Minshuku Ogino

Amazing host - he really went above and beyond for us :) definitely ask him for food recommendations

(English Below)The master is a veteran of the four surrounding ski resorts and will guide you carefully. We can guide everyone from beginners to pros, whether they are skiing or snowboarding.The mansion is in a great location. Moiwa Ski Resort is close by, and you can take a free bus to each ski resort. You can slide back from Annupuri Ski Resort and it is very accessible. Still, it's a quiet place where you can relax at night, away from the very crowded Grand Hirafu and Hirafu Village. It felt like I was visiting a real neighborhood in Niseko. There are several hot springs nearby, so it is recommended even for those who don't like slipping.The room is a large Japanese-style room, and you can sleep on a very comfortable futon. It's not new. It has a traditional atmosphere. Still, there were plenty of stoves, etc., and even in the classic Showakan building, I never thought for a second that it was cold. You can interact with people from other countries in the common spaces (living room, kitchen, etc.), relax in the large private rooms, and spend time relaxing in nature.Highly recommended for those who want to slip back in time to the Showa era while skating on the snow in perfect conditions. If you stay here, you'll also be able to buy cheap lift tickets to the surrounding ski resorts. This means that you can get various discount coupons.A big thank you to Mr. Wakatabe (master) of the private lodging Ogino (Hokkaiido Lodge). I will go again if I have a chance!Run by a true master veteran of the three or four hills/lifts which surround the lodge, Wakatabe Hisashi-sann was always there and ready to show us (and the other skiiers and snowboarders) all the best lifts and runs. What's more, he's got the daily info on the best backcountry runs and is eager to go up with his guests in the mornings.The location of the lodge is ideal -- right in front of Moiwa from which free buses departing and returning from the neighboring Annupuri and HIrafu come and go each morning and afternoon. From Annupuri (and of course Moiwa) you can skii home right into the lodge at the end of your day. Separated from the bustling Hirafu Village (read: a noisy, packed, and quite North Americanized 'city'), the nights are quiet here with a small creek running behind a neighborhood filled mainly with locals and long -time residents or repeat visitors. A few pubs nearby, as well as some small restos offer handcooked meals during the day and into the night -- while retaining the relaxed, quiet feel of being in nature. Moreover, there are several hot springs within walking distance, making Hokkaiido Lodge a recommended spot even for those who won't be skiing.The rooms are large and Japanese style (tatami and incredible futons) with ample stoves to keep you warm through the night. The entire building is old, and it is truly like going back in time to a rural, 1960s or 1970s Japan that is quickly disappearing under the pressures of rapid and big-budget development (see: Hirafu). A hidden gem for those who appreciate a simple retreat in the wilderness. The spacey public/shared rooms include a huge living room with billiards table, and a massive kitchen with everything you need to cook. Meanwhile, the rooms are big enough for those who prefer to hang out alone.Discounted lift tickets and onsen tickets are available to guests.I look forward to heading back next year and staying again with Mr. Wakatabe at Hokkaiido Lodge. Thank you for an amazing few days.

Great budget lodge. Definitely a hostel but totally worth it for the price and location! Our room had a view of the mountain and was nice and warm with the gas heater they give you. It's cold throughout the hostel so make sure you have a jacket. Showers in the basement get nice and hot if you let them run for a couple minutes. Absolutely worth the stay if you're looking to ski at Moiwa, or get a 2 point lift ticket and ride up to G6 to ski at Annupuri!

Low budget, low expectations.This place is barely passable if you are looking for a cheap roof over your head that is in close proximity to Moiwa ski field. However, don’t expect anything much more than that. We stayed here four nights, and refused use the bathroom once.No restaurants, onsen, or shops outside of the neighboring hotels. There is parking available at the hotel parking lot up the hill, which is about a 3 min walk. Toilets are open pit, and powerfully emit a death-like odor that permeates throughout the facility. Showers doors are permanently ajar, and can be found located down a long dark hallway, in a seemingly distant, third-world country, paved with trampoline-like floor boards, and the looming threat of collapse.Rooms are basic, constructed out of spare parts. Walls are thin, with holes and stains, and expect to hear everything that your neighbor is doing. Heating is provided a kerosine-powered space heater only, so be sure to create proper ventilation to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning when running it over night.