Donden Highland Lodge "Natural resort"
8.4
Excellent(220 reviews)
697 Tsubaki, Sado, Niigata 952-0003, Japan
+81 259-23-2161
+1
Hotel Description
Donden Highland Lodge Natural Resort
Donden Highland Lodge "Natural Resort", located at 697 Tsubaki, Sado, Niigata 952-0003, Japan, offers a tranquil retreat set against the breathtaking backdrop of Matone Mountain. Nestled on a lush hillside, this charming inn is just a short distance from Route 81, making it easily accessible for travelers seeking a peaceful escape. The location is a haven for nature lovers, with Dondeng Pond located less than a kilometer away, providing stunning views and opportunities for relaxation. The design of the lodge conveys a warm, rustic ambiance, inviting guests to unwind in its simple yet cozy environment. With its rural surroundings, guests can enjoy an authentic Japanese experience while being close to popular attractions like the Sado Kinzan gold mine and the beautiful hiking trails around Mt. Kinpoku.
The hotel offers 11 unpretentious rooms that accommodate up to 8 people, making it ideal for both solo travelers and families. The rooms exude a comfortable and homely atmosphere, with some featuring tatami floors, futons, or bunk beds, adding a traditional touch to your stay. While bathrooms are shared, the cozy setting allows for a communal feel, enhancing the lodge’s intimate and laid-back vibe. Each room is designed to offer a peaceful respite after a day of exploring the natural beauty and cultural sights nearby.
In terms of amenities, Donden Highland Lodge offers a variety of features that cater to guest comfort and convenience. A simple cafe provides a cozy spot to relax, while a communal bathhouse invites guests to unwind in soothing, hot water. The terrace boasts stunning views of the surrounding mountains, perfect for enjoying the fresh air and serene landscape. For guests traveling by car, free parking is available, adding to the lodge's accessibility. Breakfast is served daily, offering a range of options to start the day off right.
Donden Highland Lodge’s location offers convenient access to local public transportation options. For those flying into the area, Niigata Airport is about a 3-hour and 40-minute drive away, making the lodge easily accessible for travelers arriving by air. Guests can also enjoy a short drive to nearby landmarks and attractions. A short 13-minute drive takes visitors to Osadosanchi, while other must-see locations, such as the Aoneba Hiking Trail, are just a 15-minute drive away.
Health and safety are top priorities at Donden Highland Lodge. The property is a smoke-free establishment, ensuring a clean and safe environment for all guests. In addition, the hotel has measures in place to ensure guest safety, providing a secure and peaceful stay.
For guests looking to explore, there are a variety of activities to enjoy at and around the lodge. Guests can embark on scenic hikes in the nearby mountains, visit the Sado Kinzan gold mine, or take a relaxing stroll around Dondeng Pond. Other outdoor activities such as cycling around Lake Kamo or hiking Mt. Kinpoku provide excellent opportunities to engage with the local environment. Guests can also enjoy local culture by visiting nearby cultural sights like the Sado Tourism Association.
In the area surrounding Donden Highland Lodge, guests will find a range of delightful dining options. Within a 50-minute taxi ride, guests can visit a selection of high-quality restaurants offering a variety of culinary experiences. For those craving Japanese cuisine, restaurants such as 四季彩 味よし and Kato Restaurant offer authentic meals. Additionally, the lodge’s dinner buffet provides a satisfying dining experience for those wishing to enjoy a relaxing evening without leaving the hotel.
We invite you to experience the peace and beauty of Donden Highland Lodge. Whether you’re here for a relaxing retreat or an adventurous exploration of Sado Island, you’ll find comfort, warmth, and a welcoming atmosphere awaiting you. Come and make memories in a place where nature meets tradition, and relaxation is guaranteed.
The hotel offers 11 unpretentious rooms that accommodate up to 8 people, making it ideal for both solo travelers and families. The rooms exude a comfortable and homely atmosphere, with some featuring tatami floors, futons, or bunk beds, adding a traditional touch to your stay. While bathrooms are shared, the cozy setting allows for a communal feel, enhancing the lodge’s intimate and laid-back vibe. Each room is designed to offer a peaceful respite after a day of exploring the natural beauty and cultural sights nearby.
