everything is excellent

I stayed at Skala Inn in early March and caught some of the best snow days of the season. It was my first time back in Hakuba since my childhood and the hospitality at Skala was above and beyond. We really enjoyed this classic “pension” style inn for so many reasons but here are a list of the top 5: 1. Super friendly family-run business. This is a second generation run business (grandmother passed on the business to her daughter but grandmother is still working/helping out). Needless to say, I really hope these small, family owned businesses can continue to survive in these ski resort destinations. They are such a gem. 2. The free shuttle that stops right in front of the Skala during the winter season that makes the stops in town and to all the mountains in the area. 3. The overall vibe of Skala is just peaceful and full of warmth. I hope to stay there again in early Fall (for some hiking) and winter. The rooms were perfect and our bathroom was really spacious. 4. Breakfast was great. They changed it up everyday for us and every morning it was a delight. 5. Skala has this amazing collection of Azechi Umetaro prints. His prints are hung throughout the Inn and it’s amazing. The innkeepers even gave us a little tour and showed us some prints that are kept in the back. This is the sort of place you’d want to come back to year after year, whether solo traveling or with family. Can’t recommend it enough.

Stayed in March 2024

nothing

I feel very fortunate to have booked such a wonderful homestay in Hakuba. The landlord and his wife were incredibly friendly. We stayed in Hakuba for 6 days, and every day was very clean and hygienic, for which we are very grateful to the staff of Skala. The location of the homestay is right next to the food street, and there is a shuttle bus station right outside the door, making it very convenient to reach various ski resorts! One thing to note is that restaurants on the food street need to be booked 1 to 3 days in advance. You can ask the landlord for help with reservations, otherwise you might end up like us, wandering around the food street with nowhere to eat on the first day :( Fortunately, we bought instant noodles at Jiahjiah supermarket and thanks to Asako for providing us with a microwave to heat up food, she's really friendly. And the breakfast at this homestay is very, very delicious. The first thing every morning is to have a hearty breakfast before going skiing, making life simple and happy. This was truly an unforgettable trip, looking forward to meeting Skala again!

Stayed in February 2024

Lovely stay with lovely hosts, in a beautiful inn. Breakfast was great, nice lounge.

Stayed in March 2024

Wanted to stay longer 😁

The hospitality the great food, kind warm and extremely helpful people, good English and very attentive.

Stayed in March 2024

Breakfast could have been more extensive

Stayed in March 2024

Host friendliness and helpfulness went above and beyond to ensure our experience at hakuba was amazing.

Stayed in March 2024

N/A

Osamu and Asiko are great hosts. Their family looked after us so well. We were collected from the bus station at Happo, then taken to rental, then to Skala. Our room was very light and airy. Beds very comfortable. Good breakfast with homemade bread etc. There is a relaxing lounge for the evening with a fire and massage chair. A 3 minute or 5 minute stroll to 2 different bus stops for skiing. A 10 minute stroll to restaurants, cafe, supermarket etc into town. There are many other restaurants in the side streets near Skala or the Marriot. There is a vending machine for beers, soft drink or from the bar at Skala. Tea is available self help from the bar all day. This is our second time staying at Skala and it did not disappointment.

Stayed in February 2024

Staff are so lovely and the accommodation very charming.

Stayed in February 2024

If you want to experience Japanese homie style this place I would highly recommend. Osamu, Asako and his family run this place so well, great hospitality, warm and homie. From photo might look old, but it is better in reality it is well maintained. The building has some history and story to tell. My stay with them is short, but connected with the whole family instantly. It is emotional to say good bye, definitely come back!

Stayed in February 2024

It was very clean and quite a beautiful accomodation. Very cosy.

Stayed in February 2024

It was all really enjoyable.

The staff was amazing and really made the experience extra special. They went above and beyond by picking us up from the train station, helping us organise snow gear hire and looked after us through the whole trip.

Stayed in February 2024

We needed to use the snow shuttle service, it would have been much better if the resort ran more buses and ran them all day into the evening, as we were otherwise quite remote.

Our hosts were charming and very considerate. They made us very welcome. The Skala Inn is very comfortable.

Stayed in February 2024

The only downside was we could everything from the next room, and for 2 nights had very loud neighbours coming in late and keeping us awake. Earplugs fixed this, but good to be aware if you are a light sleeper.

