Hodakaso Yamano Hotel

The food was outstanding and a lot of it. The outdoor onsen was amazing, not too hot and spectacular scenery. The staff were very helpful and friendly, offering assistance with initiative.

Not much, the pillows were small, as were the complimentary indoor footwear, but these are very minor issues that did not detract from the overall experience. Also, the staff saw that the footwear was too small and found some larger ones without being asked.

The rustic look and the view of the snow capped mountains.

This is a very traditional Japanese hotel and I don’t think prefer tourist who don’t speak Japanese. The staff can hardly speak any English which makes it difficult for tourist like us. They are very traditional in their thoughts and ways as the staff managing the hotel is much older. It didn’t feel very welcoming, we couldn’t switch last minute as the stay was non refundable.

Breakfast and dinner was the highlight.Mixed onsen was prolly the largest outdoor i've seen in japan!The cable car to the onsen was a good experience.

They have lots of stink bug all over the ryokan. They did put a sign to let you know, but for the price point they should make sure there is no bugs inside the ryokan.I booked 1 deluxe room and 1 traditional room but both of the room looks identical. Not sure if i overpaid for the deluxe room or they just put us together in the traditional room.

Great location and very professional staff, it is an old but grand hotel. The meals are nicely done and the best part is the mixed onsen. It is across the street and down a funicular and it is wonderful - large with beautiful mountain views.

Nothing it was very nice

This hotel has a lot of character - the architecture is appealing and there are beautiful ponds just outside the entrance. There are multiple hot spring options including a more typical indoor/outdoor space, as well as a nearby and accessible large outdoor bath near the river. Really great ambience overall. The staff was friendly and the meals at the restaurant had great local food.

The onset was very god

I think should be a staffs speaking English due to the amount of foreign people. For me Japanese was not so much problem since I can speak a little. And I knew that staffs did not speak English.

The views of the mountains and the onsens were just wonderful.

The breakfast and dinner were very interesting but very different. I got to try many strange (to me) foods but I would not eat there again.

The location is beautiful. The outdoors baths are great, and the mixed bath is also fun.

The mosquitos of summer. But that's everywhere up in the mountains.

The location in the mountains was stunning. The property is a bit older, but I found that to be part of the charm of this Japanese mountain inn. The onsen in the hotel was nice, but the outdoor onsen across the street (accessed by a small cable car) was gorgeous, with a beautiful view. The elaborate meals were beautifully presented and they accommodated my pescatarian diet.

It is a bit tricky to access, requiring 2 buses from our previous location. There is very little in the vicinity, so plan to stay on property or take a bus to access the Shinhotaka ropeway.

AVOID AT ALL COST: Unprofessional staff and a severely outdated hotel

Let me tell you — this hotel? Total disaster. The pictures online? FAKE NEWS. We showed up late at night and honestly, it felt like we were walking into a horror movie. Creepy lights, ancient furniture, everything looked like it hadn’t been touched since the 1960s. Very sad!We had confirmed our breakfast in advance — twice — and guess what? They gave us something completely different. Total mess. When we asked about it, the restaurant and reception started yelling at each other on the phone right in front of us. Complete chaos. We got an omelet as an apology. An omelet!The room? Terrible. Freezing cold, full of dead mosquitoes — a real insect graveyard — and guess what they call ventilation? A hole in the wall with a piece of plastic. Not kidding. Mosquitoes just waltzed right in like they owned the place.The door wasn’t even locked when we arrived. Security? Zero. The bed? Horrible. Old, sagging mattress, sheets that smelled like your grandma’s attic, and pillows so flat you’d have better luck sleeping on your suitcase.The whole place smells like wet, rotting wood. And just when you think it’s over — surprise! They hit you with a “spa tax” on your way out. And when I asked what it was for? The guy goes, “Just pay it, I pay taxes in your country too.” Unbelievable. Totally unprofessional. Worst hotel experience. Avoid at all costs!

We requested for the vegetarian menu. And the Chef has provided great food for both Breakfast and Dinner. On the first day, we did request for a change and happy that even that was accommodated in next meal.

Great staff, very attentive & helpful. Great outdoor onsen. Comfortable room!

Location was in a beautiful area but rather isolated. We were grateful to have a bus stop near the hotel to get to sights nearby.

room size , the Onsen

NO western meal

Nice view Nice onsen (outdoor and indoor)Breakfast and dinner is so good!

Quite old fashion and the hair dryer is weak (both in public onsen and in room)

The mixed gender outdoor bath was wonderful and well lit at night too. The restaurant crew was very hospitable and helpful and created a fun experience for us during dinner and breakfast as we engaged with them to ask more about the ingredients of the traditional Japanese meals we received.

The rooms maybe could have been aired out a little more. There was a very stuffed feeling and a bit of a moldy smell in both rooms.

Beautiful scenery.The cable car ride to the outdoor hot spring pool was a unique experience.

Course menu is not suitable for kids. It would be nice to have a kids menu.

Underwhelming and overpriced

Instructions for the mixed onsen use were not clear. They added a tax for it and rentals bathers that they required you to wear. The dinner was underwhelming and nothing special definitely not worth the price

Meals were fantastic. Room was very spacious, private onsen was nice. Hotel was interesting to be in in a good quirky way. Nice lounge with open fire. Bud stop right out the front.

Nothing really

Beautiful location. Old-fashioned hotel and onsen. Good unique Japanese breakfast and dinner (for dinner you need to make a reservation beforehand).

Would book it for one night only as it’s an experience but not necessarily a nice to stay hotel for in the mountains while hiking and doing other things.

The landscaped outdoor onsen was a highlight; it’s beautifully integrated into the environment.I very much appreciate that the chef accommodated our wish for a pescatarian diet without fuss. Many thanks for that!

Uninspired standard bedrooms.