Homemade Cooking and Select Ingredients
Homemade Cooking
In each lodge, staff are working hard to provide delicious homemade cooking using a variety of methods to bring out the best flavors from the ingredients. Aiming to bring you a relaxing and delicious experience you can be assured of.
Select Ingredients
Ingredients grown at the lodge owner’s fields at the foot of the mountain are harvested for the customer’s enjoyment. All of the ingredients are selected based on the season.
Soybeans harvested from these fields are used to make homemade miso. It takes two to three years for the miso to fully ferment inside the cool and dark storehouse.
Although not much is harvested, pickled vegetables are made using pickled daikon radish, Nozawana (Japanese leaf vegetable), and eggplants and provided to guests.
Ingredients are bought locally as much as possible. We support local production for local consumption
Soybeans harvested from these fields are used to make homemade miso. It takes two to three years for the miso to fully ferment inside the cool and dark storehouse.
Although not much is harvested, pickled vegetables are made using pickled daikon radish, Nozawana (Japanese leaf vegetable), and eggplants and provided to guests.
Ingredients are bought locally as much as possible. We support local production for local consumption
Using Nagano-produced Koshihikari rice, pork belly, and more.
*At the mountain lodges, food waste is dropped off at the farms and turned into mulch and compost. The compost is used to grow soybeans and other vegetables to be harvested and eaten by everyone at the lodge. This is how we recycle!
Shower, Bath, and Hot Spring
Preparations have been made to provide guests with a comfortable and pleasant experience inside the mountain lodges.
| Iodake Mountain Lodge | Neishidake Mountain Lodge | Natsuzawa Kosen Mountain Lodge | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Available Options | Hot Shower | Bath | Hot Spring |
| Price | 15 min/500 yen | Included in the accommodation charge | Included in the accommodation charge |
| Available Period | Early June – Mid-October | Early June – Mid-October | Available year-round |
Iodake Mountain Lodge
- Available Options
- Hot Shower
- Price
- 15 min/500 yen
- Available Period
- Early June –
Mid-October
Neishidake Mountain Lodge
- Available Options
- Bath
- Price
- Included in the accommodation charge
- Available Period
- Early June –
Mid-October
Natsuzawa Kosen Mountain Lodge
- Available Options
- Bath
- Price
- Included in the accommodation charge
- Available Period
- Available year-round
Guide
- Iodake Mountain Lodge: 4 hot-shower booths (with a changing area), pay at reception. For guests only.
- Neishidake Mountain Lodge: One bath large enough for 2 to 3 adults to fit comfortably inside. Entry to the bath is on a first-come-first-served basis.
- Natsuzawa Kosen Mountain Lodge: Day visitors are also welcome to enter. Waiting may be necessary during busy periods.
1,000 yen (including tax). Also, receive a souvenir towel labeled with Natsuzawa Kosen and tea made with spring water after bathing.
Free Wi-Fi & Card Payments
These two services have been implemented into all three mountain lodges since 2015.
Payments can be made via credit card, smartphone, and other types of digital currency. The transportation-use cards, Suica/ICOCA, may also be used.
Payments can be made via credit card, smartphone, and other types of digital currency. The transportation-use cards, Suica/ICOCA, may also be used.
Bar Counter and
Select Sake
A wide selection of quality sake has been prepared for those who appreciate its taste. Draft beer is of course also available. Furthermore, products from the brewery at the foot of Mt. Yatsugatake are also available. Local sake, local wine, local beer, and more.
Bar counters are available at both Iodake Mountain Lodge and Neishidake Mountain Lodge. Please take a moment to enjoy them!
*Please note that business may open irregularly; we thank you for your understanding.
Bar counters are available at both Iodake Mountain Lodge and Neishidake Mountain Lodge. Please take a moment to enjoy them!
*Please note that business may open irregularly; we thank you for your understanding.
