Located in the Ichinose area, near the heart of Shiga Kogen, Hotel Mutsumi is a highland inn that has welcomed many guests as a base for skiing and snowboarding in winter, and for high-altitude training and group camps in summer.
The appeal of this hotel is not limited to its convenient facilities or its location close to the slopes.
Regular guests who visit year after year call out “I’m home,” and sometimes even make their own coffee at the lobby counter. That home-like sense of closeness is what makes Hotel Mutsumi feel so distinctive.
Its journey as an inn began when Ichinose was still being developed. Its history grew alongside the demand for skiing. And today, the president continues to shape the hotel around the idea of being “moderately luxurious and casually relaxing.”
This time, we spoke with the president of Hotel Mutsumi about the hotel’s history, its present, and how it hopes to continue into the future.
At About 1,600 Meters Above Sea Level: A Hotel Welcoming Guests in Ichinose in Both Winter and Summer
The Ichinose area of Shiga Kogen is located near the center of Shiga Kogen and serves as a base for accommodation and extended stays. It is known as a place where visitors can enjoy different experiences depending on the season, from skiing and snowboarding in winter to trekking, group camps, and summer retreats.
Hotel Mutsumi, located in Ichinose, is a highland resort hotel standing at an elevation of about 1,600 meters.
On its official website, you will find the following phrase.
“Why not find a familiar, reassuring hotel in Shiga Kogen?”
The word “familiar” is a very important keyword when talking about Hotel Mutsumi. For first-time visitors, it is an inn where they can feel at ease. For those who visit repeatedly, it is a place they can return to. Hotel Mutsumi has long cherished that kind of comfortable distance with its guests.
In winter, it serves as a base for skiing and snowboarding. In summer, it welcomes high-altitude training groups and camps. And throughout the year, it becomes a base for trips that enjoy the nature of Shiga Kogen.
At Hotel Mutsumi, people gather in every season.
The Just-Right Comfort of Being “Moderately Luxurious and Casually Relaxing”
If the appeal of Hotel Mutsumi could be summed up in one phrase, the words shared by the president fit perfectly.
“Moderately luxurious and casually relaxing.”
It is a slightly humorous expression, but it actually captures Hotel Mutsumi’s approach very well.
It is not a luxury hotel where guests feel they need to behave formally. But it does provide the comfort needed for a pleasant stay. Guests can enjoy the bath and sauna, meals are satisfyingly generous, and the Japanese-style rooms allow them to unwind after skiing or training camps.
In other words, precisely because it is not overly luxurious, guests can relax without feeling tense.
On its official website, Hotel Mutsumi also lists “reassurance,” “cleanliness,” “comfort,” and “fair pricing” as its guiding principles. What the president aims for is not simply adding new facilities, but creating stays that make guests feel, “I’m glad I chose this place,” and “I want to come back.”
Behind the phrase “moderately luxurious” is the wish to be an inn that feels just right—easygoing, approachable, and genuinely comfortable.
It All Began with a Connection to Ichinose Won by Lottery
The beginnings of Hotel Mutsumi go back to the time of the president’s parents.
His father was 27, and his mother was 22. The reason the young couple came to Ichinose was that they had won the right to do so through a lottery.
“They took on the challenge despite having no hotel experience.”
That is how the president looks back on those days.
Starting an inn in the mountains without any experience in the hotel business was no easy task, even by today’s standards. And at the time, Ichinose was not yet the developed resort area it is today, with hotels and facilities gathered together and many visitors coming through.
Their encounter with Ichinose may, in one sense, have been something like chance. But the connection gained through that lottery became the beginning of Hotel Mutsumi’s long journey.
Going up into the mountains at a young age, building an inn, and welcoming visitors—there was a momentum and determination unique to the pioneering days.
“No Water, No Roads, No Guests”: Ichinose in the Founding Years
When asked about the most difficult period, the president pointed to the hotel’s founding years.
He described Ichinose at the time in this way:
“There was no water, no guests, no roads—nothing.”
