If you want to enjoy a stay in Shiga Kogen’s Ichinose area that offers more than just a place to sleep,
Olympic Hotel is one to keep an eye on.
Since being taken over from the previous owner in 2022, this hotel has begun a new chapter—and it has an atmosphere that feels a little different from a typical lodging facility.
People gather in the lobby, conversations begin, and encounters unique to travel naturally unfold.
What the hotel aims to be is not simply a place that provides beds and meals, but “a place that enriches the journey itself.”
Behind this vision is President Ishizaka, who changed careers from the securities industry, gained experience operating a ryokan in Shibu Onsen, and relocated from Tokyo to put down roots here.
Drawing on his formative experiences as a backpacker, he is working to bring the excitement of once-in-a-lifetime encounters and the joy of connecting with people at an inn to life in Shiga Kogen’s Ichinose area.
In this article, we introduce the distinctive appeal of Olympic Hotel for anyone considering where to stay in Ichinose, Shiga Kogen.
A Hotel That Made a Fresh Start in Ichinose, Shiga Kogen
Olympic Hotel reached a major turning point in 2022.
The property was purchased from its previous owner, and a new phase of operation began.
Originally, Mr. Ishizaka graduated from university and joined a major securities firm, working on the front lines of the financial business before going on to gain experience in ryokan management in Shibu Onsen.
Having relocated from Tokyo and put the work of running an inn in a tourist destination into practice, he approaches the hotel not merely as a “business,” but with a perspective of growing the inn together with the local community.
Shibu Onsen is well known as a hot spring town, especially for the Snow Monkey Park, which is popular with visitors from overseas.
At the same time, what becomes clear from speaking with Mr. Ishizaka is that in such areas, the focus of the visitor experience can become relatively narrow.
That is why, in Shiga Kogen’s Ichinose area, he places great importance on creating value in a stay that goes beyond skiing alone.
Memories from His Backpacking Days Are the Starting Point for Creating This Hotel
One essential part of Olympic Hotel’s character is President Ishizaka’s own memories of travel.
When he was young, he traveled as a backpacker, staying in dormitories and small inns along the way. What stayed with him was the appeal of places where people naturally connect with one another.
Even without luxurious facilities or elaborate presentation, the time spent talking with people who happened to share the same space on the road can leave a strangely lasting impression.
Exchanging recommendations, laughing about the day’s events—
these once-in-a-lifetime encounters can turn a trip into a special memory.
That is exactly the kind of hotel Mr. Ishizaka wants to create.
Not a hotel that ends at being “a place to sleep,” but a hotel where conversations begin and the experience of staying expands.
This way of thinking fits well with the way many people choose accommodations today.
For travelers who want not only well-equipped facilities, but also the kind of time and atmosphere that can only be experienced in that place, Olympic Hotel’s direction is especially appealing.
The Lobby Takes Center Stage: A Hotel That’s Fun Beyond the Guest Room
One particularly memorable feature of Olympic Hotel is how it uses its lobby space.
The lobby is arranged with plenty of tables and chairs, designed to make it easy for guests to gather naturally.
This is not simply a waiting area.
What President Ishizaka has in mind is “a stay that can be enjoyed outside the guest room.”
The Appeal of the Lobby Space
Guests can naturally meet one another more easily
Conversations are more likely to begin
Solo travelers are less likely to feel isolated
It is easier to connect with international guests
The stay itself gains an added element of “experience”
When we think of hotels, guest rooms often tend to take center stage.
But the memories that remain from a trip are often, surprisingly, the time spent in shared spaces.
A conversation with someone, an unexpected lively moment, the atmosphere of that place.
What makes Olympic Hotel interesting is that it has built that value into the design of the stay from the very beginning.
An International Atmosphere Is One of This Hotel’s Great Charms
Olympic Hotel is also an inn with a high proportion of inbound guests.
As a result, the hotel has an international atmosphere, with travelers of all kinds—Japanese and international alike—coming and going throughout the building.
