Skip to Main Content.
List your propertySupportTrips
Unlock instant savings with Member Prices
Sign in
Feedback

Villa Alpen

3.0 star property
Ski lodge with ski-in/ski-out access and free local area shuttle

Choose dates to view prices

Photo gallery for Villa Alpen

Exterior
Desk, free WiFi, bed sheets
Bar (on property)
Bar (on property)
Reception
Villa Alpen, at the base of Shiga Kogen Ski Area, welcomes guests with an indoor public bath and playground. Skiers enjoy ski-in/ski-out access, free ski shuttle, and equipment rentals. Practical amenities include in-room WiFi and laundry facilities for winter sports enthusiasts.

Reviews

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful

Popular amenities

  • Bar
  • 24/7 front desk
  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Air conditioning
  • Parking included

Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 3 of 3 rooms

View all photos for Western Japanese Room or Japanese Style Room (Bed)(w/ Toilet, w/o TV)

Desk, free WiFi, bed sheets

Western Japanese Room or Japanese Style Room (Bed)(w/ Toilet, w/o TV)

Highlights

Air conditioning
TV
Desk
Daily housekeeping
  • 191 sq ft
  • Sleeps 3
  • 2 Twin Beds and 1 Twin Futon

View all photos for Family Room, Non Smoking (Japanese Style, w/ Toilet, w/o TV)

Desk, free WiFi, bed sheets

Family Room, Non Smoking (Japanese Style, w/ Toilet, w/o TV)

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)

Highlights

Air conditioning
Down duvet
Desk
Daily housekeeping
  • 256 sq ft
  • Mountain view
  • Sleeps 4
  • 4 Twin Futons

View all photos for Family Quadruple Room, Non Smoking (Western Japanese, w/ Toilet, w/o TV)

Desk, free WiFi, bed sheets

Family Quadruple Room, Non Smoking (Western Japanese, w/ Toilet, w/o TV)

Highlights

Air conditioning
TV
Desk
Daily housekeeping
  • 256 sq ft
  • Mountain view
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 Double Bed, 1 Twin Bed and 1 Twin Futon
Mod logo
Sign in to view eligible discounts and perks. More rewards for more adventures!
Sign inSign up, it's free

About the area

Map
7148 Hirao, Yamanouchi-cho, Sun Valley, Shiga Plateau, Yamanouchi, Nagano-ken, 381-0401

What's nearby

  • Maruike Ski Area - 1 min walk - 0.0 km
  • Shiga Kogen Ski Area - 1 min walk - 0.1 km
  • Shibu - 5 min drive - 5.6 km
  • Yudanaka Hot Spring - 8 min drive - 8.9 km
  • Jigokudani Monkey Park - 16 min drive - 8.2 km

Getting around

  • Yudanaka Station - 22 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪猿座カフェ (ENZA Cafe) - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪山ノ内大勝軒 - ‬14 min walk
  • ‪SHIGA BASE - ‬14 min walk
  • ‪The Farmhouse - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪レストラン ベル・ドール - ‬6 min drive

About this property

Villa Alpen

Lodge near Shiga Kogen Ski Area
You can look forward to an indoor public bath (no minerals), a coffee shop/cafe and a playground at Villa Alpen. Skiers and snowboarders can spend time on the slopes at this lodge, which offers ski-in/ski-out access, a free ski shuttle and ski equipment hire. Free in-room WiFi is available to all guests, along with laundry facilities and a fireplace in reception.
You'll also enjoy the following perks during your stay:
  • Free self-parking and extended parking
  • A free local area shuttle, a TV in reception and tour/ticket information
  • Multilingual staff, smoke-free property and a gift shop
Room features
All guest rooms at Villa Alpen have comforts, such as air conditioning, as well as
Other conveniences in all rooms include:
  • Daily housekeeping, desks and phones

Similar properties

Porch

Hotel Takimoto

  • All-inclusive
  • Parking included
  • Free WiFi
  • Restaurant
9.8 out of 10, Exceptional, 6 reviews
Hotel Takimoto

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Free area shuttle
  • Free ski shuttle
  • Free extended parking on site
  • Free RV/bus/lorry parking on site
  • Limited on-site parking

