Pension Mori no Family

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

This is a small 8-room pension on the Nobeyama plateau of 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 on three-generation trips. The plateau sits at high elevation and stays cool even in summer, in a setting rich in nature where you wake to birdsong. All rooms are non-smoking.

A playroom with 1,000 picture books and wooden toys

The playroom inside the pension holds about 1,000 picture books along with wooden and fabric toys, a swing and more, 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. Sets for shogi and go are also available to borrow free of charge.

A jet bath that families can reserve for themselves

The bath at the pension is not an onsen, but it is a jet bath that families can reserve for private use, so parents and children can soak at their own pace 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 an onsen guide appears in the pension's published information.

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

There are 8 rooms in all: 6 Western-style rooms and 2 Japanese-style tatami rooms, sleeping 22 guests in total. Guests note in reviews that the rooms with beds also have a tatami area where children can co-sleep. You can freely choose between two meals, dinner only, breakfast only or room only, and there are rate categories for children (co-sleeping) and for preschool-age children (co-sleeping, no meals), which makes it easy to use for families with babies and young children.

Meals and things to do nearby

Dinner is a course meal blending Japanese and Western cooking with local ingredients, and a kids' meal is available too. Breakfast and dinner are both 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., with the last check-in at 11 p.m., checkout is at 10 a.m., and the curfew is 11 p.m.