This is not simply a matter of having many overseas guests.
It is the atmosphere of people enjoying the same place and the same time together, regardless of nationality.
That has become one of the hotel’s distinctive charms.
“Traveler’s Bar Shiga Kogen Tacos Z,” a Popular Winter Favorite
Olympic Hotel has also been home to tacos, one of the winter pleasures guests have come to enjoy.
On a ski trip, attention often centers on how to spend the daytime, but having a place to drop by after skiing can greatly change the impression of a stay.
“Traveler’s Bar Shiga Kogen Tacos Z” is a precious place that satisfies not only travelers’ hearts, but also their appetites. Combining the appeal of a bar with the deliciousness of authentic tacos, its handmade tortillas are thick yet soft, and the richly flavorful fillings soothe the hearts of skiers tired after a day on the slopes.
Although it operates only during the winter season, it has helped shape the atmosphere of the hotel as a place that reflects the lively spirit of winter in Ichinose.
Aiming to Become an Experience-Based Hotel, with Potential Tour Connections
One future feature President Ishizaka is considering is creating pathways to experiences.
For example, he envisions building a system that allows guests to sign up for various tours directly from the hotel, expanding the range of things they can enjoy during their stay.
While Shiga Kogen has a strong image as a ski destination, it is in fact an area with many different attractions, including nature, scenery, walking trails, and seasonal pleasures.
However, because these charms are not yet widely known, attracting guests outside the winter season can be challenging. If the hotel becomes not just a place to sleep, but a gateway to local experiences, the possibilities for travel will expand dramatically.
From “a place to stay” to “a base for the journey”
Olympic Hotel is an inn moving in that direction.
A Desire to Share Shiga Kogen in Spring, Summer, and Autumn
When people think of Ichinose in Shiga Kogen, the ski season naturally leaves a strong impression.
But President Ishizaka wants more people to discover the appeal of the seasons beyond winter.
This is an extremely important perspective.
The gentle air of spring, the coolness of summer, the deepening richness of nature in autumn.
Shiga Kogen is too special a place to be defined only by the snowy season.
One idea mentioned in this context is a summer weight-loss camp.
There has even reportedly been a rather impactful proposal involving refunds tied to results.
Although it is still at the idea stage, this concept clearly reflects President Ishizaka’s personality.
It is a little unique, newsworthy, and interesting as an experience.
It also makes good use of the highland environment.
If projects like this take shape, Olympic Hotel is likely to become even more prominent as an inn that shares enjoyable experiences year-round, not only in winter.
A Place in Ichinose, Shiga Kogen Where People and Travel Connect
The appeal of Olympic Hotel is not limited to the newness of the building or the luxury of its facilities.
What makes this inn interesting is that it has properly turned the space for people to meet one another into part of its charm.
Since new operations began in 2022, President Ishizaka, with his experience in Shibu Onsen, has been aiming to create
an inn with conversation, experiences, and enjoyment beyond the guest room.
Many inbound guests, an atmosphere where people can enjoy themselves regardless of nationality,
exchanges born in the lobby,
and a challenge to share the appeal of Shiga Kogen beyond winter alone.
If you are looking for a hotel in Ichinose, Shiga Kogen that is a little distinctive, a little fun, and likely to stay in your travel memories, Olympic Hotel is highly recommended.
President Ishizaka, thank you very much for taking the time to speak with us.
- 住所：
- 〒381-0401
7149 Hirao, Yamanouchi-machi, Shimotakai-gun, Nagano Prefecture
- 営業時間：
- Check-in 15:00–20:00 / Check-out 7:00–10:00
Enjoy a holiday full of activities amid the great outdoors at an elevation of 1,600 meters.
Shiga Kogen Olympic Hotel is located right in front of Ichinose Family Ski Area!
Relax and soothe your body after a day of winter sports.
Our president is a former securities professional and a true challenger!
TEL:050-5527-6599