Akakura Hotel

With hundreds of year of experience in the business, the Akakura Hotel and its Annex are experts in providing high quality accommodation. It's probably the only hotel you'll find a humanoid robot, capable of speaking Japanese and English and having a conversation with guests. Although, if that novelty isn't enough to sell you, the hotel's facilities might be. Located just a five minute walk from the ski lifts, Akakura offers simple yet comfortable and cosy accommodation with a huge range of entertainment and activity options.

The hotel features indoor, outdoor and private onsens, some of which are shared and some separated into male and female. There are also stone baths, wooden baths and simple tile baths, most of which are open either 24 hours or from early morning to evening. To go with it, the hotel offers Jacuzzi baths and a sauna, as well as a massage service to guests which can be accessed through reservation.

Akakura also houses a high quality restaurant, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner every day. Guests are welcome to enjoy a complimentary breakfast spread featuring western and Japanese options, while lunch and dinner feature traditional dishes that are prepared from local, fresh ingredients. The hotel also features a mini golf course, available in the summer months, and business centre/conference room with internet access. If you still don't think you'll have enough to do, there's a karaoke room and a games corner, too. The rooms of the hotel are simple and without frills, but exceptionally well kept and clean, offering a great mix of Japanese and western décor and furnishing. The annex offers more budget-friendly rooms, while the main building's rooms are larger with a few extra amenities. Each room, though, is serviced with an ensuite bathroom, some entertainment and tea/coffee making facilities, and the Japanese rooms also feature beautiful traditional spaces with great décor.

If you're waiting to hear what the hotel can do for skiers, you'll be glad to know both the hotel runs a basic ski rental service with standard equipment and wear and offers a shuttle bus around the town. There is also a small drying and storage room, but during busier times this can get a little crowded.