. It was a fantastic stay - a perfect 2-week ski holiday. The rooms are both clean and cozy, and the common areas are very comfortable. The breakfast delicious, with both Japanese and Western food, all 'home cooked' with great care. The staff was extremely attentive and friendly. Finally, the villa is well located, as you walk to the slopes easily and are 50 meters away from one of Nozawa's best public onsen. A good place to choose!
2. Gasthof Schi Heil
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 15 reviews
Lovely staff, quite basic but enough
Reviewed By cammie19We stayed 9 nights end of feb- 9th March. The staff (Mammy spoke the most English) were so lovely, friendly and very happy. The hotel was quite dated. It was actually the hotel for the Olympic teams in 1998. Carpets quite stained and I don’t think the doona covers get changed- just a sheet. Generally everywhere was clean and tidy but just very dated/ stains. Breakfast was nice, quite small but they changed it everyday and 3 variations rotated. The ladies that served it are lovely and very accommodating (my partner is vegetarian). There is a stock of towels to use when visiting the local onsens and tea available which was a nice touch. Bathrooms had shampoo, body wash and conditioner but no hand soap. Rooms were cleaned and tidied every day with fresh towels and bath mat. I asked for clean pillow cases too which they changed a few times. There is a store room that is heated to dry out gloves, hats, boots and leave your skis/board. We had room 303 which had views from both windows to the mountains which was beautiful. Rooms have heated air con which was nice. I think if we came back to Nozawa we would look for accomodation with a little more atmosphere and maybe a lounge room as we spent a lot of time just in the room relaxing as no where else to go. Tvs in the room only have a few local channels. Stairs are fine if you are fit, yes it burns the legs a bit after a day of skiing but it’s fine. A 10min uphill walk to the Yu road (moving walkway) that takes you to the Hikage gondola. Or you can walk 30m to the bus terminal that takes you to the Nagasaka gondola (about a 10min bus ride) or a 20min walk up through the town. Most places to hire stuff from up by the gondolas let you keep it there overnight anyway to save you carrying it up and down.
3. Chalet Christiania
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8 reviews
The food is as great as it looks in the photos! Ski-in-ski-out!
Reviewed By samandadriennarWe stayed at Chalet Christiania for four nights in Feb 2019. The Chalet has a traditional feel, comfortable and warm, up the end of the valley where it’s peaceful. It’s a 50m ski/board from the drying room at the Chalet to the bottom of the Okushigakogen Hotel quad lift! And the Shiga Kogen pass (not much more expensive than Okushigakogen only) allows you to ski between multiple ski fields without walking or bussing at all. The food at Christiania was a highlight of our trip - western with a Japanese twist. Included is a big breakfast with delicious homemade jams, and dinner is a five course meal, every course cleverly thought out and expertly prepared. The food is as great as it looks in the photos! A large variety of local beers and international wines is available for well-priced purchase. The people at Chalet Christiania are friendly, kind and make every effort to make you feel at home. We spoke very little Japanese and a couple of the waitresses spoke great English which was a relief! But any effort to say good morning/thank you in Japanese is greeted with much enthusiasm. Also free, fast WiFi It’s easy to get to the Chalet without a car - the Nagano Snow Shuttle, or by train to Nagano then a ~1hr bus to the Okushigakogen Hotel (2000Y pp) then a 50m walk. There’s a shuttle bus around the valley which you can take for free (during normal ski hours) to other ski fields or onsens. Hint: the hotels, chalets and pensions take credit card, but buses, most lunch locations and vending machines don’t and there is only one ATM within Shiga Kogen. Take some cash!
4. Peanuts House Kumakuma
Overall Ratings
5 based on 24 reviews
Super Friendly Service that falls down in meal preparation facilities
Reviewed By 173hugomThe host of this guest house is really friendly and tries to make you feel at home. She prepared snacks upon our arrival, and even allowed us to check in around 2 hours early! The room was very small but the beds were relatively comfy although the pillows were much too firm. The guest house is also conveniently located within a 2 minute walk of the snow shuttle. There are a lot of good things about this place; however, my partner and I found ourselves quite frustrated by the lack of food preparation facilities and equipment. All that was available was a fridge and microwave. There was no kettle or bowls and cutlery. There was also no communal space for cooking, so you have to purchase meals from elsewhere each day. On the final day, after reading the extremely positive reviews regarding the host prepared breakfasts, we decided to pay the 1000 yen each for a western breakfast. We were both very disappointed with the quality of the meal. It consisted of supermarket cereal, an overcooked cold egg and soft ham like bacon, raisin toast, yoghurt and apple. The meal wasn’t very tasty and didn’t really met our expectations or the 1000 yen price tag. Overall, Peanuts House is an affordable, convenient place to stay if you are spending time skiing at Nozawa Onsen ski resort. However, the breakfast was disappointing and so too the lack of cooking and meal preparation facilities.