Of course, this does not describe Ichinose today. Looking at the area now, with hotels and accommodations gathered together and many people visiting in both winter and summer, it may be hard to imagine. But when the inn first began, Ichinose was still in the middle of development.
There was not enough water, roads, or stable flow of guests—everything necessary to run an inn. Even transporting food and fuel was a serious challenge.
“Food and fuel were transported by ropeway.”
Continuing to run a mountain inn meant more than simply welcoming guests. It also meant securing ingredients, transporting fuel, protecting the building, facing the snow, and making daily life possible in the mountains.
The warmth of Hotel Mutsumi today may well have been born because it has passed through times like these.
From Mountain Lodge to Hotel, Growing Alongside Ski Demand
Hotel Mutsumi was not always the hotel it is today.
In its early days, it apparently had the atmosphere of what we might now call a mountain lodge. Later, as ski demand in Shiga Kogen expanded, the inn gradually changed its form.
The reason for expansions and renovations was also the growth in ski demand.
In winter, many skiers came to Shiga Kogen. To welcome more people and help them stay more comfortably, Hotel Mutsumi also grew with the times, changing from a lodge-like inn into a hotel.
The ski culture of Shiga Kogen and the journey of Hotel Mutsumi cannot be separated.
The bustle of winter helped the inn grow, and the inn in turn supported the stays of countless skiers.
Directly Connected to the Slopes: A Base for Enjoying Winter in Ichinose
In winter, Hotel Mutsumi offers a convenient location as a base for skiing and snowboarding.
On the official Shiga Kogen reservation site, Hotel Mutsumi is introduced as having “Tannenomori behind it” and “a large parking area in front.” It is also listed as an accommodation “directly connected to the slopes,” which is especially welcome for skiers and snowboarders.
The hotel’s attached “Kane no Naru Oka Restaurant” faces the Tannenomori ski area. Its large clock tower is also convenient as a meeting point, making it a useful presence for those spending winter in Ichinose.
On ski and snowboard trips, the location of the accommodation has a major impact on the comfort of the stay. Being able to head straight to the slopes in the morning. Being able to return to the hotel immediately after skiing. On winter trips with lots of gear, that closeness is especially appreciated.
As an inn that has welcomed ski guests for many years, Hotel Mutsumi has supported those who come to enjoy winter in Ichinose.
From Competitive Skiing to Group Travel: Supporting Winter Training Camps
Hotel Mutsumi supports not only individual ski trips, but also ski training camps.
Its official website provides information for competitive skiing, basic skiing, and ski club training camps. Shiga Kogen has expansive slopes and a wide variety of courses, making it an area where practice can be tailored to different skill levels.
Because the hotel also has a slope-side restaurant, plans including three meals per night can also be discussed. For group travel and ski camps of 20 or more people, consultations are accepted by phone.
If some participants do not have ski equipment, rental skis can also be discussed. For group organizers, being able to consult not only about lodging, but also about meals and equipment, is a reassuring advantage.
For those who wish to do pole training, the current system requires users to make reservations themselves with Shiga Kogen Resort. When planning a competitive ski camp, it is best to consult the inn while also confirming how to reserve a pole training course.
In Summer, It Becomes a Base for High-Altitude Training
The appeal of Hotel Mutsumi is not limited to winter.
In summer, Ichinose is also used as a place for high-altitude training and group camps. The Ichinose area of Shiga Kogen, where Hotel Mutsumi is located, sits at an elevation of about 1,600 meters. In general, elevations of around 1,300 to 2,000 meters are considered suitable when aiming for the effects of high-altitude training, making Ichinose an ideal fit for those conditions.
The official website also notes that Hotel Mutsumi has a track record of welcoming many runners.
High-altitude training stays are accepted from two nights or more. Rates are provided after consultation, depending on meal arrangements such as one night with two meals or three meals, as well as the level of support required.
Summer in Shiga Kogen is appealing because visitors can exercise in a cool climate. Leaving behind the heat of the city and running in clear mountain air—Ichinose becomes a reliable training camp destination for runners and teams seeking that kind of environment.
Behind the Hotel Is a 1.7-Kilometer High-Altitude Training Course
One major reason to use Hotel Mutsumi for high-altitude training is its location.
