Thank you for your hospitality. It was the mountain lodge I’d always dreamed of visiting—one you can’t reach unless you go through the Happo Gorge. The hamburger steak for dinner was meaty and delicious. I’d love to visit again if I get the chance.

First of all, I’m grateful that the hut is there—I think the peace of mind and feasibility of our traverse plan would have been very different if it hadn’t been there. Also, staying overnight was one of the main purposes of this trip. I was pleased to find that the interior was kept clean, and the bedding and mats were comfortable and dry. The rice was cooked perfectly, and I could really feel the staff’s thoughtfulness in the menu featuring local ingredients. Since the trail leading there is quite challenging, I wouldn’t call it a casual outing, but it’s definitely worth a visit.

Dinner was delicious. The restrooms were clean. The view from the cabin was amazing. I was asked to show a QR code at check-in, but since I had made the reservation from my work computer, I couldn’t display it. That experience was unpleasant. Although occupancy was only about 60% of capacity, the place was packed. I wish they had handled it with the guest’s perspective in mind. Breakfast started at 5:00 a.m. and that was the only option. Many people were eating boxed lunches in the cabin, so it would have been even better if it had started at 4:30 a.m., when it starts to get light outside.

It’s unfortunate that we were crammed into a single section even though there was plenty of space available. From the perspective of infection control, I would appreciate it if you could take social distancing into consideration. Since I arrived soaking wet, it was a huge help that the drying room and dining hall were heated.

Since I had registered my travel companions’ information in advance, check-in went very smoothly. Also, even though I arrived a little later than scheduled, the staff was very kind and accommodating. For dinner, you can have as many refills of rice and miso soup as you like, so you can really eat your fill. The side dishes had a good balance of vegetables and meat, which I really enjoyed. It’s not exactly a place you can visit on a whim, but if I have the chance, I’d definitely like to stay there again.

Thank you for your hospitality during our two-day, one-night stay. Dinner was warm and delicious. I didn’t save the QR code when I checked in, which caused some trouble at the front desk, but I was glad I could use the Wi-Fi. It was great that the smartphone charging station had USB-A and USB-C ports in addition to standard outlets. I suppose it depends on luck, but I was very happy to be able to see the sunset view toward Mt. Tsurugi.

Thank you very much for your hospitality this time. Located at the saddle along the Kiretto Ridge traverse, when I spotted the lodge’s red roof, a sense of relief washed over me amid my fatigue and tension—I thought, “That’s today’s destination.” And the hamburger steak for dinner, served with a generous helping of shredded cabbage, was so juicy and delicious that it was hard to believe it was a lodge meal. The morning bento also included fried chicken and was very tasty. Thanks to that high-calorie start, even though we set out at 3:30 a.m., I was able to maintain my stamina with plenty to spare until we reached the next lodge (Goryu Sanso). I imagine maintaining the mountain lodge at the Kireto Saddle must be very difficult, but I’d love to stay there again in the future, so I look forward to your continued hospitality.

I’d heard that conditions at the cabin were extremely harsh, but it seems that was a thing of the past. It seems they no longer serve bread for lunch.

The trails leading north and south from the cabin are both steep right from the start. Although I was hiking alone, I was able to enjoy some conversation at dinner since I was seated at a table with other solo hikers.