Located in Shiga Kogen’s Ichinose area, just a one-minute walk from the slopes, Hotel Sanraku is an inn where guests can enjoy the nature of Shiga Kogen throughout the seasons—skiing and snowboarding in winter, hiking and trekking in spring and summer, and autumn foliage in fall.
Founded in 1964,
Hotel Sanraku began as a wooden building and is also a long-established inn that remembers the days when Ichinose was filled with the excitement of skiing.
There was a time when around 100 buses arrived every day, several students stayed together in a 10-tatami-mat room, and guests would even say, “I don’t mind sleeping in the hallway—just let me stay.”
The second-generation owner helped support that bustling era, while the third generation is now exploring what the inn should become in the years ahead.
Today, Hotel Sanraku is not aiming to be an inn that simply accommodates as many guests as possible.
It wants guests to feel at ease in the lobby, sense sincerity in the meals, rest their bodies in the bath, and feel warmth in the distance between themselves and the staff.
By layering these small moments of comfort, the hotel is working to raise the quality of each stay.
For this article, we spoke with Hotel Sanraku about its history, memories of the ski boom, the thinking behind its front desk renovation, and how the inn is shaping itself for the next era.
Founded in 1964: Hotel Sanraku Began as a Wooden Building
Hotel Sanraku was founded in 1964.
It began as a wooden building.
Today, the Ichinose area is known as one of Shiga Kogen’s main bases for accommodation, with hotels and lodgings gathered together. But when Hotel Sanraku first began its journey, Ichinose had a completely different atmosphere from what it has today.
Japan as a whole was in the midst of rapid economic growth, and skiing was becoming one of the leisure activities that symbolized the era. Many skiers came to Shiga Kogen, and the inns of Ichinose became places that absorbed that energy.
The second-generation owner became president at around the age of 45.
From there, he supported Hotel Sanraku for roughly 30 years.
As the number of people enjoying skiing grew rapidly, large groups of guests came to the inn. What was required of accommodations above all was the ability to receive people.
Welcoming many guests, preparing meals, having them use the bath, and sending them back out to the slopes the next morning.
Through that repeated rhythm, Hotel Sanraku built its foundation as an inn in Ichinose.
One Hundred Buses a Day: Supporting the Energy of the Ski Boom
One of the most striking parts of Hotel Sanraku’s history is the story of the ski boom.
At the time, there were days when around 100 buses would come into Ichinose.
From the perspective of travel today, the scale alone feels almost overwhelming to imagine.
Large numbers of guests would arrive at once, eat, bathe, and head back to the slopes the next morning. For those working at the inn, a major challenge was how to manage that constant flow.
There were also days when eight people would stay in a single 10-tatami-mat room.
Around 1968, demand was apparently so high that even when the rooms were full, people would ask, “Could you let me sleep in the hallway?”
That was how much momentum skiing in Shiga Kogen had at the time.
Still, an inn cannot continue by simply accepting large numbers of people.
Precisely because so many guests were being welcomed, it was also necessary to think about how to make their stay even a little more comfortable.
Hotel Sanraku is said to have been ahead of its time in offering a system that allowed guests to bathe 24 hours a day.
Being able to soothe a tired body in the bath whenever guests wished after skiing was a major effort focused on guest comfort.
Even in an era of mass accommodation, the hotel was not satisfied with merely giving people a place to sleep; it thought about how guests could spend their time comfortably.
That attitude has been carried forward into Hotel Sanraku today.
Memories of the Nagano Olympics and the Changes Felt Afterwards
The 1998 Nagano Olympics were a major event for Shiga Kogen and for Hotel Sanraku.
At the time, Hotel Sanraku also accommodated broadcasting crews and tournament officials. The memory remains of the entire region coming together and working hard to support a major international event.
It was a time when the inns of Ichinose, the local community, and everyone involved in skiing were moving toward a shared goal.
At the same time, by the time of the Olympics, there was already a sense that the era was beginning to shift.
The momentum of the ski boom could not last forever.
There had been a time when bank loans were easier to obtain and investments in inns were easier to make. But after the collapse of the bubble economy, and then after the Nagano Olympics, it became increasingly difficult to continue making large-scale investments as before.
Within that shift, what guests expected from an inn also began to change.
From accepting large numbers of guests at once to raising the satisfaction of each individual guest.
From operations centered mainly on student groups to an inn also chosen by individual travelers.