Behind the hotel, the Ichinose high-altitude training course has been developed specifically for training use. This public course is 1.7 kilometers per lap. While located at elevations of approximately 1,595 to 1,640 meters, its maximum elevation difference is 45 meters, making it a relatively easy course to run.
There are many open areas where runners can enjoy broad views, making it appealing to train while taking in scenery that feels distinctly Shiga Kogen.
The course includes a blue clay-track course and a green out-and-back grass route within the ski slope area, both said to be 4 meters wide. Being able to start running right behind the hotel is a major benefit for training camp users.
For those who want longer-distance runs, the old Okushiga forest road is another option. From Hotel Mutsumi to the Okushiga Gondola Station is about 6 kilometers one way. Round-trip routes of more than 10 kilometers are also possible, and the road is introduced as having relatively little traffic.
Run, rest, eat, then run again. The environment around Hotel Mutsumi makes it easy to create the rhythm needed for a training camp.
“We Don’t Do Anything Special,” Yet There Are Thoughtful Details That Training Groups Appreciate
When we asked the president about summer training camps, he responded with these words:
“We don’t really do anything special for athletic groups.”
At first, it sounds like a modest answer. But as we listened further, we could see many thoughtful details that are helpful for training camp users.
For example, morning sauna use. For those who want to condition their bodies before or after training, having access to a sauna is a welcome facility.
There is also support such as juice service and free laundry. During training camps, clothing often needs to be washed every day. Being able to do laundry easily provides great reassurance during longer stays.
The president says they do not do anything special, but in reality, this is an inn that naturally understands what training camps require.
In the past, sending direct mail to universities led to continued use by track and field clubs for training camps. A connection born from sales efforts grew into a long-lasting relationship. That, too, feels like a very Hotel Mutsumi story.
Meals Offer the Generous Portions Active Guests Appreciate
Whether for skiing, training camps, or travel, meals have a major influence on the impression of an inn.
At Hotel Mutsumi, meals are served in a spacious dining room. The official website introduces dishes made with attention to local ingredients, such as Shinshu soba noodles and piping-hot mushroom hot pot.
One feature is that meal portions are also considered for guests who actively enjoy the nature of Shiga Kogen through skiing, hiking, training, and other activities.
Examples of dinner include ceramic-plate dishes and optional dishes such as horse sashimi. Breakfast examples include both Japanese and Western styles, and menu contents change depending on the season and ingredient availability.
The meals at Hotel Mutsumi are not about competing through flashiness alone. What matters is being able to eat well after moving your body, and being able to gather around warm food while talking with friends or family about the day’s events.
That, too, is one of the pleasures of spending an evening at a highland inn.
“Mutsumi no Yu,” a Bath Available 24 Hours, and a Sauna
For active guests, the bath is also important.
Hotel Mutsumi has a bath called “Mutsumi no Yu.” Except during cleaning times, it is available 24 hours a day. Being able to rest your body on your own schedule after winter sports, hiking, or training is a welcome feature.
The bath uses “Togor no Yu,” an artificial hot spring created with mineral stones. There are separate large public baths for men and women, each with an attached sauna.
Warming the body after skiing in the snow in winter. Washing off sweat after running in summer. These moments raise the satisfaction of the stay.
Hotel Mutsumi’s idea of “casual relaxation” appears not only in the atmosphere of the lobby, but also in facilities like these.
A Home-Like Distance, Where Regular Guests Make Their Own Coffee
There is one episode that feels essential when talking about Hotel Mutsumi.
The president describes Hotel Mutsumi in this way:
“It’s like a second home.”
There is a scene in the lobby that seems to symbolize those words.
“Sometimes regular guests make their own coffee at the lobby counter.”
At first, this may sound a little surprising. But it also shows just how comfortable guests feel spending time here.
Of course, this does not mean that anyone can freely enter the counter area. It is a sense of distance born from relationships built over many years, and possible precisely because the guests are familiar faces.
Rather than a hotel-and-guest relationship, the atmosphere is closer to visiting a relative’s home. Not overly formal, yet filled with the reassurance of being warmly welcomed.
