Accommodation & Meals
10 nights accommodation in summary:
- 6 x nights accommodation at either Lodge Aibiya (standard package) in twin share western room with shared bathroom, or 6 night at Ryokan Biyu in twin share Japanese style rooms with own bathrooms
- 4 x nights at Tenjin Lodge in twin share Japanese style room
Lodge Aibya
Lodge Aibiya is located in Yudanaka township and the perfect place to relax after a day on the slopes. Yoshi and Seongmi provide a high level of Japanese service backed up with western insights gained by working overseas. English speaking with a wealth of knowledge of the Nagano area, Yoshi and Seongmi will look after all your needs.
The Lodge has an option of quad share single western bed dorm rooms for group bookings and twin share rooms with shared bathroom. They have a twin room with double bed which is ideal for couples or for those that want to upgrade to the single supplement and there is the option to upgrade to the deluxe rooms with private bathrooms which can sleep up to four people.
There is a well equipped kitchen for those who would like to cook themselves (supermarket shuttle available) or you can enjoy the many traditional Japanese restaurants only a short walk away. There are two different types of lounge rooms and a separate cinema room. There are separate male and female shared shower rooms.
A free continental breakfast is provided each day with breads, cereal, fruits, yoghurt, coffee, tea and fruit juices.
Free WI-FI is available throughout the lodge. A gift shop with crafts made locally and beverages, local Shiga Kogen beer and snacks are available for sale. Experience the tradition at a local ryokan onsen for a small fee.
The lodge is only a 3 minute walk from the train station and local convenience stores are nearby.
Ryokan Biyo no Yado
Ryokan Biyu no Yado is a
3.5 star Ryokan (Japanese Inn).
Rooms all come with
private ensuite/bathroom and are Japanese-style with
woven tatami floors and
futon beds. All rooms have a flat screen TV, small fridge & kettle. Your room also has a traditional yukata which is not mandatory to wear at this Ryokan, although it is definitely comfortable attire after a day on the slopes.
The Ryokan also has some western rooms which are double the size of the Japanese rooms available as an up-grade for an additional cost.
There is a spectacular an
indoor Japanese bathhouse (onsen) and
outdoor hot spring (rotenburo) and there is also a
private onsen available for rent for an additional fee.
The THREE night-time meals included in the Ryokan Biyu package are
traditional multi-course Japanese cuisine served in the hotel dining area.
Breakfast (also included) is either Japanese or Western-style. For the remaining night-time meals you have the choice of many authentic Japanese restaurants in down-town Yudanaka or Nakano, or you can buy additional meals at the Ryokan.
There are massage services available, free wi-fi in the common lounge area, a luxurious lounge bar and common seating area, drinks vending machines, grand piano, large screen TV, karaoke and a souvenir shop.
Tenjin Lodge
Tenjin Lodge is a family-owned and operated mountain lodge, deep in the Joetsu National Park, and just minutes away from Tenjindaira Ski Resort. Your hosts, Bo Yeon, Kieren and their staff provide a homely experience for travellers, and their daughter Hana acts as entertainment manager, and the family pet Lucky is the ever attentive receptionist.
There are two types of rooms Western or Japanese style with their own toilet and wash basin, with shared lodge bathing facilities. Each room has a powerful winter heater with a fridge and free WI-FI throughout the property. The western rooms are first in best dressed as they are limited in number. There is also a family room that sleeps up to six people.
The male and female baths are fed by the same natural mountain spring which supplies water to the lodge. They are not onsens as the water is heated to temperature and the room has a pleasant ambiance with views of the forest outside. The water is not re-circulated so the baths are operating on a constant flow. Each bathroom has two showers which run hot 24 hours of the day and during the ski season the baths are available between 5pm and 8pm.
Breakfasts are served at the Lazy Bear Restaurant in house and are made up of either the western breakfast consisting of a hearty serving of scrambled eggs and toast or the mountain breakfast consisting of warm oatmeal served with chopped seasonal fruit and yogurt. Both breakfasts come with coffee/tea or juice. The evening meals at the lodge consist of Italian pastas, South East Asian and Korean dishes.
You will also travel into the local town of Minakami for two of the nights to sample some of the tasty cuisine from the local restaurants. A must is Restaurant Daruma – Japanese Izakaya in Minakami where the Master is always welcoming and he serves up some great value cuisine.