Hotel & Onsen 2307 Shigakogen

Really loved the experience of being in a great ryokan with onsen, kaiseki cuisine and a short walk to the ski lift! Located next door was the Shiga Palace where we could rent first rate equipment. The hotel is very comfortable with modern and traditional design. So many thoughtful touches...and the staff is first rate. They were always available and helpful. One day we were snowed in but the room and amenities were so comfortable that we didn't mind at all!

From the moment we walked into 2307 the staff was amazingly helpful. They helped us rent skis, showed us around to the fantastic onsens. The meals were over the top. Amazing. To top it off it was a 5 minute walk to the ski hill. A small mom and pop resort that was run efficiently. I will recommend this hotel to everyone who would like to explore Japan.

This hotel is a hidden gem. It is small, quaint and oh so comfortable. Each room is configered slightly differently which gives the hotel charm. We had a Japanese style tatami room, which we truly loved. The staff was superb and met all of our needs. Each day we had a keiseki breakfast and dinner included with our stay. The food was beautifully presented and oh so delicious. It was a real gourmet experience. The outdoor onsen bath was wonderful and relaxing. The hotel is conveniently located within walking distance of many ski areas. There is a free shuttle bus that will take you to and fro. Nearby is the Shiga Kogen Palace hotel where you can rent skiis, boots, snowboards, etc and a small market shop. I recommend this onsen hotel to all, including families.

The staff's exceptional helpfulness and kindness truly set this place apart, creating a welcoming and homely atmosphere. From the facility (including the room, public bath, and onsen) to the overall ambiance, the staff's demeanor, the service, and the food – everything was outstanding 💯. Enthusiastic students who share a passion for skiing also contribute to the positive vibe here. Both breakfast and Kaiseki dinner serving local ingredients were incredibly delicious. I appreciated the availability of self-service coffee in the dining room during breakfast. The room, tastefully adorned in the style of a Japanese guest house with tatami mats on the floor and a Western bed in the sleeping area, is equipped with all the essential amenities. Complimentary water, tea, and small snacks add a thoughtful touch. In the basement drying room, you'll find a ski and snowboard stand along with shelves. The location proved perfect for us – not overly crowded. It's conveniently within walking distance to the Yokoteyama ski lift and the Akari restaurant, known for its fantastic katsu dishes, gyoza, and motsuni teishoku. For those who prefer not to walk, there's a free shuttle available from the main road. Additionally, purchasing Yokoteyama lift tickets at the front desk offers cost savings. On the other side of the hotel, you'll find the Kumanoyu ski resort, accessible on foot, with another excellent restaurant. We walked to Shiga Palace Hotel to buy snacks (sandwiches, otsumami etc..), alcohol and get our ski rentals. I highly recommend Hotel & Onsen 2307 Shiga Kogen Yokote in Nagano for the friendly staff, service, food, and convenient location of both ski lifts. Yuki, the proprietor was there during our stay and it showed she genuinely cared about her staff, guests, and service. Always thinking about her community, showcasing what they have to offer, and trying to preserve the beauty surrounding it. I hope you're one of the lucky ones who gets to meet her too.

Where do I begin? We stayed at Hotel & Onsen 2307 Shiga Kogen Yokote where the highest elevation ski area in Japan is located for 3 nights followed by 3 nights at Hotel Biyu No Yado. Both hotels were excellent, a true gem of a Japanese Cultural Experience. When we arrived, the hotel proprietor, Yuki greeted us and treated us like VIP. We arrived in the morning so our rooms were not ready, but we were escorted to a private lounging area with coffee waiting for us. Hotel & Onsen 2307 had a warm comfortable feel, similar to visiting a “home” with a wonderful staff who went out of their way to accommodate us. We brought our own boots but rented our skis. Trying to maneuver through the airport & Tokyo station with skis & luggage can be cumbersome. Ski rentals were located within walking distance which made it very convenient. The hotel has a boot /ski/snowboard room downstairs. Lift tickets were around ¥6,000 ($42) for an all day pass, much cheaper than the U.S. In addition, it’s within walking distance from the hotel (free shuttles are available as well) & there were no lines at the lifts. After a great day on the slopes, we relaxed at the onsen and had delicious traditional kaiseki (multi course) dinner. Breakfast was equally delicious. In 1998 the Winter Olympics were held in Nagano, Japan, and many people don’t remember of the beautiful mountains, and excellent snow. We traveled from Honolulu, Hawaii arriving in Nagano 1.04 to ski. My family, and nine other friends from Seattle and San Francisco met in Tokyo, and headed to the beautiful mountains of Nagano. Traveling can be a challenge, the date change, time difference, selecting the correct train to board, taking the shuttle to Nagano, but the journey was well worth it!