Hotel Sanraku’s current challenge lies beyond that change in the times.
The Third Generation’s Vision: Becoming an Inn Chosen by Individual Guests
To talk about Hotel Sanraku today, the presence of the third generation is essential.
While inheriting the inn that the second generation supported for many years, the third generation is not simply aiming to continue along the same path as before.
The major theme is becoming an inn chosen by individual guests.
Of course, student groups and training camp guests remain important.
However, there are also challenges in welcoming student groups and general individual travelers in the same space. The way they want to spend their time, the amount of food they need, the level of quiet they expect, and the way they use shared spaces can all differ.
Looking ahead, the third generation sees Hotel Sanraku moving toward gaining more individual guests.
The reason is not simply that they want to change the guest demographic.
It is because individual guests are the ones who most clearly return appreciation for the effort the inn puts in.
Improving the space, refining the meals, enhancing hospitality, and paying closer attention to the guest rooms—each of these efforts connects to guest satisfaction and repeat visits.
In other words, aiming to become an inn chosen by individual travelers is also a way for Hotel Sanraku to build the value of the inn through its own efforts.
Five Years at Hoshino Resorts Became a Foundation for Creating the Inn
The third generation previously spent five years working at Hoshino Resorts.
When he was unsure about his job search, he thought, “If I’m going to learn, I might as well learn from one of the best in the industry,” and decided to join Hoshino Resorts.
What he gained there was not limited to hospitality experience.
How to present food.
Housekeeping operations.
Front desk operations.
How to use space.
How to create points of contact with guests.
The impression an inn leaves is not determined only by luxurious facilities.
A single plating detail, the way light enters the lobby, the staff being visible in the right place, and the cleanliness of the space—these details accumulate and shape the satisfaction of the entire stay.
The third generation brought that sensibility back to Hotel Sanraku and has been gradually incorporating it into the inn.
At the same time, changing a long-established inn is not easy.
There are times when opinions differ with the proprietress.
Even so, the president is said to have a flexible mindset and accepts change in a constructive way, moving forward through discussion rather than rejection.
An inn passed down through generations has things that must be preserved.
But in order to preserve them, there are also things that must change.
The current changes at Hotel Sanraku seem to be moving forward while carefully discerning both sides.
The Front Desk Renovated Last Year Has Become the New Face of the Inn
The space that best symbolizes Hotel Sanraku’s transformation is the front desk and lobby area renovated last year.
It is the first place guests encounter when they arrive.
The place where they check in.
The place where their mood shifts from the outside world into the inn.
The front desk is an important space that shapes the first impression of the inn.
This renovation was not simply about making the reception area look nicer. It expresses the atmosphere Hotel Sanraku wants to value going forward.
An ambiance that works naturally with both Japanese and Western dining.
A design that lets guests feel the outside light and the nature of Shiga Kogen even while indoors.
A counter that creates opportunities for communication with guests.
A layout that gives guests reassurance by allowing them to sense the presence of staff at any time.
The goal was to create a place where human connection can be felt.
The lobby and front desk are not merely places to pass through.
Guests exchange words at check-in. They talk about the weather and the slopes. They ask for recommendations on how to spend their time. They rest for a while in the lounge.
These small points of contact gradually shape the impression of the inn.
The space, created together with a design office that also handles interior and furniture styling, reflects Hotel Sanraku’s intention to move toward the next era.
From Quantity to Quality: The Major Shift Hotel Sanraku Is Making
One idea from the second-generation owner that left a strong impression was the shift “from mass-production numbers to quality.”
During the ski boom, what inns were expected to provide was overwhelming capacity.
Put simply, they had to accommodate as many people as possible, feed them, let them bathe, and keep operations running.
Today, however, the values around travel have changed.
Guests are not only looking for a place to stay; they care about what kind of time they can spend there.
Can they relax in the room?
Is the lobby comfortable?
Are the meals satisfying?
Does the distance with the staff feel pleasant?
Is the space clean?
Will they want to come back?
Hotel Sanraku is working to improve the quality of each of these elements.
Going forward, the hotel hopes to renovate guest rooms little by little as well.
By placing more care into the rooms and raising the quality of the entire inn, the hotel ultimately aims to increase its unit price as well.
This is not simply a pricing strategy.
It means becoming an inn that offers guests a better stay and provides value worthy of that price.