Food and drink

  • A bar/lounge
  • A coffee shop/cafe
  • A restaurant

Things to do

  • Playground
  • Ski equipment rentals
  • Ski storage
  • Ski-in/ski-out access
  • TV in common areas

Family friendly

  • Free area shuttle
  • Laundry facilities
  • Playground

Conveniences

  • 24-hour front desk
  • Gift shop/newsstand
  • Laundry facilities
  • Luggage storage

Guest services

  • Housekeeping (daily)
  • Multilingual staff
  • Tour and ticket assistance

Business services

  • Computer station
  • Meeting room

Spa

  • Public indoor bath (no minerals)

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Handrails in hallways
  • Lift
  • Stair-free path to entrance
  • Valet for wheelchair-equipped vehicles
  • Well-lit path to entrance
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
  • Wheelchair-accessible path of travel
  • Wheelchair-accessible path to lift
  • Wheelchair-accessible registration desk
  • Wheelchair-accessible restaurant
  • Wheelchairs on site

More

  • Fireplace in lobby
  • Smoke-free property
  • Vegetarian dining options

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries
  • Hair dryer (on request)
  • Private or shared bathroom
  • Slippers
  • Towels provided

More

  • Air conditioning
  • Desk
  • Phone

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 3 PM; check-in end time: 6 PM
Late check-in subject to availability

Check-out

Check-out before 10 AM

Special check-in instructions

Guests must contact the property in advance for check-in instructions; front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property at least 24 hours before arrival using the information on the booking confirmation
If you are planning to arrive after 6 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation
Vegetarian dinner options are available for guests booked in Half Board rate plans. Additional fees of JPY 1,200 apply for vegetarian options and guests must contact the property 2 weeks prior to arrival to request this dinner.
This property is unable to accommodate dietary restrictions, including gluten-free diets.

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

Pets not allowed (service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees)

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are not available.
Cots (infant beds) are not available

Payment types at the property

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
The name on the credit card used at check-in to pay for incidentals must be the primary name on the guestroom reservation
This property accepts credit cards
Noise-free guestrooms cannot be guaranteed

We should mention

Only registered guests are allowed in the guestrooms
The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare requires all international visitors to submit their passport number and nationality when registering at any lodging facility (inns, hotels, motels, etc. ); additionally, lodging proprietors are required to photocopy passports for all registering guests and keep the photocopy on file
Please note that some properties do not permit guests with tattoos to use the on-site public bathing facilities

Property is also known as

Villa Alpen Hotel Yamanouchi
Villa Alpen Hotel
Villa Alpen Yamanouchi
Villa Alpen
Villa Alpen Japan/Yamanouchi-Machi, Nagano Prefecture
Villa Alpen Lodge Yamanouchi
Villa Alpen Lodge
Villa Alpen Lodge
Villa Alpen Yamanouchi
Villa Alpen Lodge Yamanouchi

Frequently asked questions

Is Villa Alpen pet-friendly?

No, only service animals are welcome at the property.

How much is parking at Villa Alpen?

Self-parking and extended parking are free at this property.

What time is check-in at Villa Alpen?

Check-in start time: 3 PM; check-in end time: 6 PM. Late check-in is available during limited hours.

What time is check-out at Villa Alpen?

Checkout is at 10 AM.

Where is Villa Alpen located?

Set amidst the mountains, this ski-in/ski-out lodge in Shiga Highlands is within a 5-minute walk of Maruike Ski Area and Hasuike Ski Area, and is convenient for winter sports, such as skiing lessons and snowshoeing. Shiga Kogen Ski Area is steps away.

Have a question?

AI iconBeta

Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.

