2-Star Hotels in Hokkaido, Japan

Location The location of Auberge Ninguruforet is a bit remote and far from the main town center of Biei. There are no nearby convenience stores like Lawson or Family Mart, so guests need to plan ahead for their meals and supplies. This can be inconvenient, especially for larger groups with elderly or young children who may have difficulty walking long distances in the cold winter weather. Check-in ProcessTo improve the check-in experience, it would be helpful if the hotel could request guests to provide their passport details in advance. This would allow for a smoother and faster check-in, without the need for guests to go back and forth to their cars in the freezing temperatures just to take photos for the registration process. Check-out Confusion Even though the hotel had implemented the CCTV audio system to provide clear instructions, the language barrier appears to have caused some confusion for me during the check-out. This can be a common challenge, especially in more remote locations where the staff may not be as fluent in English. Breakfast Since our group requires halal food, it's understandable that we did not include the breakfast option in our package. The hotel could consider offering more diverse breakfast options to cater to different dietary needs in the future. Luggage Handling and Car Access One of the key issues we faced was the need to transport our luggage from the parking area to the unit using carts, rather than being able to drive our car closer to the entrance. This was especially challenging given the freezing -10°C temperatures at night .To improve this, it would be greatly appreciated if the hotel could allow guests to drive our cars closer to the entrance, even if just temporarily, to drop off the luggage. This would avoid the need for guests, especially those traveling with elderly or young children, to struggle with pushing heavy carts through the frigid weather. Scenery Despite the challenges, the stunning winter scenery at Auberge Ninguruforet seems to have made up for it. The -8°C temperature that morning must have created a true winter wonderland, with the beautiful snow-covered landscapes and crisp, clear skies. This picturesque setting is surely a highlight of your stay.Overall, with some improvements to the location accessibility, check-in/out procedures, and guest services, Auberge Ninguruforet could provide an even more enjoyable experience, especially for larger groups traveling with families. The breathtaking winter scenery, however, remains a major draw for this property. We will surely come again to Auberge Ninguruforet, this time leaving our larger luggage in the car and only carrying the essentials we need for our stay in our backpacks. This will allow us to avoid the hassle of transporting heavy bags through the frigid weather, and instead focus on enjoying the stunning winter scenery.By packing light and only bringing what we need for the duration of our visit, we can easily move between our car and the hotel entrance without the struggle of pushing carts through the snow. This will make the check-in and check-out process much smoother, especially for our group with elderly and young family members.Despite the minor inconveniences we experienced previously, the breathtaking winter wonderland at Auberge Ninguruforet remains a major draw for us. We look forward to returning, better prepared to handle the cold temperatures, and immersing ourselves in the serene, picturesque setting that this property offers. With a few adjustments to our packing and luggage management, we are confident our next stay will be an even more enjoyable and memorable experience.

Perfect Location. So close to the Subway and the Curry House downstairs is a bonus. So close to all stores and restaurants. The home itself is absolutely Fantastic. Comfortable beds, nice and quiet. Perfectly set out to make a great stay for the Japanese Home Experience. Thank you Eternal! We will return next trip to Japan

The staff at the inn were warm and moderate, and I was very comfortable. While there were many non-smoking rooms, the companion who was a smoker was very happy. In addition, the correspondence of the odor remaining in the room is also firm, and I think it can be comfortable. It's a hot spring, but you can get the power of the source. It is a hot spring of great satisfaction! I want to enter again ♪

The house design is beautiful, but the location is a bit far unless you have a car. The guesthouse serves food, and you can mingle with other guests. You can also play with the cats, though be careful with the three-legged one. The room is clean and comfortable.

Cosy, retro feels with good amenities (slippers, wifi, refrigerator etc, public coffee/hot water/tea machine), good value for money given the location. Beautiful garden with sakura trees. Also there's a seicomart next door, which is very convenient. Building is rather quaint and homely, which I prefer to the cookie cutter hotels closer to the commercial stretch of Lake Toya. There was a public bath that I was a little too intimidated/tired to use, but definitely check it out if it's your thing. Very friendly, nice staff who checked us in and out.

The counter staff is very polite, you can send it early, the room is very clean, this family is very good, except that it is a bit far from today, there is no problem, there is also a supermarket nearby

A very affordable lodge to book if you intend to snowboard/ski for long! Although location is slightly far from hirafu and other mountains, they offer bus services there. Also there is free shuttle buses back from the mountains which stops opposite the lodge!

This hostel has a great location. Hokkaido University, with its excellent museum, is just a short walk north – I'd highly recommend checking it out. However, the room I stayed in had 20 beds on one floor, so if you're a light sleeper or sensitive to noise, you might want to look elsewhere. It's really more suited as a cheap, temporary place to crash.

Rebun Shiri is an excellent budget-friendly ryokan on Rebun Island, offering a comfortable stay in a convenient location just 5–10 minutes on foot from Kafuka Port. The property is surrounded by useful amenities, including a supermarket and several restaurants, making it easy to find food and supplies during your stay. Guests can choose between traditional Japanese-style tatami rooms with futons or Western-style twin rooms, depending on their preference. The facilities are well maintained, with shared bathrooms and washbasins separated from the guest rooms. On the first floor, there is a public bath (sento) with separate areas for men and women, providing a relaxing way to unwind after a day of sightseeing. Complimentary yukata are also available for guests to wear during their stay. What truly stands out is the warm hospitality of the staff, who were incredibly friendly and welcoming throughout my visit. Considering the high accommodation prices often found on Rebun Island, this ryokan offers outstanding value for money. As a bonus, you may even spot seagulls gathering on the rooftop in the morning, creating a charming and memorable island atmosphere. Overall, an easy 5-star stay for anyone looking for affordable, comfortable, and authentic accommodation on Rebun Island.

We were here scouting a bit for the coming winter and really liked the location very close to the slopes and also a few restaurants a short walk away. Downside perhaps that no Lawson or similar in the immediate surroundings but maybe there was some other minimart around the lift station. Just spent a night here so not much time to drift around the area. Easy parking in front, fast check in and a kind offering to help haul the suitcases upstairs. Hotel is in super good shape, felt almost brand new. Nice public area with couches and a fireplace. Room was good size and comfortable for 3 but especially for a ski resort it really lacked storage for clothes. Could easily have fit something under the bunk bed. Also in the bath theres no place to hang towels or clothes, just a really tiny foldable drying rack. Room fridge was not cooling either and pretty small. Breakfast was set menu and nice for this stay but for winter I would rather have a buffet to load up for a day on the mountain. Might be though they change for winter and i realize that buffet may not be a sustainable option for low season and few guests. All in all it was a good stay and we will definitely keep this in mind for the next visit to Furano 👍🏼