Because Hotel Sanraku knows the era of quantity, it understands the importance of quality.
The hotel now stands precisely at that turning point.
Meals Are Also Moving from “Volume First” to “Quality First”
The changes at Hotel Sanraku are also reflected in its meals.
There was once a time when volume was the priority.
Especially for guests visiting for skiing or training camps, being able to eat plenty was an important value.
Today, however, simply serving a large amount of food does not necessarily lead to satisfaction.
That is why Hotel Sanraku is also shifting its meals from “volume first” to “quality first.”
What stood out in this conversation was the attitude of the grandfather and mother who work in the kitchen.
They want to avoid using ready-made products as much as possible.
They want to value wild vegetables gathered from the mountains and ingredients that let guests feel the nature of the region.
They want to use things such as honey that carry the warmth of the land and of handwork.
At the same time, there were apparently times in the past when these carefully chosen ingredients were served in large heaps.
Even though the ingredients themselves were thoughtfully selected, their value did not fully come through in the presentation.
That is a real shame.
The sense of “presentation” that the third generation learned at Hoshino Resorts is also coming into play here.
Even with the same ingredients, how should they be plated?
What kind of dish should they be served on?
In what order should they be served?
What explanation should accompany them?
Those details alone can make a dish look far more appealing.
Hotel Sanraku’s meals are not aiming merely to look luxurious.
The goal is to present carefully prepared food, flavors that reflect the land, and tastes the family has long cherished in a way that properly communicates their value.
That change symbolizes Hotel Sanraku’s broader movement from quantity to quality.
The Relaxation of a Hot Spring Inn: Time to Rest After a Day Outdoors
Hotel Sanraku is also an inn where guests can rest their bodies after enjoying the nature of Shiga Kogen.
On its official website, the hotel is introduced as a place where guests can enjoy skiing and snowboarding in winter thanks to its location just one minute from the slopes, hiking and trekking in spring and summer, and autumn foliage in fall.
On Rakuten Travel, it is also listed as a hot spring inn standing in the deeply clear landscape of Shiga Kogen, highlighting its one-minute walk to the ski area and its artificial hot spring—the only one of its kind in Shiga Kogen—where guests can soothe their fatigue.
Travel information sites for visitors to Japan also describe the bath as a warming artificial hot spring with a jacuzzi that helps relax tired bodies.
After moving your body all day skiing or snowboarding.
After walking through highland nature on a trek.
After spending the day surrounded by autumn colors.
Returning to the inn, taking a bath, and warming the body—
that time of relaxation is an essential part of a highland journey.
The idea of 24-hour bathing that Hotel Sanraku has long valued also fits closely with the way guests spend their time here.
Just One Minute on Foot to the Slopes: An Ideal Location for Winter in Ichinose
One of Hotel Sanraku’s major attractions is its location.
Its official website introduces the hotel as being just a one-minute walk from the slopes in winter.
Travel information sites for visitors to Japan also list it as an inn where guests can fully enjoy Ichinose Family Ski Area, just one minute on foot from the slopes.
For ski and snowboard trips, this closeness has real value.
You can get ready in the morning and head straight to the slopes.
When you are tired from skiing, you can return to the inn easily.
You can move flexibly according to the weather and snow conditions.
You can reduce the hassle of carrying luggage and gear.
Especially for families, groups, and first-time visitors to Shiga Kogen, staying close to the slopes brings peace of mind.
Shiga Kogen is home to multiple ski areas.
Ichinose Family, Ichinose Diamond, Tannenomori Okojo, Takamagahara Mammoth, Terakoya, Yakebitaiyama, and others each offer slopes with their own character, which is part of Shiga Kogen’s appeal.
Among them, Ichinose is a central area that combines ease of movement with ease of staying.
Hotel Sanraku is an inn that supports winter travel in this Ichinose area.
In Spring, Summer, and Autumn, It Becomes a Base for Hiking, Trekking, and Fall Foliage
The appeal of Hotel Sanraku is not limited to winter.
Its official website introduces the hotel as a place where guests can experience the great nature of Shiga Kogen through hiking and trekking in spring and summer, and enjoy highland scenery colored by autumn leaves in fall.
Shiga Kogen shows a completely different face in each season.
From spring into summer, there is fresh greenery and alpine flora.
Trekking routes lead through wetlands and around ponds.