In terms of amenities, Donden Highland Lodge offers a variety of features that cater to guest comfort and convenience. A simple cafe provides a cozy spot to relax, while a communal bathhouse invites guests to unwind in soothing, hot water. The terrace boasts stunning views of the surrounding mountains, perfect for enjoying the fresh air and serene landscape. For guests traveling by car, free parking is available, adding to the lodge's accessibility. Breakfast is served daily, offering a range of options to start the day off right.
Donden Highland Lodge’s location offers convenient access to local public transportation options. For those flying into the area, Niigata Airport is about a 3-hour and 40-minute drive away, making the lodge easily accessible for travelers arriving by air. Guests can also enjoy a short drive to nearby landmarks and attractions. A short 13-minute drive takes visitors to Osadosanchi, while other must-see locations, such as the Aoneba Hiking Trail, are just a 15-minute drive away.
Health and safety are top priorities at Donden Highland Lodge. The property is a smoke-free establishment, ensuring a clean and safe environment for all guests. In addition, the hotel has measures in place to ensure guest safety, providing a secure and peaceful stay.
For guests looking to explore, there are a variety of activities to enjoy at and around the lodge. Guests can embark on scenic hikes in the nearby mountains, visit the Sado Kinzan gold mine, or take a relaxing stroll around Dondeng Pond. Other outdoor activities such as cycling around Lake Kamo or hiking Mt. Kinpoku provide excellent opportunities to engage with the local environment. Guests can also enjoy local culture by visiting nearby cultural sights like the Sado Tourism Association.
In the area surrounding Donden Highland Lodge, guests will find a range of delightful dining options. Within a 50-minute taxi ride, guests can visit a selection of high-quality restaurants offering a variety of culinary experiences. For those craving Japanese cuisine, restaurants such as 四季彩 味よし and Kato Restaurant offer authentic meals. Additionally, the lodge’s dinner buffet provides a satisfying dining experience for those wishing to enjoy a relaxing evening without leaving the hotel.
We invite you to experience the peace and beauty of Donden Highland Lodge. Whether you’re here for a relaxing retreat or an adventurous exploration of Sado Island, you’ll find comfort, warmth, and a welcoming atmosphere awaiting you. Come and make memories in a place where nature meets tradition, and relaxation is guaranteed.
The Most Outstanding Trait
1. Located at the base of Matone Mountain, offering stunning views of nature
2. 11 comfortable rooms, some with tatami floors, futons, and bunk beds
3. Communal bathhouse and a terrace with scenic mountain views
4. Breakfast and parking available for guest convenience
5. No pets allowed, ensuring a serene and peaceful environment
6. Smoke-free property with a commitment to guest safety
7. No fitness center or spa, ideal for those seeking a simpler, nature-focused experience
8. Nearby attractions including Sado Kinzan gold mine and Mt. Kinpoku
9. Short drive to several top local restaurants offering traditional Japanese cuisine
10. Kid-friendly, with a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere for families
6.2 Good
Location rating
Top sights
Sado Kinzan (Sado gold mine)
1 hr 1 min
Sado Tourism Association30 min
Mt. Kinpoku1 hr 41 min
Aoneba Hiking Trail15 min
Lake Kamo35 min
Nearest locations
四季彩 味よし
26 min
ユメクイノイエ27 min
テッパンノミセタク29 min
味処 天國29 min
Kato Restaurant39 min
欧風食堂 Kubo屋40 min
まちの洋食屋 ル アッシュ45 min
かえる食堂49 min
See more Interesting locations
Good to know
| Check-in | 15:00 |
| Check-out | 10:00 |
| Location rating | 6.2 |
| Nearest airport | Niigata Airport |
| Travel time to airport | 3 hr 40 min |
Recommended properties nearby
Location
697 Tsubaki, Sado, Niigata 952-0003, Japan
Airports:
Niigata Airport
Taxi: 3 hr 40 min
Nearby locations
6.2
Good Location
Set on a lush hillside at the base of Matone Mountain, this laid-back inn in a rural area off Route 81 is less than a kilometer from Dondeng Pond.