Prices for sake shown in the table below include taxes
| Iodake Mountain Lodge | Neishidake Mountain Lodge | Natsuzawa Kosen Mountain Lodge | Contents | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Draft Beer (Medium) | 900 yen | 900 yen | 800 yen | 500 ml mug |
| Draft Beer (Small) | 700 yen | 700 yen | 600 yen | 350 ml mug |
| Can of Beer | 600 yen | 600 yen | 500 yen | 350 ml can |
| Japanese Sake | 600 yen | 600 yen | 600 yen | 180 ml per serving |
| Japanese Sake | 4000 yen | 4000 yen | 4000 yen | 1,800 ml per serving |
| Wine | 700 yen | 700 yen | 700 yen | 180 ml per serving |
| Wine | 3000 yen | 3000 yen | 3000 yen | 720 ml bottle |
| Shochu | 3000 yen | 3000 yen | 3000 yen | 720 ml bottle |
Iodake Mountain Lodge
- Draft Beer (Medium)
- 900 yen 500 ml mug
- Draft Beer (Small)
- 700 yen 350 ml glass
- Can of Beer
- 600 yen 350 ml can
- Japanese Sake
- 600 yen 180 ml per serving
- Japanese Sake
- 4000 yen 1,800 ml per serving
- Wine
- 700 yen 180 ml per serving
- Wine
- 3000 yen 720 ml bottle
- Shochu
- 3000 yen 720 ml bottle
*At Iodake Mountain Lodge, we also offer our recommended and carefully selected local sake sold by volume.
Neishidake Mountain Lodge
- Draft Beer (Medium)
- 900 yen 500 ml mug
- Draft Beer (Small)
- 700 yen 350 ml glass
- Can of Beer
- 600 yen 350 ml can
- Japanese Sake
- 600 yen 180 ml per serving
- Japanese Sake
- 4000 yen 1,800 ml per serving
- Wine
- 700 yen 180 ml per serving
- Wine
- 3000 yen 720 ml bottle
- Shochu
- 3000 yen 720 ml bottle
Natsuzawa Kosen Mountain Lodge
- Draft Beer (Medium)
- 800 yen 500 ml mug
- Draft Beer (Small)
- 600 yen 350 ml glass
- Can of Beer
- 500 yen 350 ml can
- Japanese Sake
- 600 yen 180 ml per serving
- Japanese Sake
- 4000 yen 1,800 ml per serving
- Wine
- 700 yen 180 ml per serving
- Wine
- 3000 yen 720 ml bottle
- Shochu
- 3000 yen 720 ml bottle
- Since the summer of 2022, 8 Peaks craft beer made at the foot of Mt. Yatsugatake has been available to enjoy at all the mountain lodges.
*Prices for the 8 Peaks draft beer may differ from the prices above. Thank you for your understanding. - At Natsuzawa Kosen Mountain Lodge, you can choose from five different types of draft beer all made by the same manufacturer. (Sold in bottles.)
- Sparkling wine (bottle) is sold at the same price as regular wine.
Pleasant Modern Toilets
Toilets at all three mountain lodges have been updated to flush waste properly and to be more hygienic. But they don’t just flush.
Combined septic tank systems have been installed, and even in alpine areas, both human waste and kitchen wastewater are being treated and discharged.
(Neishidake Mountain Lodge is the only mountain lodge where installing an on-site septic tank would be too difficult, so waste is instead carried away by helicopter.)
Combined septic tank systems have been installed, and even in alpine areas, both human waste and kitchen wastewater are being treated and discharged.
(Neishidake Mountain Lodge is the only mountain lodge where installing an on-site septic tank would be too difficult, so waste is instead carried away by helicopter.)
In 1998, Natsuzawa Kosen Mountain Lodge became the first mountain lodge to install fully functioning toilets in Japan.
In 2002, a fully functioning toilet was installed at Iodake Mountain Lodge at the ridgeline of Mt. Yatsugatake.
