Pension Mori no Family

A pension in Nobeyama, Yatsugatake, built around the keyword "family"

This small 8-room pension sits on the Nobeyama Plateau in Shinshu's Yatsugatake area, in Minamimaki-mura, Minamisaku-gun, Nagano. The owner couple run it as a homey place built around the keyword "family," supporting families traveling with babies or children and three-generation trips. The plateau sits at a high elevation and stays cool even in summer, in a setting rich in nature where you can hear birdsong in the morning. All rooms are non-smoking.

A playroom with 1,000 picture books and wooden toys

The playroom inside the pension has more than 1,000 picture books and wooden and fabric toys, so children can pass the time without getting bored. A crib, a baby carrier, a baby chair and a baby cry sensor are provided as on-site equipment, so families with babies can stay with peace of mind. Shogi and go sets are also available to borrow free of charge.

A private-hire jet bath for families

The bath at the pension is not an onsen, but it is a private-hire jet bath that families can have to themselves, so you can take your time with the children without worrying about other guests. It can be used from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. There are also many day-use onsen around Yatsugatake, and the pension publishes an onsen guide to them.

Western-style, Japanese-style tatami and Japanese-Western rooms, with co-sleeping rates

There are 8 rooms in all: mainly Western-style rooms, plus 2 Japanese-Western rooms and 2 Japanese-style tatami rooms, sleeping up to 22 guests in total. Reviews praise the fact that even the rooms with beds have a tatami area where children can co-sleep. You can choose freely among plans with two meals, dinner only, breakfast only or room only. There are also rate categories for children (co-sleeping) and for children about 7 months to 2 years old (co-sleeping, no bedding and no kids' meal), which makes the pension easy to use for families with babies and children.

Meals and things to do nearby

Dinner is a course blending Japanese and Western cooking with local ingredients, and a kids' meal is available too. Breakfast and dinner are served in the dining room. Activities in the area, such as horseback riding (for a fee), can also be arranged.

Access and parking

By car, it is about 30 minutes from Sudama IC on the Chuo Expressway, about 25 minutes from Nagasaka IC, about 35 minutes from Kobuchizawa IC and about 30 minutes from Yachiho Kogen IC on the Chubu-Odan Expressway. By train, get off at Nobeyama Station on the JR Koumi Line, from where it is about 5 minutes by shuttle (please contact the pension in advance). Parking is free for 8 cars. Check-in is at 4 p.m. (last check-in 11 p.m.), checkout is at 10 a.m., and the curfew is 11 p.m.