Reviews

Villa Alpen Reviews

9.2

Wonderful

8.6

Cleanliness

8.6

Location

9.8

Staff & service

9.2

Eco-friendliness

7.8

Property conditions & facilities
Rating 10 - Excellent. 24 out of 38 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 10 out of 38 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 4 out of 38 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 38 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 38 reviews

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Veronica

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort

Sun Valley Shiga Kogen

In the middle of extraordinary mountains, a ski-in hotel . All the staff speaks English and a bit of French.Everybody was super kind and nice.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2024

8/10 Good

Khloe

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Villa Alpen was like a home away from home. A lovely welcoming family run older traditional hotel. The hosts could not do enough to help through out our stay. Meals were wonderful and plentiful. The cosy fire place where guests gather and relax in the evenings is wonderful place to meet fellow guests and share stories.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lisa

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Everything needed for a ski holiday in one spot

Convenient base from which to explore the various ski resorts of Shiga Kogen. Sun Valley is one of the first areas you approach from Nagano, so arrival by bus from Nagano station was quick and easy (a 3+- min walk from the stop on the highway.). Sun Valley's chairlift is right outside the front door, from there we were able to piece together the chair/gondola lifts to make it to all the other resorts too (1.75 hrs skiing & lifts to Okushiga Kogen.) Communal bath was a highlight, indoor only but with big windows overlooking the forest outside. Loved their bar/breakfast area when open, and the dinners we had each night were great - Japanese style with a variety of foods even picky eaters looked satisfied. Thanks to the Captain and entire staff for making us feel well taken care of :-).
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

luke

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
My stay was amazing, our host made a point to ask how the day went and what plans we had to see if he could help in anyway! Great location for getting in some laps at the ski resort
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Alexander

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The staff was lovely and went out of their way to make you feel welcome. They dinner and breakfast for half-biard was excellent.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

asia

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Wonderful staff at villa alpen. Food was excellent and Onsen was hot. Easy access to sun valley and a quick couple chairlifts and traverses to the other hills. 30 seconds to chairlift and 2 minute walk to the free ski bus.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2025

8/10 Good

Mark

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nice place to stay with great staff, onsen and food. No other options for food locally
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Thomas

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Friendly fun ski lodge

Great fun hotel. The Captain who owns the place is an 80 year old Japanese Olympic ski racer and full of interesting stories and enthusiasm for skiing and the mountains. His son Ken is also a good and enthusiastic skier. Everyone speaks great english. Dinner was excellent and included the best fried chicken my 12 year old son has EVER had. Breakfast good too. There is a pleasant bar on site open until 10 pm. The hotel is genuine ski in ski out and about 15s ski to the lift. My kids borrowed sledges for free too. There is a ski rental downstairs run by the same family which we didnt use but others said was great.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2024

8/10 Good

Peter

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
The family running this are the most pleasant and helpful I have found in Japan. Further the staff all speak English well.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tom

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The family that runs Villa Alpen is wonderful and make you feel right at home. The onsen was amazing and perfect for post-powder day rehab of the muscles! It is a simple, older property (as many are throughout the region) but very well kept. Like a lot of Shiga Kogen villages, there is no (or limited) resaurant options, especially for dinner Thus recommend going with with hotel provided breakfast and lunch. If you plan to use shuttle service between villages, pay close attention to the schedule as last one runs around 6:30pm (depending where you are) and there are no taxis. The skiing was top notch at Yakebitai and Osokogen. Helped that they got a ton of snow when i arrived ; ) Was very hard to leave and miss another poweder day after 1 foot fell the morning I left. : ( Highly recommend staying a few days minimum and explore all the ski areas.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Yoko

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

落ち着いた癒される宿です

到着から出発まで、宿の方の温かいおもてなしの気持ちが伝わり、ゆったりと落ち着いて過ごせました。建物は古いですが、その古さが落ち着きあり癒される素敵な空間になってます。綺麗に清掃されてあり清潔です。 料理も手作りで程よく美味しくいただきました。
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Highly recommended

We stayed for 5 nights and we ski out using the sun valley chairlift just outside the hotel. Captain, Ken and the staff are very friendly and willing to help. The food is great and there is a very relaxing bar area as well.
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jonathan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Staff was great and ver accommodating. Ski rentals were found at hotel facility.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Quel accueil ! Un hôtel familial, vous serez reçus comme des rois par le “Captain”, sa famille et son staff ... Toujours prêts à vous rendre service, l’équipe vous fera vous sentir comme à la maison. La situation aux pieds des pistes et à côté des arrêts de bus est idéal. ありがとう (ございます)
Stayed 9 nights in Feb 2020

