The rooms and restrooms gave a clean and tidy impression. During check-in, the front desk staff’s attitude was noticeably arrogant.

We had curry for dinner. I don’t particularly dislike it, but I would have preferred a more balanced meal with vegetables and protein. I also wanted to make sure I’d feel good the next day. Also, regarding the water: there was boiled water available for a fee, but I wasn’t sure if it was safe to drink the water from the sink in the washroom, which made me a little uneasy. I understand it’s difficult because water is a precious resource at mountain huts, but I wish they had at least let us know if it was safe to drink. The sole of my hiking boot was starting to come off, so it was a huge help that they gave me some superglue at the front desk. I was able to complete my long-awaited traverse of Mt. Goryu and Mt. Karamatsu in good weather, and it turned into a wonderful autumn hiking memory. Thank you very much.

We were crammed eight people into a single room. One person snored loudly all night long, so I barely got any sleep (though that was partly my own fault for not preparing better). I thought it was unusual to be packed in so tightly since the COVID-19 pandemic (compared to the lodge in Kamikochi where I stayed in August). Still, the room was clean. I was grateful that they had a large stove running inside the lodge (and a blue heater on the second floor as well). I was surprised to find a Washlet in the restroom. It was very comfortable to use. I also thought it was great because it helped conserve toilet paper. The draft beer served after climbing Mt. Goryu was absolutely delicious.

We booked the “Silkworm Shelf” plan with dinner included for two people, but ended up sharing one section with six people in a shared room. Since there were other vacant “Silkworm Shelf” sections available, I thought it might have been better to split us up among those—even though I imagine cleaning them would have been a lot of work. Otherwise, I thought the hospitality was excellent.

The portion of rice with the nighttime curry was too big, which made it a bit overwhelming. I thought it would be nice if they could adjust the portion size, but then I wondered which would be more of a hassle—adjusting the portion or going through the trouble of getting a second helping… Breakfast was really delicious. I really liked that I could pay cashless and that the QR code check-in went so smoothly.

The cabin was very clean and tidy. It was well-maintained, making for a comfortable stay. What stood out in particular was that the toilet had a Washlet. I was both surprised and grateful to have such a comfortable toilet at a mountain cabin nearly 2,500 meters above sea level. However, the only downside was that the futons were narrow! I’m not sure about the other rooms, but in the “silkworm room,” I think it would be difficult for a larger man to roll over in his sleep. I imagine this is a measure the lodge has taken to maximize capacity and ensure hikers’ safety, but it did throw me off a bit at first. That said, the futons themselves were clean—I could tell they’re regularly air-dried in the sun—and I was so exhausted that I slept soundly without even noticing it (haha). The curry for dinner was also very delicious, and since you can get seconds, I think even men will be satisfied. I opted for a packed lunch for breakfast, so I didn’t get to try it—which is a shame. I didn’t have the stamina to carry a tent, and if it weren’t for the lodge, I wouldn’t be able to climb the mountain, so I’m truly grateful. Since this was a second attempt after a previous cancellation, I’m glad I was able to make it.