7148 Hirao, Yamanouchi-cho, Sun Valley, Shiga Plateau, Yamanouchi, Nagano-ken, 381-0401
What's nearby
Maruike Ski Area - 1 min walk
Shiga Kogen Ski Area - 1 min drive
Shibu - 8 min drive
Yudanaka Hot Spring - 11 min drive
Jigokudani Monkey Park - 14 min drive
Getting around
Yudanaka Station - 22 min drive
Zenkojishita Station - 38 min drive
Restaurants
Shiga Base - 14 min walk
中国料理獅子 - 8 min drive
猿座株式会社 まちノベイト - 9 min drive
横手山レストハウス - 5 min drive
The Farmhouse - 10 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 offering ski-in/ski-out access, a free ski shuttle, and ski equipment rentals. Free in-room WiFi is available to all guests, along with laundry facilities and a fireplace in the lobby.
You'll also enjoy the following perks during your stay:
Free self parking and extended parking
A free area shuttle, an elevator, and multilingual staff
A 24-hour front desk, 1 meeting room, and tour/ticket assistance
Room features
All guestrooms at Villa Alpen feature comforts such as air conditioning, as well as amenities like free WiFi.
Other conveniences in all rooms include:
Daily housekeeping, desks, and phones
Languages
English, Japanese
Property amenities
Spa
Indoor public bath (no minerals)
Policies
Check-in
Check-in start time: 3 PM; Check-in end time: 6 PM
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
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
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
Cribs (infant beds) are not available
Property payment types
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 onsite public bathing facilities
Property is also known as
Villa Alpen
Villa Alpen Hotel
Villa Alpen Hotel Yamanouchi
Villa Alpen Yamanouchi
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.
What time is check-out at Villa Alpen?
Check-out 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 close to winter sports such as skiing lessons and snowshoeing. Shiga Kogen Ski Area is steps away.
Villa Alpen Reviews
Reviews
9.2
Wonderful
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travelers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
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.
Thomas
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2024
8/10 Good
Peter
18 March 2024
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.
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.
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.
Khloe
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024
10/10 Excellent
Veronica
8 February 2024
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.
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.
Verified traveler
8/10 Good
Verified traveler
2 January 2017
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.
Verified traveler
6/10 Okay
PearlF, Singapore
6 January 2014
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.
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.
Verified traveler
8/10 Good
Michael
28 February 2013
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!
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.
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)
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.
Fitty
Stayed 6 nights in Jan 2018
8/10 Good
fitty, Hong Kong
14 January 2018
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.