On my hiking trip, I first stayed at a mountain lodge with private rooms. It was comfortable, the food was delicious, and I had a wonderful afternoon with my friends. I made some wonderful memories at Hakuba Mountain Lodge.

I really got a sense of just how impressive Hakuba Sanso is. The sheer size and scale of the place made me glad I stayed there.

This was my second time staying here, and just like last time, I had a very comfortable stay. After staying here this time, I’ve come to like Hakuba Sanso even more than before. When I went to restock on Pocari Sweat, the vending machine at Sky Plaza was out of stock. When I mentioned this, the staff member smiled and told me there was another vending machine in the lounge, and they promptly restocked the one at Sky Plaza as well. Thank you for your thoughtful service. Another thing I really appreciated was how the staff at the front desk were all firmly reminding hikers, “Please don’t ring your bear bells!” It wasn’t just about polite customer service—the fact that they treated hikers as equals really felt like a true mountain lodge. I also found Mr. Matsuzawa’s account of Hakuba Sanso’s history incredibly fascinating. I’m probably around the same age as Mr. Matsuzawa, and seeing him dedicate himself so passionately to the mountains and Hakuba Sanso was truly inspiring. I’d love to speak with him in person someday. It’s because of Hakuba Sanso and Mount Hakuba that I love this mountain range. I apologize for the long message. I look forward to staying there again. Thank you so much! Congratulations on your 120th anniversary!

I had a wonderful time and felt very comfortable. Next time, I definitely want to try the beef stew!

I really appreciated being able to get seconds of rice and miso soup. I was satisfied with the breakfast, which included two whole fish. The bento box was also filled with side dishes that gave me a real energy boost. Both the cabin and the restrooms were spotlessly clean, so I didn’t experience any inconveniences. If I’d known the tap water was safe to drink, I wouldn’t have had to carry such heavy water with me. Still, I was able to refill my bottle there, which put my mind at ease as I headed back down the mountain. 　When I opened the window in my room, I was thrilled to see Mt. Shakushi and Mt. Tsurugi. It was a truly extraordinary experience.

The view of the Hakuba mountain range’s ridgeline from the Sky Lounge was absolutely stunning. The coffee tasted absolutely delicious while watching the sunrise. I also had the chance to hear stories about the history of Hakuba Sanso as part of the 120th-anniversary event, which made my trip to Mount Hakuba even more meaningful. I really hope they continue to hold these events on a regular basis. I stayed in a shared room in Building 1, but it felt much colder than the rooms in Building 2. Also, since the restrooms weren’t well-maintained, I felt there was a significant disparity between the rooms in Building 1 and Building 2. If possible, I wish they could have provided a heater for the rooms in Building 1 as well. The meals offered a wide variety of dishes and warmed both my body and soul. I especially appreciated the miso soup, which was generously loaded with ingredients. The dinner also sparked lively conversations with other hikers, and I felt a real sense of camaraderie.

The room was spacious, so I was able to relax comfortably. The restroom was also comfortable. At the restaurant, I tried the “Sanzoku-yaki” curry, and I was blown away by how delicious it was. The cake set was also very tasty. It was the kind of mountain lodge that made me want to go back again. It’s a place I’d definitely recommend to my hiking buddies.

The lecture marking the 120th anniversary of Hakuba Sanso was packed with content and delivered at a pace that kept me engaged—it was truly moving. It was such a wonderful experience that I’d love to meet that woman again and hear her speak. The Washlet in Building No. 2 was also amazing 😭

We had a fantastic stay. We made it to check in between 3 & 4 pm and were given an upgraded room which was a wonderful surprise. The rooms are rather cold but the common areas are nice and warm and your own cold weather clothing plus the bedding warms you up nicely as you sleep. Heated toilet seats and bidets were a crazy surprise! Everything was so comfortable and clean. All staff were very friendly and helpful. The extra food that can be bought during opening hours in the café is a great bonus to the dinner offered in the dining room. Delicious food especially the hot sake and pie were perfect after a very wet and rainy hike. I’d recommend just doing breakfast in the dining hall rather than getting a breakfast bento - we had the bento but it would have been nice to get the hot food instead. Breakfast was served around 5 - 5:30 which would have been plenty early for us to start our hike on time. The lunch bento was great though for eating later in the day. All food was delicious!

This is actually my second time staying at Hakuba Sanso. My first visit was over 10 years ago; back then, I hiked the trail during the July blooming season when the flower fields are in full bloom, but unfortunately, the weather wasn’t on my side. Also, I arrived at the lodge around 5:00 p.m., so I only had time to eat dinner. In contrast, on this trip—even though it was a long journey and a major typhoon was forecast—the weather while summiting Mt. Hakuba was only slightly cloudy. Since I set out early in the morning, I was able to arrive at the lodge while the shop and cafeteria (Sky Plaza) were still open, which allowed me to truly appreciate the benefits of the newly renovated lodge. In addition, on the morning of the descent—the day after our arrival—perhaps because the weather was somewhat cloudy, we were able to spot ptarmigans three times along the trail.