Berg Marukaneya

We settled on ‘the Berg’ after favouring the ryokan’s proximity to the Karasawa ski slopes which has some easy green runs. Ironically, the run wasn’t open when we were there due to lack of snow, but Nagasaka is also pretty close and is around 10 minutes walk, or you can take the free shuttle bus there. Hikage is a further 5 minutes or so along, again serviced by the free shuttle. If you need ski lessons, Hikage is where you need to head to, they also have ski hire at both there and Nagasaka areas. Sato-san the owner checked us in and was super helpful throughout our stay, even driving us to Nagasaka runs one day and dropped us off the central bus stop on day of departure. Warm and friendly Japanese service, from both Sato and the rest of the team. The room itself was comfortable, and typical ryokan style where you have a small table in the room, and tatami mats on the floor. When its time to sleep, just take out the mats and blankets and make your bed for the night! The rooms have their own toilet, but no shower or bath, you can use the great onsen in the basement, and like previous reviewers, we were the only ones to see use it while we were there. Breakfast is served daily and the menu varies each day, usually there was fruit and some fish, but for westerners they have toast and jam. They also do dinner, and the ryokan has a washing machine in the basement, plus ski equipment fore hire at super reasonable rates, we hired skis and boots for a day and a half for 3,500 Yen. The list pass was 7,000 for same period. The nearest bus stop is Nakao which is about 7 minutes on foot from the hotel, you can walk back to the main bus stop in around 10 minutes and probably a better option when leaving, as the bus is usually full before leaving central stop. The buses back to Iiyama are not overly frequent, nor are the Shinkansen’s back to Tokyo/Nagano. You can take an afternoon tour to the Snow monkeys for around 5,500 Yen which is well worth it, its an hour each way there, and you get another hour in the park and the same to walk in from the drop off point, there and back. Staying in Ryokan’s (or B & B’s for that matter) often make me feel like I am staying in someone’s house, but I didn’t feel like this at the Berg, which is a truly lovely establishment with traditional ryokan touches. Remember this is a cash only property so make sure you have plenty on hand for the room rates and lift passes etc.