Top Attractions
Top Restaurants
Amenities and Facilities
Pets
No pets
Parking & transportation
Parking
Services
Front desk
Baggage storage
Gift shop
Public bath
Public bath
Accessibility
Accessible
Policies & payments
Smoke-free property
No credit cards
Cash
Food & drink
Restaurant
Table service
Buffet dinner
Breakfast
Breakfast buffet
Vending machines
Wellness
No fitness center
No spa
Children
Kid-friendly
Internet
Wi-Fi
Pools
No pools
No hot tub
Rooms
No air conditioning
Reviews
100% reviews from partners and customers booking on Dinogo
8.8
94 reviews
Wonderful
54
Excellent
30
Good
6
Below Average
3
Not Good
1
メイコメ
5/5
First time visiting by motorcycle ^o^ The mountain pass from Irikawa to Donden is an adventure and the most fun.The lodge has a great atmosphere, the French food is delicious, the bath is big and spacious, and I was able to fully enjoy the sky♪
张x新婕
5/5
I used it for Mt. Kinpoku trekking. The location offers a beautiful view of Ryotsu Port and Lake Kamo, and we enjoyed the delicious free mushroom soup.The dishes were made with great care and made mostly from ingredients sourced from Sado. It was very delicious.
Vincent Derriey
5/5
We stayed in this hotel for 3 nights and it was an amazing stay. The rooms are basic but the location, facilities, staff and food are amazing.We took at first only the breakfast and finally also had one evening meal and it was a real surprise, French cuisine full course perfectly done with local ingredients, excellent !Also had the opportunity to rent a barbecue set and, as all the time during our stay, the staff was really helpful and nice to set everything up.The bath is really pleasant and big enough to relax.The road might appear long but it is worth it, the lodge is so quiet in a remote area. Perfect to relax and star gazing without the usual city lights. The view on central Sado is also beautiful from the sunset to the night.Will definitely come back if I travel again on Sado Island. Thank you to everyone for the lovely stay 😊
ばあばbaaba
5/5
🏣697 Tsubaki, Sado City, Niigata Prefecture🅿️🚗…Yes (20 units)About 40 minutes from Ryotsu Port*Business hours10:00-15:00*InnCheck in 3pm Check out 10am(Last check-in 20:00)Number of rooms9th room*About 40 years ago, there were six of us, my parents and children.I stopped by this time (not staying overnight) with my child, who was barely walking around at the time.There were cows grazing nearby.Although the weather was bad and I couldn't see what was going on around me, I felt nostalgic and remembered my late parents.I stopped by the mountain hut, and I was welcomed warmly by the person in charge, and even gave me some mushroom soup (it tasted just like I thought it would).I also talked to my children about how I would like to visit them again, so I apologized.Thank you very much.
Tomoyuki Sakashita
5/5
This time we stayed at the campsite for 2 nights. You can't bring your car to the campsite, but it's close to the parking lot so it's not a problem. The lawn is beautiful and there are no slopes so you can spend your time comfortably. There was also one washing area and two or three stoves (although we did not use them for the purpose of climbing). The bathrooms are clean and comfortable, as are the restrooms in the building. According to the story, the food provided by those staying in the main building seems to be quite good. If I have a chance, I would definitely like to stay there. It is an inseparable wonderful place, including Dongdaengsan-gun and the traverse to Mt. Kimbuksan. Needless to say, the wonderful view overlooking Ryotsu Port is also wonderful.
真
5/5
I visited on the first day of a three-day weekend, but unfortunately due to heavy rain I couldn't see the night view or starry sky...However, dinner was very delicious!Apparently there were many cancellations due to the heavy rain, so we were able to enjoy dinner in a relaxed atmosphere with a small number of people.Next time I'll visit when it's sunny!