Summer lifts offer a scenic ride through the air.
In autumn, the entire mountainside turns with color.
Although Shiga Kogen has a strong image as a winter ski resort, the green season and autumn foliage season are also full of appeal.
Hotel Sanraku also serves as a base for enjoying that seasonal nature.
As the official website says, “Come to Shiga Kogen in search of something extraordinary.” Here, guests can step slightly away from everyday life and refresh both body and mind in nature.
Ichinose Is Shiga Kogen’s “Central Town”
The third-generation owner described the appeal of Ichinose with the phrase “Shiga Kogen’s central town.”
It is a very easy phrase to understand.
Ichinose is one of the central areas of Shiga Kogen.
It is close to the slopes, accommodations are gathered there, and it is easy to move to surrounding areas.
For guests, it is a place with many options.
For skiers, it offers easy access to a variety of slopes.
For those staying in the area, it offers choices in lodging, meals, and how to spend their time.
The inns in the area are also close to one another, creating horizontal connections within the community.
The third-generation owner says that among the areas of Ichinose, there is a sense of camaraderie, cooperation, and mutual support.
The appeal of Ichinose is created not only by Hotel Sanraku, but also by the surrounding inns, facilities, and the local community as a whole.
Because that awareness exists, creating an inn also connects to creating the region.
Within Ichinose as a central town, Hotel Sanraku is an inn that carries both the reassurance of a long-established property and the changes needed for the next era.
Not Perfect, but Always Pursuing Small Comforts
The idea that left the strongest impression from our conversation about Hotel Sanraku was this:
“We may not be perfect, but we want our guests to spend their time comfortably.”
It is a very honest and sincere statement.
Creating an inn is never truly finished.
Renovating the building does not mean the work is done, and changing the meals does not mean everything is complete.
Guests’ sensitivities and travel styles also change with the times.
That is why Hotel Sanraku is not only setting out grand ideals, but also trying to build up the small comforts right in front of it.
Being able to relax in the lobby.
Feeling human warmth at the front desk.
Meals being presented beautifully.
Rooms becoming more comfortable little by little.
Cleanliness being properly maintained.
Natural conversations arising with guests.
Each one may be a small thing.
But when those small comforts accumulate, the impression of the inn truly changes.
What Hotel Sanraku is pursuing is not only a flashy renewal.
It is gradually adjusting the very atmosphere of the inn so that it fits the way people travel today.
Hotel Sanraku Is Recommended for These Travelers
Hotel Sanraku is an inn we would recommend to the following types of travelers.
- People who want to enjoy skiing or snowboarding in Ichinose, Shiga Kogen
- People looking for an inn just one minute on foot from the slopes
- People who want to stay near Ichinose Family Ski Area
- People who want to choose an inn that combines the reassurance of a long-established property with a sensibility that fits today
- People who like inns where they can spend time slowly in the lobby or lounge
- People who care about the quality and presentation of meals
- People who want to enjoy hiking and trekking in spring and summer, or autumn foliage in fall
- People who want to travel with one of Shiga Kogen’s central areas as their base
- People who prefer inns where they can feel human warmth rather than large-scale hotels
Hotel Sanraku is a long-established inn that remembers the energy of the ski boom.
But it is not an inn that simply looks back nostalgically on the past.
From quantity to quality.
From a focus on groups to an inn also chosen by individual guests.
While inheriting its history, Hotel Sanraku is reviewing each element—the lobby, meals, guest rooms, and hospitality—and layering small moments of comfort.
If you want a stay in Ichinose, Shiga Kogen where you can feel both calm reassurance and positive change, Hotel Sanraku is sure to leave a lasting impression.
Hotel Sanraku Basic Information
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Facility Name | Hotel Sanraku |
| Address | 〒381-0401 Ichinose, Shiga Kogen, Yamanouchi-machi, Shimotakai-gun, Nagano Prefecture |
| Area | Ichinose Area, Shiga Kogen |
| Founded | 1964 |
| Main Feature | Located just one minute on foot from the slopes |
| Winter Activities | Skiing, snowboarding |
| Spring and Summer Activities | Hiking, trekking |
| Autumn Activities | Autumn foliage |
| Bath | Artificial hot spring, bath with jacuzzi |
| Official Website | https://shiga-sanraku.jp/ |
| Notes | Please check the official website or booking sites for the latest accommodation rates, operating status, and plan details. |