10/10 Excellent

Johnny

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Out of the extraordinary

One of the most family-kind-of experiences! fantastic service, friendly staff, great food, and great facilities - only 50 meter to the ski lift
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2019

10/10 Excellent

Fitty, Hong Kong

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

just beside Sun Valley Chair Lift

Very warm and tidy hotel, Captain, Ken and the family members are all very nice and they are all very good ski instructors, very warm and good to stay.
Stayed 6 nights in Jan 2018

8/10 Good

fitty, Hong Kong

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort

The hotel just beside sun valley chair lift

We have a very good time while staying at this hotel, this is a family run hotel and Captain and Ken are both ski expert. They just like our friends and family and we have a very good time here. Hotel room not new but very clean and the breadfast and dinner are good too.
Stayed 6 nights in Jan 2018

8/10 Good

Ripman , Hong Kong

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

A recommendable hotel

Villa Alpen is located in Sun Valley area, the most West-end of the Shiga Kogen skiing fields, connected to other fields by charge-free shuttle busses. There are a number of selling points for Villa Alpen, 1)it is a small but cosy place, a family running hotel. Captain Nobody Okazawa sang, the owner, his wife and son, Ken, are all very kind and helpful person. You will feel very comfortable with them. 2) you can rent any skiing or snow boarding equipment from the hotel but without caring for rental and storage troubles. 3) about 50 meters to a Monkey Swing from the hotel, very convenient to get start a fun. 4) even the room site is not space as expected but a tatami area is very suitable for a family living. 5)with a build-in onsen(hot spring), very convenient and comfortable for a recovery day-activity-after. 6)and, we would like to say many thanks to Ken for him always try to help us in traffic arrangements and fields instructions. Totally, a very good memory to us when a week vacation there.
Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2017

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Warm retreat in sun valley shiga kogen

Well worn but comfortable lodge. Some may find facility not modern but it actually has its own atmosphere which is centred around the warmth of the family and staff that run villa alpen.

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Staff & service

Location

We stayed in a family room for 5 nights, the room is ok need to update. Great location for skiing, plenty snow and we hired our ski gears at the Alpen, professionally fitted, very friendly staff & helpful.

10/10 Excellent

Hanne Lodberg, Danmark

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Helt fantastisk service

Hotelservice topkvalitet. Ejeren også kaldet Captain er hel utrolig hjælpsom, han gør alt for, at sine gæster føler sig godt tilpas. Taler engelsk og er behjælpelig med ture i området. Vi følte os meget velkommen. Vi var ikke kommet for at stå på ski. Vi lejede ski sko og gik skønne ture og besøgte abe parken. Ellers Suveræn ski sport sted. Herlig Onsen på hotellet, hyggelig bar og dejlig mad. At hotellet var lidt slidt havde kun sin charme, alt det andet får top karakter.

6/10 Okay

PearlF, Singapore

Liked: Staff & service

Close to great ski slopes

It's a family owned hotel so service is very personalised and friendly. They helped us to arrange for taxi pick-up from Narita airport to ski lodge, gave us guidance on bus schedules and monkey park operating hours etc. Real ski-in/ski-out resort and we managed to get english speaking ski-instructors. Breakfast spread is simple but adequate and dinner is good. We stayed in the family room so it was basic but comfortable considering we had to sleep on futons. The room had great view of the ski slopes and surrounding mountains. Only wish that the rooms had internet connection. Wi-fi connection in the public area was poor.

10/10 Excellent

Shaun, Australia

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Close to lifts

Was an excellent location to lifts and bus stops staff where very helpful and friendly and the Captain is a really good host!

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Great Hotel

Great hotel. Family Atmosphere. Not flash or fancy but very servicable. Staff were fantastic! Very friendly and helpful. Hotel in great location right next to lift. Quiet location ideal for families.

8/10 Good

Michael

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
I loved the small village that Villa Alpen was in! The service was excellent and the staff were very helpful and friendly and for an old hotel/lodge it was in pretty good shape. I was in a room with no shower which I can't recall being made aware of at the time of booking, but that wasn't a big deal. I pretty much used it as an overnight stay to visit the snow monkeys but wouldn't hesitate in going back for a ski trip!