Hôtel Ougatou

Perfect hospitality Although the weather was bad, the staff's attentiveness, the walk through the fog, and even seeing cows were wonderful... Above all, the food, both dinner and breakfast, was superb! Next time, I definitely want to come back to see the starry sky.

It's a classic, but you can't go wrong with it.

Guests can take a bus from Matsumoto Station or the nearest parking lot, Furusato-kan. We used the cafe. It was about an hour's walk from the parking lot. It was a sunny day, and the sunlight was very strong. Apparently, it's a hotel that's notoriously difficult to book.

No matter what season you stay, you can enjoy stunning views. The hospitality and food (both in taste and quantity) are excellent; it's hard to believe this hotel is located over 2000 meters above sea level. Numerous events such as tours and stargazing are available, and you can also enjoy the large public bath and sauna. You'll never get bored, even up in the mountains.

I stopped by for lunch while taking a walk from the Utsukushigahara Kogen Museum to Ougato and Ougahana. I had the beef stew. It came with two pieces of bread and cost around 1800 yen. Since it was a weekday, the restaurant was not crowded, and even though I was alone, I was able to use a window seat. The beef stew didn't have much of a wine flavor and was more like a demi-glace sauce, but it had a small amount of potatoes and meat in it, so it was alright.

A guesthouse where you can enjoy nature. A guesthouse you'll want to return to again and again. Perhaps other mountain lodges will start to have this kind of atmosphere... I've been here twice in winter, and it's a guesthouse I'd like to visit again.

I stayed one night in February. I was picked up by the hotel from the Misuzu Lake parking lot to the summit. There was frost all the way, and I was already in awe even before I arrived. The silvery white world was truly beautiful. The next morning was as clear as day. I was thrilled to be able to see the Northern Alps, Mt. Ontake, and Mt. Asama so clearly. The panoramic view, possible only at that altitude, was breathtaking. The view I was looking forward to was even better than I expected. When the weather is right, it's truly another world. The dinner was quite filling. To be honest, it was hard to finish it. The taste was more passable than anything special. The presentation and appearance were gorgeous, and it looked great in photos. I'd been there many times on day trips before, but the morning view was something I could only experience by staying overnight. It was an experience that made me think, "It's a shame I hadn't stayed overnight before."

The view was absolutely stunning! All the staff were incredibly friendly, and I was so touched by how wonderful the experience was from arrival to departure. The interior was stylish, and I thoroughly enjoyed everything about the food—the seasoning, the presentation, the tableware. I definitely want to come back in a different season!