*The fully functioning toilets use a definite amount of water to flush human waste into the septic tank, creating little to no smell (not different from toilets used in general households).
| Iodake Mountain Lodge | Neishidake Mountain Lodge | Natsuzawa Kosen Mountain Lodge | Treatment Method | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type of Toilet | Fully functioning toilet: Jun. – mid-Oct Portable toilet: outside the above period | Flushable toilet Portable toilet | Flushable toilet Fully functioning toilet | Septic tank Removal via helicopter (Neishidake Mountain Lodge only) |
| Year of Installation | 2002 | 2010 | 1998 | Facility renewal completed |
Iodake Mountain Lodge
- Type of Toilet
- Fully functioning toilet: Jun. – mid-Oct
Portable toilet: outside the above period - Year of Installation
- 2002
Neishidake Mountain Lodge
- Type of Toilet
- Flushable toilet
Portable toilet - Year of Installation
- 2010
Natsuzawa Kosen Mountain Lodge
- Type of Toilet
- Flushable toilet
Fully functioning toilet - Year of Installation
- 1998
Treatment Method
Septic tank Removal via helicopter (Neishidake Mountain Lodge only)
Facility renewal completed
Facility renewal completed
100% Spring Water
Used at the Mountain Lodges
All three mountain lodges insist on using delicious and hygienic spring water.
Over time, water from the rain and snow slowly seeps through the ground and is collected at the point where it streams out.
Containing natural minerals from Mt. Yatsugatake.
Water used for the bathroom and toilet, as well as for coffee in the café and to cook in the kitchen, is all spring water.
Over time, water from the rain and snow slowly seeps through the ground and is collected at the point where it streams out.
Containing natural minerals from Mt. Yatsugatake.
Water used for the bathroom and toilet, as well as for coffee in the café and to cook in the kitchen, is all spring water.
| Iodake Mountain Lodge | Neishidake Mountain Lodge | Natsuzawa Kosen Mountain Lodge | Water Temperature | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water Collection Location | Source of Jogosawa | Next to the lodge | Above the building | All 4℃ |
| Location/Distance | 140 m difference in elevation/pumped water | 2,550 m elevation | 550 m/drawn water |
Iodake Mountain Lodge
- Water Collection Location
- Source of Jogosawa
- Location/Distance
- 140 m difference in elevation/pumped water
Neishidake Mountain Lodge
- Water Collection Location
- Next to the lodge
- Location/Distance
- 2,550 m elevation
Natsuzawa Kosen Mountain Lodge
- Water Collection Location
- Above the building
- Location/Distance
- 550 m/drawn water
Water Temperature
All 4℃
Free Shuttle Service
(JR Chino Station – Trailhead Entrance)
Attention* Not available for guests staying at Iodake Mountain Lodge.
Available only for guests who are not arriving by car. This free service is for guests staying at a lodge only. This shuttle service to the trailhead (Sakuradaira Gate) is really convenient for those using an Iodake Sanso Group lodge.
This service began due to a lack of taxi services and no bus routes being available.
- AShuttle Service Route: JR Chino Station East Exit – Trailhead (Sakuradaira Gate)
- BRegarding the Waiting Area Location (East Exit) for JR Chino StationAbout 20–30 m past the taxi pickup area, located at the bottom of the east exit stairs, is a bench used for shuttle services. Please wait around this area. Our staff will greet you upon arrival. The east exit is on the side of Mt. Yatsugatake, and a steam locomotive is on display at the roundabout.
- CShuttle Service Scheduled Departure Time from Chino Station and the Connecting JR Station Scheduled Times (the Afternoon Service Is Only for Guests Staying at Natsuzawa Kosen Mountain Lodge)Morning Service Departure at 9:15Ride the Limited Express Azusa No. 1 departing from Shinjuku at 7:00
– arriving at Chino Station at 9:07
(Riding the Limited Express Shinano No. 1 departing from Nagoya at 7:00 and then transferring to a local train at Shiojiri Station to arrive at Chino Station at 9:28 is also possible)Afternoon Service Departure at 15:30Ride the Limited Express Azusa No. 25 departing from Shinjuku at 13:00
– arriving at Chino Station at 15:06 - DShuttle Service Scheduled Departure Time from Sakuradaira Gate and the Scheduled Arrival Time at Chino StationMorning Service Departure at 8:00Estimated arrival time at Chino Station: 9:00Afternoon Service Departure at 14:30Estimated arrival time at Chino Station: 15:30
Please ride the Limited Express Azusa No. 44 departing from Chino Station at 16:20 or any other train departing after.
