I stayed here the night before Mountain Day, which is a very busy time of year. I also had to change my reservation from the one I’d originally made two weeks earlier, but I was able to do so smoothly using this app, which was a huge help. First of all, when I saw the lodge from Mt. Hakuba, I was surprised to find it was a truly massive facility—just as I’d heard—and I learned that this year marks its 120th anniversary. I was delighted to receive a commemorative sticker as a gift; it made for a wonderful memento. While I could feel the weight of its history, the facility was well-maintained—I was surprised at how clean the restrooms and sinks were. I stayed in a dormitory-style room; the bedding felt clean, so I didn’t use the sleeping bag liner. Since the lodge wasn’t fully booked, I woke up a few times, but I’d say I still got a decent night’s sleep. Even with so many hikers there, the staff worked together seamlessly to serve meals very smoothly—truly worthy of being Japan’s number one! The young part-time staff members were also impressive. It was wonderful to see. I had some symptoms resembling altitude sickness that day, so it was a shame I couldn’t finish my meal, but I saw others going back for seconds of rice and miso soup—it was a delicious meal. I was told that everyone lines up for breakfast well before the 5:00 a.m. start time, so I went early. Thanks to that, I was of course let in just after 5:00, but there were many people waiting afterward. Waiting is inevitable during peak season, so I’d recommend bringing a packed lunch if you’re setting out early in the morning. I’d like to visit again when it’s a little less crowded to see what it’s like then. My only regret is that, had I been feeling better, I would have liked to enjoy the café a bit more. What sets this hut apart from others is that there are staff from the clinic on-site; they spoke to me, which put me at ease—I think that’s a real plus. I highly recommend it! Thank you very much.

I finally got to stay at the Hakuba Mountain Lodge I’d always dreamed of! I was assigned to a shared Japanese-style room. I’d assumed the rooms were separated by gender, so I was surprised to find that even groups with men in them were put in the same room. But there was a changing room, so it was nice to be able to change clothes and such there. I stayed in Building 2 again, and I was surprised to find that the restrooms were incredibly clean and even equipped with Washlet bidets. I don’t think this is the first time I’ve seen a Washlet in a mountain lodge. For dinner, the miso soup tasted like pork miso soup and was absolutely delicious! Since we had to leave early in the morning, we opted for a bento box for breakfast, and the karaage was well-seasoned and delicious as well. It’s always a pleasure to stay at a mountain lodge with such delicious food! I’d love to stay there again if I get the chance.

This was my second time staying here, and it really is the best mountain lodge! And get this—the restroom has a flush toilet with a Washlet seat, which is so comfortable! 👍 There’s no cell service in the rooms, but if you’re staying in Buildings 2 or 3, you can use your phone in the first-floor lounge (docomo).

The restaurant is the best

I booked the special private room specifically to take advantage of the plan that lets you enjoy a leisurely breakfast at Sky Plaza. Since our hiking schedule the day after our stay was short, I chose this plan, but at check-in, I was told about the standard breakfast instead. There was absolutely no mention of breakfast at Sky Plaza. I was able to change it only after I brought it up myself. Since the breakfast time I was told was set for 5:30 a.m., I went to the front desk later to ask if I could change it to a slightly later time, but I was told, “It’s a mountain lodge, after all.” This was a baffling response, especially since I had explained that I wanted to leave a bit later because our hiking time the next day would be short. I got the impression that the fact the Sky Plaza plan is listed on the website isn’t widely known. It was also disappointing that, even though we paid a premium for the private room, we weren’t informed about the Sky Plaza breakfast option at all until we brought it up ourselves.

At Sky Plaza, I enjoyed some pancakes with a cute ptarmigan logo on them. Taking in the breathtaking view really lifted my spirits!

We had a wonderful experience at the top of the mountain. The service at reception was excellent, and everyone was so friendly, welcoming, and willing to help. The atmosphere was lovely, making the whole experience even more enjoyable. A beautiful place with wonderful people—we truly enjoyed our stay!

It's so clean, you'd never guess it's a mountain lodge. The restrooms, in particular, are spotless, and any unpleasant odors have been significantly reduced. The Sky Plaza, the views, and the menu are all fantastic—it really makes you feel like you're living the high life.

It was so well-equipped for dining and living—and so thoroughly clean—that it was hard to believe we were high up in the mountains. ✨ We had a very comfortable stay. 😊 The four of us had plenty of space in our 8-tatami-mat private room. It was a big help being able to charge our cell phones in the room. Also, for breakfast at Sky Plaza, we were able to enjoy a leisurely meal starting at 5:30 a.m. without having to wait in line, and we were treated to complimentary coffee☕️ after the meal✨—a perk of having a private room, so we felt lucky😊 The restrooms and washrooms had been renovated and were very comfortable to use. However, some guests didn’t dry their hands after washing, so there were quite a few water droplets on the floor. I thought that if there were a mop or something similar, I could wipe them up as soon as I noticed. Please do provide a mop. I hope guests can work together to keep the place comfortable 😊 This is a mountain lodge I’d definitely like to stay at again if I get the chance ✨️