5. Schanze Nozawa
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 50 reviews
Schanze Nozawa Ski Lodge located in Nozawa Onsen, features 9 guest rooms. Most rooms are traditional Japanese rooms with futons on tatami matt, so that guests can truly enjoy a wonderful Japanese ski experience. Guests who are holidaying with their families may prefer the traditional Family Lofted Rooms, a duplex featuring separate sleeping area for the parents and kids. Guests who prefers the comfort of western beds will be pleased with the newly constructed Junior Studio and Family Studio. Both are western-styled room with private bathroom. Junior Studio comes with mini fridge, TV and resting area. Family Studio comes with its own kitchenette, TV, dining, and entertainment system to keep the kids busy.
Winter wonderland in Nozawa
Reviewed By Budgethunter667Really helpful and knowledgeable staff, gave great advise for ski runs and dinner locations. Schanze probably has the best location in the area. Breakfast was awesome too. Definitely my top choice on my next trip. I’m will be back!
6. Hotel Haus St.Anton
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 31 reviews
Amazing stay in Nozawaonsen
Reviewed By Ca_Bri333Lovely hotel in the middle of town. Amazing staff with very good level of English. The restaurant is just amazing, with regional products and superb recepies. It has an onsen, discount for the ski pass and the ski rental. Just a great experience in Japan. Ps amazing shop on ground floor selling ice creams, jams and apple juice.
7. The Schneider Hotel
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 92 reviews
What we are: The Schneider Hotel is a lodge-style family-friendly ski in/out boutique hotel in Nozawa Onsen. We are a fun, friendly hotel run by skiers and snowboarders for skiers and snowboarders and families who want ski in ski out access. We love to ski and snowboard just as much as our guests, and we try hard to provide everything a snow lover could want on a ski holiday. Rental shop on-site, relaxed slope-side dining and a cozy fireside bar on-site, Japanese-style baths on-site and access to many free hot springs in the village. What we are not: We are not a 5-star hotel and we do not provide 24 hour front desk or room service. We want all of our guests to have a great stay so if you require this level of service and amenities then we do suggest staying at another hotel that can service your needs better. We are a fun, funky and friendly 3-star hotel with lodge-style feel. We are on the mountain so there are extra logistics getting to the mountain, The hotel is on the slopes so groomers do drive by late at night to make the slopes outside perfect in the morning, if you think this might be a disturbance then best to stay in the village. We love having guests have a great time, so if we sound like the kind of place you and your family would enjoy then please come spend some your holiday with us!
Nozawa is great, this hotel not flexible
Reviewed By U1463QQandrewbNozawa is a great destination and perfect place to get away for the weekend if you are on a business trip, just about 2hrs from Tokyo. This Schneider has a really challenging cancellation policy and requires you to pay up front, the staff is not flexible. I recommend going to Nozawa but don’t stay at Schneider.
8. Lodge Denbee
Overall Ratings
4 based on 32 reviews
Lovely lodge down the slopes
Reviewed By leroimarcusLocated down the slopes with ski rental and the lift tickets stall right next to it, it is accessible from the village with a pair lift or an escalator (closing at 5 pm and 5:10 pm respectively). You may leave your luggage’s down the village, at Chuo station, where they'll come pick them up for you (call them to get the schedule). The food is typical Japanese, really good and affordable. It's actually better than what could be found down the village, so we’ve had dinner at the Lodge most of the time. After a day skiing, you access the lodge via the left most slopes of the station, leave your skis and equipments at the level 1, in the dry room, before enjoying the Lodge's very own Onsen. The staff is really lovely. Bring some card games to kill time before the dinner while you sip some local beer.
9. Villa Ichinose
Overall Ratings
4 based on 40 reviews
We locates altitude 1700m, in front of bus stop and ski slope, it is a good location. The rooms are Japanese-style main there, even Western-style. Enjoy a buffet or dishes using seasonal ingredients meals. Relax in the spa large shared hot bath. There fireplace and sofa, free high-speed Internet connection in the lobby. You can enjoy snowboarding and skiing in winter from December to May. Convenient Yamazaki shop open limited in winter. Restaurant 101 offer Noodles and plates for lunch, Syabu-Syabu and sukiyaki for dinner(please book in advance).You can enjoy hiking and summering from spring to autumn. Even in midsummer, you can rest comfortably at night at around 25 ℃. In addition, You can enjoy the alpine garden at an altitude of 2000m.
Great restaurant just inside the door
Reviewed By Z5768PPmarkpWe ate here twice during our stay in Shiga. Each time the food was perfect. We were lucky that we arrived early and got a table. I would probably suggest making a booking. Every night the Prince Hotel buses drop guests nearby for dinner.
10. Pension Mitsubachi Maaya
Overall Ratings
4 based on 38 reviews
Snowboarding Holiday
Reviewed By reneetoncMy partner and I loved our stay in this beautiful hotel! The host were such a laugh and very welcoming. Breakfast always had such variety of options, with some new and exciting foods each day! It was a very easy walk from the bus stop to the hotel and very easy to get to the town and the snow fields. Would highly recommend staying here.