佐々木利一
4/5
You can see a panoramic view of Sado.The night sky is beautiful
グリベル
5/5
It was a fun and stormy weather, but it was heaven inside! The facilities, atmosphere, and staff all welcomed us warmly! Mushroom soup and steak for 500 yen are the best you can get during the event period! The color of the curry was strange, but it tasted good! Next time I would like to stay overnight in a sunny day 👍
山田将也
5/5
As others have written, the food is excellent! The price is also reasonable compared to a typical full-course meal, and the dining venue dims unnecessary lights and is lit by lanterns, allowing you to enjoy a calm atmosphere that is extraordinary.Although I didn't use it, there was a barbecue space behind the lodge. Apparently, they rent out the tools, so you can bring your kids along to have a barbecue in nature under a starry sky. The air in Sado is clear, so the sky looked even more beautiful.It's best to have clear, sunny skies, but mountain weather can be changeable. During the night I stayed there, I was able to see a variety of scenery including rain, fog, rainbow, starry sky, and a beautiful sunrise, so I felt privileged to have been there. I heard that you can see a sea of clouds, so I would like to visit again if I have a chance.Please be careful not to forget anything. There is no store unless you go down the mountain road for 30 minutes.
Hisako Kikuoka
4/5
At the beginning of September, I chose it as a base for sightseeing in Sado during a solo trip around Ichinomiya, and stayed there for three consecutive nights.Everyone at the staff is very responsive and will make your stay even better.The food and the scenery were better than I expected, and the chef's cooking was really good!Both the service staff and the front desk staff are soft-spoken.They will also tell you about the charms of Sado. Thank you.It's a pretty steep mountain road to drive down to the city, but once you get used to it, it's quite comfortable.It's a road full of discoveries every time you go back and forth.Although I broke my leg during the trip and wasn't able to hike as much as I had hoped, there was so much to see that 3 days wasn't enough.It took me two days to drive around Sado.I would like to take care of you again.I recommend visiting at the beginning of September as there are fewer people.Thank you to all the staff.
大倉智子
5/5
I went to Sanae Toki Sensei's [Galaxy Dance] at Donden Kogen Lodge. I lost track of time as I was reminded of my mountain climbing days as a student and the wonderful views of Ryotsu Bay and Lake Kamo.Although there were a few insects inside the lodge, every corner was cleaned and I am grateful to the staff for their thoughtfulness.Popular French dinner.I was very impressed with the bright colors of the appetizers, the exquisite pasta with abalone liver, the tender Sado beef steak, and the desserts. The wait staff by the male staff was also good. [Because the only staff at the local inn is an old lady waitress]By the time the stage started, the rain had stopped, and the light up in the fog was wonderful.Sanae Toki's Kojo no Tsuki, Ume Hayaga Takiguchi's Tsuki Monogatari, Nishizaki Sensei's Moon...Wonderful dancesThere was also a cello performance, and we had a great time at the dancing event on the mountain. At the end, Toki Sensei's Ryotsu Jinku and Sado Okesa, a zashiki dance with Mr. Takiguchi, were truly the most beautiful dances in Sado.I was surprised because I only had an image of an old mountain lodge.I will invite my friends and come again.Please hold the Galaxy Dance again next year. Thank you 😍
新屋さなえ
5/5
August 25th Dongten Plateau Lodge [Galaxy Dance]Miraculously, the rain stopped and we were able to hold the event on the terrace. The guests were delighted with the fantastic stage in the fog, the three pieces of the Tsuki series, the zashiki dance, Sado Okesa, and Ryotsu Jinku, and most of all, they were impressed by the splendor of the last-minute dinner🌃🍴. I did.This location and French full course. This is a unique spot on Sado Island.To all the staff at the lodge. Thank you for your heartfelt hospitality.Thank you to everyone involved.See you next year👍️Japanese dance, Kotobuki-ryu masterSanae Toki
岩野美由紀
5/5
The view and food were great
Room 5
Service 5
Location5
遠藤忠彦
4/5
I stopped by for lunch rather than staying overnight. The first purpose was to go for a preview to see the starry sky, but as we got closer to the top of the mountain, the clouds spread and we had lunch before heading down the mountain, but if there were no clouds, we would have been able to see a beautiful sea view. I went down to the Senkaku Bay side and discovered two small waterfalls on the way.
