Accommodation & Meals
10 nights accommodation in summary:
- 6 x nights accommodation at Hotel Omodaka in twin share Japanese style rooms with private bathrooms OR at Yudanaka Monkey Lodge with share toilets and onsen bathing
- 4 x nights at Tenjin Lodge in twin share Japanese style room
Hotel Omodaka
Hotel Omodaka in Yudanaka Onsen, sits adjacent to the Yomase River, and the onsen and many of the guest rooms enjoy lovely views of the surrounding mountains. The open-air onsen baths overlook the Five Mountains of Hokushin.
Omodaka is owned and operated by an amazing family who make your time there a true authentic Japanese experience.
Rooms
Most of the rooms at Omodaka Hotel are washitsu ie Japanese style rooms with tatami flooring. All twin/triple/quad share rooms have a toilet and handbasin and a shower, or you can bathe in the onsen. The single supplement rooms have a toilet and wash basin, with bathing in the onsen.
Beds are futons, and if you like a soft bed, there are extra futons to double up.
Rooms are larger than most in Yudanaka and all rooms have a flat screen TV, small fridge & kettle. Your room also has a traditional yukata (cotton kimono), which is not mandatory to wear at this hotel, although it is definitely comfortable attire after a day on the slopes.
You can upgrade to the deluxe western room which is double the size of the Japanese style rooms and sleeps a maximum of 4 people. It has 2 oversized twin beds plus a large tatami seating area for 2 futons. This room has a large bathroom, with a bath and rain shower.
Facilities
The hotel has an onsen, with gender segregated baths on an elevated floor, and the balcony of the rotenburo (outdoor bath) offers views across towards Mt Myoko and other mountains. In addition to the outdoor onsen, there are indoor baths and a sauna which is rare in Yudanaka.
Other amenities:
- Small lounge in lobby
- Gift shop that also sells some sundries
- Free wifi throughout the hotel
- Bar and River Cafe that serves up great burgers and toasties in case you're hankering for a non-Japanese meal
- Massage services available
- Drinks vending machines
- Table tennis room
- The hotel does not have clothes washing facilities however there is a public laundry a short walk away.
Dining
The breakfast dining room has traditional Japanese décor such as shoji screens and tatami flooring, along with comfort of western-style tables and chairs. Breakfast (included) is served buffet style and includes some classic Japanese breakfast fare such as miso soup, rice, salad, dumplings, pickles, mini sausages, and omelette rectangles, as well as a few western staples. Coffee and juice are also provided.
Evening meals are multi-course Japanese cuisine served in a traditional dining room by your personal waiter. Dinner is a great opportunity to sample lots of Japanese fare.
Location
The hotel is located adjacent to the river and it is 1.1km southeast of the Yudanaka train station, and arrival and departure shuttles are provided by the hotel. The main hub of Yudanaka restaurants and the bar district are about 1km from the hotel, and you have the option of getting the one-way shuttle to get to restaurants in the evening.
Omodaka has a free drop off service to the snow monkey park 20 minutes earlier than the other accommodation in town so that you get the luxury of arriving at the park early, so you have the place to yourself for a length of time (it is a tourist attraction so gets busy).
Snow Monkey Lodge (Economy)
Just 200 metres from Yudanaka Station, Snow Monkey Lodge has become something of a local icon. With its vibrant murals and eclectic artwork adorning the walls, the lodge radiates personality and creativity, offering travellers a unique, budget-friendly base without compromising on atmosphere or comfort.
Recently renovated, the property blends traditional ryokan-style accommodation with modern conveniences. Rooms feature tatami mat flooring, Western-style beds, and traditional yukata robes—perfect for throwing on after a day in the snow.
Facilities & Experience
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Separate gendered onsens for men and women, offer a classic Japanese bathing experience
- Downstairs bar (The Bunker)
- For something more private, book the outdoor onsen and sauna retreat, located just 50 metres from the main building—great for couples or small groups.
- A fully equipped communal kitchen and dining space for those who prefer to self-cater
- Continental breakfast included daily (cereals, fresh fruit, toast, hot and cold drinks)
Dining
The included dinners are hosted at Hotel Omodaka, where you’ll enjoy an elegant multi-course Japanese meal, served in the hotel’s dining room.
Breakfast is continental style, toast, cereal, coffee and tea.
Additional Perks
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Free Wi-Fi throughout the lodge
- Access to nearby massage services
- Close to restaurants, convenience stores, and public laundry
Whilst a pickup service is not offered from the train station, the lodge is just a short walk from the station and the staff can help arrange a taxi if needed.
Tenjin Lodge - Gunma
Tenjin Lodge is a Tenjin Lodge is a mountain lodge deep in the Joetsu National Park, and just minutes away from Tenjindaira Ski Resort. Your hosts Kieren and his team provide a homely experience for travellers and the family pet Lucky is the ever-attentive receptionist.
There are two types of rooms, Western or Japanese style, with their own bathroom. 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.
The male and female baths downstairs 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.
Breakfasts are served 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 coffe/tea or juice.
On two nights the group dines in at Tenjin Lodge and also travel into the local town of Minakami for other 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 serving up some great value cuisine.
Be aware this is a different accommodation experience to that of Hotel Omodaka which is very Japanese. Tenjin Lodge is owned and run by westerners and is very remote and experiences more extreme weather conditions, so it will give you a different level of service to that of a Japanese property. Variety is the spice of life.