Overview

Stay at Komakusa Hotel in Norikura Kogen, around 1,500 metres above sea level. Birch forests, mountain air, ski slopes, waterfalls, and highland walking routes surround this small 17-room hotel.

The hotel reopened after renovation in May 2025. Its alpine-style exterior and warm wooden interior create a casual mountain-lodge atmosphere, while free-flowing milky hot spring water gives you a traditional Norikura bathing experience.

Mt. Norikura Snow Resort is around one minute away on foot, and a local bus stops directly outside. During the warmer months, you can use the hotel as a base for Mount Norikura, Kamikochi, Ichinose Meadow, waterfalls, cycling, and stargazing.

Accommodation

Choose between Japanese-Western Rooms on the second floor and Japanese Rooms on the third floor. Both categories measure approximately 21.9 square metres, and all rooms are non-smoking.

The Japanese-Western Room includes two semi-double beds, Japanese-style floor space, a private Washlet toilet, and a separate washbasin. It accommodates up to three people, with a futon prepared when three people share the room.

Selected Japanese-Western Rooms include a private bathroom, while others have a toilet and washbasin without a bath. Private room baths use regular heated water rather than natural onsen water.

The Japanese Room accommodates up to four people and uses futon bedding on tatami. Selected rooms have a private bathroom and Washlet toilet, while others include a toilet without a bath. Futons are placed in the room before your arrival, so the sleeping area is ready when you check in.

Windows look towards the trees and highland scenery around the building. Cherry trees, maples, birches, ski slopes, summer greenery, autumn leaves, and winter snow change the view throughout the year.

Every room includes heating and air conditioning, a humidifying air purifier, empty refrigerator, kettle, tea set, safe, desk, chairs, reading light, free Wi-Fi, towels, nightwear, slippers, toothbrushes, hair dryer, comb, razor, cotton swabs, and hair ties.

There is no television inside your room. A television is available in the lobby, allowing you to spend more time enjoying the mountain surroundings.

There is no elevator. You need to use stairs to reach every room on the second and third floors. The building does not have a barrier-free room and includes steps that may make access difficult when you use a wheelchair or have limited mobility.

Dining

Dinner is a seasonal Japanese-Western kaiseki-style meal prepared with meat, vegetables, and other ingredients from Shinshu and beyond. The menu changes according to the season and the produce available that day.

A typical dinner includes Shinshu wagyu served as sukiyaki or grilled beef, sashimi, three appetisers, chawanmushi steamed egg custard, miso soup, and dessert. The balance and presentation change throughout the year, so you can experience different flavours during each season.

Breakfast is either a Japanese set meal or a Japanese, Western, and Chinese buffet. The format depends on how many people are staying, so you cannot select the breakfast style in advance.

Meals are served in the 44-seat restaurant. Breakfast runs from 7:30 to 9:00, and dinner runs from 18:00 to 20:00. You select your meal time when you check in.

The self-service bar offers shochu, local Shinshu sake, wine, whisky, sours, draft beer, regional beer, soft drinks, and other choices. It normally opens from 15:30 to 23:00, with final entry at 22:00.

You can reserve accommodation with dinner and breakfast, breakfast only, dinner only, or no meals. A training and group plan with three meals is also available by advance arrangement.

Onsen and Wellness

Soak in milky-white natural water from Norikura Kogen Onsen. The spring is classified as a simple hydrogen-sulfide spring and carries the distinctive mineral scent associated with sulfur-rich mountain water.

The hot spring water flows directly from the source without recirculation. You can experience its natural colour, mineral character, and smooth feeling while looking towards the birch forest.

Separate bathing areas are provided for men and women. Each side includes a large indoor cypress bath and a semi-open-air bath that brings in fresh highland air while keeping you partly sheltered.

You can use the baths from 15:00 to 23:00 and again from 7:00 to 10:00. You can return as often as you like during these hours.

The spring is traditionally associated with easing fatigue and supporting recovery from cuts, high blood pressure, hardening of the arteries, gout, long-term skin concerns, and other conditions listed for the source.

Shampoo, conditioner, body soap, hair dryers, and other bathing items are available. The women’s area also provides cleanser, face wash, lotion, moisturiser, cotton products, and hair ties.

Guests with Tattoos

You cannot use the shared indoor or semi-open-air hot spring baths if you have tattoos.

Facilities

The lobby uses warm wood and provides seating, a television, and space to rest after sightseeing or skiing. Staff can assist with luggage when you arrive, especially because the building does not have an elevator.

A large wood deck faces Mount Norikura and the neighbouring ski area. You can sit outside with a warm drink, watch the slopes, or enjoy the highland air between activities.

The relaxation room includes a table-tennis table and a telescope for looking at the night sky. Norikura’s elevation and limited city light create good conditions for stargazing on clear evenings.

The shop carries local Norikura products, snacks, sweets, drinks, and useful everyday items. Complimentary stations provide hot, cold, and room-temperature water.

The hotel bar serves Shinshu sake, beer, wine, whisky, shochu, cocktails, and soft drinks. The adjoining Yama no Coffee café operates seasonally and closes during winter.

Large and medium banquet spaces support company trips, training stays, lectures, celebrations, and group meals. Wi-Fi and audiovisual equipment can be arranged for organised programmes.

A ski drying room helps you dry clothing, boots, skis, and snowboards during winter. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel.

Activities

Walk for around one minute to Mt. Norikura Snow Resort. The highland ski area offers courses for beginners, families, and experienced skiers, with powder snow and views across the Northern Alps on clear days.

The Norikura Tourist Centre is around two minutes away by car. Buses and taxis leave from this area for Mount Norikura because private cars cannot continue to the upper mountain road.

At Tatamidaira, you can walk among alpine plants, climb towards the mountain summit, and enjoy high-elevation views during the operating season. Weather can change quickly, even in summer.

Ichinose Meadow is around five minutes away by car. Boardwalks and paths cross open grassland, ponds, and birch forest, creating an easy place for walking, cycling, picnics, and seasonal photography.

Sanbondaki is around 20 minutes away by car. Three waterfalls descend into the same valley, creating one of Norikura’s most impressive natural sights. You can also visit Zengoro Falls, Ushidome Pond, and Bandokoro Falls during a highland tour.

For a day in Kamikochi, drive around 20 minutes to the Sawando transfer area and continue by authorised bus or taxi. Inside the protected valley, you can walk beside the Azusa River and visit Taisho Pond, Kappa Bridge, and Myojin.

In winter, you can ski, snowboard, or walk through the snow with snowshoes. During the green season, you can hike, cycle, watch birds, photograph alpine plants, and enjoy the clear night sky through the telescope.

Additional Features

Check-in begins at 15:00, and check-out is by 10:00. Final check-in is normally available until 23:00, although you need to arrive earlier when dinner is included.

The Suzuran-ue bus stop is directly outside. From Shin-Shimashima Station, continue towards Norikura by local bus. The drive from Shin-Shimashima takes around 35 minutes, while the drive from Matsumoto Interchange takes around one hour.

Complimentary first-come parking is available for approximately 12 vehicles. A separate bicycle area accommodates around five bicycles. When the main car park is full, you can use nearby complimentary parking.

Luggage storage is available before check-in and after check-out. You can also leave your vehicle while skiing before your room is ready or after checking out.

For consecutive stays, cleaning and futon storage take place only when you request them by 9:00. A complete cleaning with fresh bed linen is provided every third night.

All rooms are non-smoking, with smoking limited to the designated area.