天白レペゼン
5/5
lodge above the cloudsThe sunset is beautifulThe morning sun is beautifulThe starry sky is incredibleI saw a sea of cloudsThe course meals were also delicious.I could look down on the people of the world below.Irresistible for photo loversbest summer vacationScenery is in my top 3 things in life so far👍
之彦
4/5
Anyway, the view is awesome.Coincidentally, it was August and there was a sea of clouds.There is also a camping area next to the lodge that you can enjoy.The rooms at the lodge are probably for mountain climbing, so there are no TVs or refrigerators.The food was a course meal and was delicious.When I was driving up the mountain road, I was worried whether it was really there, but halfway through I opened it and felt like the mountains and sky were up close.
ggg tsussy
5/5
I used it for camping, and all the staff were kind and had a love for the local area. The scenery was good and I could see the night view and the Milky Way beautifully. I would like to repeat it again.
I A
5/5
Even in the middle of summer, if it's clear, you can see an amazing starry sky.The road to the site is quite steep, and encountering oncoming traffic can be troublesome. They cannot cross unless one of them backs up.There's no air conditioning in the room, but it's about 900 meters above sea level, so it's pretty cold at night.It's basically a one-man operation, but he's efficient and there's no problem.Breakfast is also delicious.The tap water is natural mountain water, cold, of good quality, and very delicious.
長洋子
5/5
I stayed there for one night on my way back from climbing Mt. Kinhoku on August 8th. The full course meal served with a spectacular view was very delicious.The hospitality of the staff was also great.We also saw fireworks at Ryotsu Port, full stars, and shooting stars. The next morning, I was moved by the spectacular 360° view of the sunrise from the plateau behind the lodge. The morning coffee that was prepared while watching the sunrise was also great. The rice at breakfast was also delicious.I would like to make some great memories at the lodge again in May, when the flowers are in full bloom.
まこうん
5/5
We stayed for 4 nights and 5 days with 2 adults and 1 small dog.The trip schedule includes kayaking at Ogi Diving Center, Sawada Beach, Futatsugame Beach, and a tour of the historic Sado Gold Mine.Good points about the hotel-The starry sky and sunrise are the most beautiful(The sky was full of stars after 9pm, and the sun rose at 4:30 in the morning and the room was bright)•Excellent course meals-Since the dog cannot go to the dining room, we were able to eat in the room after listening to our request (each person brought their own food to their room).-Water in the washroom and bathroom was extracted from spring water and was delicious.•I was able to rent some space in the refrigerator.Points of concern•There was no hand-washing area for dogs, so I rented a hand-washing area in the BBQ area to shampoo my dog. Use the bucket you brought. Only fresh water was available, so I fetched hot water from the bathroom.-Since it is a natural place, moths and ants can get into the room (if you are not good at insects, you may need to spray it)-The road to the hotel is difficult (large vehicles such as wagons tend to fall into ditches, and the distance from oncoming vehicles is very close, so driving skills are required)-There is no Wi-Fi facility, and there is no TV or refrigerator in the room (there is a TV in the dining room)thoughtsSince it was my first time staying on a car ferry with my dog, I contacted the hotel owner several times over the past month. He was very helpful in explaining the climate and hotel facilities in detail. On Sado Island in August, the temperature exceeds 33 degrees on the flatlands. The hotel is located near the top of a plateau, so it was cool at around 25 degrees. There was a fan heater in the hotel room, so it wasn't too hot and it was cool and comfortable. Even if they weren't staying at a hotel, there were many tourists who mainly came for BBQ and meals.Also, on the way to the top near the top of the hotel, we encountered several narrow roads, steep slopes, and territory, where we were greeted by Kata, which made us very nervous and thrilling. Also, after 9pm, I was surprised to see the stars shining so clearly in the starry sky that I could see the Scorpio constellation and shooting stars with the naked eye. I don't know much about constellations, and if I could see them so clearly, I would have liked to have learned a little more about them. Binoculars for astronomical observation can also be rented at the hotel. Next time I stay here again, I would like to fully enjoy the BBQ and stargazing that I was not able to do. It was an unforgettable trip!