(Depending on traffic conditions, it’s possible to not make it in time for the Limited Express Azusa No. 42 departing from Chino Station at 15:42)
- Attention
- ① Only guests may use this service. Please check the following below.
② The time schedule is finalized.
③ There is a maximum capacity (there’s a limited number of vehicles and drivers). The capacity will change depending on the schedule.
④ A booking in advance is necessary.
⑤ Collections are made not just from Chino Station but also at the junction (Sakuradaira and Karasawa Kosen) and Sakuradaira Lower Parking Lot. More details can be found on the Natsuzawa Kosen access/shuttle service page.
| Iodake Mountain Lodge | Neishidake Mountain Lodge | Natsuzawa Kosen Mountain Lodge | Shuttle Service Route Estimated Departure and Arrival Times | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pick-up | Morning Service | No Service | Partial Service During Spring, Summer, and Fall (Weekdays Only) Regular Service Available During Winter | Regular Service Available Throughout the Year | Departing from the East Exit at 9:15 – Arriving at Sakuradaira Gate at 10:15 |
| Afternoon Service | No Service | No Service | Regular Service Available Throughout the Year | Departing from the East Exit at 15:30 – Arriving at Sakuradaira Gate at 16:30 | |
| Drop-off | Morning Service | No Service | No Service | Regular Service Available Throughout the Year | Departing from Sakuradaira Gate at 8:00 – Arriving at the East Exit at 9:00 |
| Afternoon Service | No Service | Regular Service Available During Winter Only | Regular Service Available Throughout the Year | Departing from Sakuradaira Gate at 14:30 – Arriving at the East Exit at 15:30 | |
Iodake Mountain Lodge
- Pick-up
- (Morning Service) No Service
- (Afternoon Service) No Service
- Drop-off
- (Morning Service) No Service
- (Afternoon Service) No Service
Neishidake Mountain Lodge
- Pick-up
- (Morning Service) Partial Service During Spring, Summer, and Fall (Weekdays Only)/Regular Service Available During Winter
- (Afternoon Service) No Service
- Drop-off
- (Morning Service) No Service
- (Afternoon Service) Regular Service Available During Winter Only
Natsuzawa Kosen Mountain Lodge
- Pick-up
- (Morning Service) Regular Service Available Throughout the Year
- (Afternoon Service) Regular Service Available Throughout the Year
- Drop-off
- (Morning Service) Regular Service Available Throughout the Year
- (Afternoon Service) Regular Service Available Throughout the Year
Approx. Departure/Arrival Times
- Pick-up
- (Morning Service)
Departing from the East Exit at 9:15 – Arriving at Sakuradaira Gate at 10:15 - (Afternoon Service)
Departing from the East Exit at 15:30 – Arriving at Sakuradaira Gate at 16:30 - Drop-off
- (Morning Service)
Departing from Sakuradaira Gate at 8:00 – Arriving at the East Exit at 9:00 - (Afternoon Service)
Departing from Sakuradaira Gate at 14:30 – Arriving at the East Exit at 15:30
- These times are averages and may differ depending on road and traffic conditions.
- During winter, the arrival of the pick-up service may be 30 min late, and the departure of the drop-off service may be 30 min early, depending on the amount of fallen snow. In the event of this occurring, we will make an announcement in advance.
- The shuttle service operates with safety as the highest priority. Especially in winter, sudden snowfall may occur, and roads may be frozen to dangerous levels; during these times, it will be too difficult for the shuttle bus to travel to Sakuradaira Gate and will instead only provide shuttle services partway. We appreciate your understanding.
- During the off-season, on rare occasions, services may be available on days other than days listed above with “Regular Service” and “Partial Service.” Announcements will be made on the blog only.