That atmosphere is surely one reason Hotel Mutsumi has been loved by repeat guests.
The Value of an Inn Appears in the Moment Guests Say “I’m Home”
Speaking about relationships with regular guests, the president shared another memorable scene.
At a ryokan or hotel, a guest says, “I’m home.” It is a casual phrase, but it proves that they feel the place is somewhere they can return to.
Guests visit almost every year, relax as they always do, and spend their time at ease. For the president, seeing guests like that is a moment when he feels the true character of Hotel Mutsumi.
The value of accommodation cannot be measured only by how new or luxurious its facilities are.
“I came again this year.”
“I’m home.”
“I’ll come again.”
Being a place where such words are exchanged naturally. Being a place where memories gradually accumulate within those who visit.
That is the kind of inn Hotel Mutsumi has continued to cherish.
Continuing Without Changing Too Much, and Enjoying the Process
When talking about the future of Hotel Mutsumi, the president does not speak of dramatic changes or flashy visions.
What he wants to value is continuing while preserving the atmosphere that already exists—and enjoying that process.
“I want to keep enjoying this perfect balance of being moderately luxurious and relaxing.”
These words clearly express the future of Hotel Mutsumi.
Rather than forcing the hotel to grow larger or changing too much to follow trends, the goal is to continue being an inn where visitors can stay with peace of mind, while maintaining what needs to be maintained and improving what needs attention.
That may sound simple, but it is actually very difficult.
An inn is not made by its building alone. The atmosphere created by the people there, the way guests are welcomed, the warmth of the meals, conversations exchanged in the lobby, and relationships with people who return every year—all of these layers come together to create the personality of a single inn.
Hotel Mutsumi will continue to welcome winter skiers, summer runners, and regular guests who return to Ichinose saying, “I’m home.”
Hotel Mutsumi Is Recommended for These Travelers
Hotel Mutsumi is especially recommended for the following types of guests.
- People looking for ski or snowboard accommodation in Ichinose, Shiga Kogen
- People who want to stay close to the slopes
- Those looking for a training camp location for competitive skiing, basic skiing, or ski clubs
- Runners and track-and-field teams looking for a summer high-altitude training destination
- Organizers of group trips or camps for 20 or more people
- People who want to soothe fatigue in a bath or sauna
- People who prefer casual, warm inns over overly luxurious accommodations
- People who want to find an inn they can return to every year, not just visit once
In winter, head out to the silver-white slopes. In summer, run on refreshing highland training courses.
And at the end of the day, an unpretentious lobby, warm meals, and a relaxing bath are waiting.
Hotel Mutsumi is an inn that brings your time in Ichinose, Shiga Kogen, just a little closer to feeling like “home.”
Hotel Mutsumi Basic Information
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Facility Name | Hotel Mutsumi |
| Address | 〒381-0401 7149 Hirao, Yamanouchi-machi, Shimotakai-gun, Nagano Prefecture, Ichinose, Shiga Kogen |
| Phone Number | 0269-34-2706 |
| FAX | 0269-34-2677 |
| Inquiry Hours | 8:30–20:00 |
| Check-in | From 15:00 |
| Check-out | Until 9:30 |
| Guest Rooms | 37 Japanese-style rooms |
| Room Types | Building A: Japanese-style rooms without bath or toilet Building B: Japanese-style rooms with toilet Building C: Japanese-style rooms with bath and toilet |
| Baths | Mutsumi no Yu, Togor Onsen, separate large public baths for men and women |
| Sauna | Attached to the separate large public baths for men and women |
| Meals | Dishes made with attention to local ingredients, such as Shinshu soba and mushroom hot pot *Contents may change depending on the season and ingredient availability |
| Main Uses | Skiing, snowboarding, ski training camps, high-altitude training, group camps, hiking, touring |
| Official Website | http://www.shigakogen.jp/mutsumi/ |
| https://www.instagram.com/mutsuminotake/ | |
| Notes | Please check the official website or call for the latest accommodation rates and plans. For urgent inquiries, calling is the most reliable option. |