Skala Inn was a wonderful place to stay for our visit to Hakuba. We came for the skiing/snowboarding, and the inn is conveniently located near a shuttle bus stop for the main resorts. We also got picked up/dropped off at the bus station at the beginning and end of our trip which made everything so much easier with all of our gear. There is a dry room for snow equipment, cheap laundry, and also public bath downstairs in the property. The main shared space is great for chatting to other visitors and having a drink at the end of the day. And there is a free massage chair! Please try the homemade plum wine - it is outstanding! And the breakfast was fabulous as well, including hot and cold elements and plenty of choice.

Stayed in February 2024

Nothing… everything was fantastic!

We had the most amazing trip in Hakuba at the Skala Inn. Osamu and his wife made everyone feel so welcome and couldn’t do enough for you. Fresh breakfast every morning, a cosy homely lounge area with a wood burner for relaxing evenings after skiing. Lovely clean rooms with a good shower room. Ski equipment storage room with laundry facilities was very handy. Bus stops very close for free shuttle to various resorts. Would highly recommend and hoping to return next year!

Stayed in February 2024

Extremely friendly and welcoming family run accommodation. The accommodation was spotless for the entire stay. Good variety for breakfast.

Stayed in February 2024

Everything was enjoyable and you well accommodated for.

This inn is the cosiest and most comforting place to return to after a day on the slopes. You’re greeted by the warmth of the fireplace and golden glow of ornate lamps and lighting. Being a comfortable size, you don’t have to worry about trekking far from your room to the many available ammenities and you’re always warmly greeted by the gracious hosts Osamu-san, his wife Asako-san, and their lovely staff.

Stayed in February 2024

Very friendly staff. The owner (Mr. Osamu) picked me up and dropped me off at the Hakuba JR station. I also shipped my snowboard bag before I arrived, and they were very kind to keep my board for a few weeks. The place has a bus stop that makes it easy to access a few resorts like Happo One, 47. It is also walkable distance to the Echoland area - where it has dozens of restaurants and bars.

Stayed in January 2024

We loved everything about Skala Inn. Thank you for making our trip in Hakuba so memorable

Stayed in February 2024

The only thing was that our room was sometimes a little cold, but apart from that our stay was perfect

Location was perfect and breakfast was really great each day!

Stayed in February 2024

The Skala Inn is a quaint, family-run inn that is only about a 10 minute walk from the main drag of Echoland. The inn has a lounge with an upright piano, a massage chair, a couple couches, and a full bar. I can’t remark enough on how nice and hospitable the owners are. On our arrival day, we were picked up by one of the owners from the bus station and were driven directly to a ski shop (Lion Gear Rental, formerly Rainbow Rental)** where we rented skis and ski gear. He was very kind and waited for us while we selected all of our equipment. On the day of check-out, we were driven to the bus station. My partner and I stayed two nights in a private room with a private bath. The inn has prepared breakfast buffet complete with juices, coffee ,and tea. The owners also take a photo of your party at check-out to save to a series of memory books, which date back to the late 1980s! The Skala Inn is also very close to a bus stop that will take you to the ski areas only minutes away. Be sure to arrive to the stops earlier than the planned departure. For ski passes, the Skala Inn offers discounted ski passes via card that is purchased for 100 JPY per ticket. **Lion Gear Rental offered a 20% deal for staying at the Skala Inn, *AND* they even picked up the ski gear from the inn after our day of skiing.

Stayed in January 2024

Nothing

Great location in the forest and a convenient location for accessing a number of ski fields. An easy walk down to Echo Land. Great breakfasts and a relaxing lounge for evenings around the fireplace.

Stayed in February 2024

Everything was exceptional. Osamu and his family work extremely hard consistently to make sure everything is perfect for their guests and it shows.

Skala Inn is an exceptional place to stay in Hakuba and you quite literally will not find anywhere better. Osamu and his lovely family are beyond accommodating and will do anything to assist you or make you more comfortable. Beautiful shared areas with massage chair and sunken bar are amazing. Daily breakfast is exceptional - buffet with fresh pastries, fruit, vegetables, miso, rice, cereal, toast and condiments as well as a daily-changing cooked hot breakfast. Rooms (double western and japanese-style we booked) are quite, warm and comfortable with amazing views out over the forest. Great dry room, ski/board storage and washing facilities. Something reviewers leave out is that the inn in Echoland is actually perfectly placed for the ski bus route to most resorts - not only is it right outside the property, but it is at the start of the route meaning you always get a seat. The Inn is also only an approximate 10 minute walk from Echoland main street and you can cut through the forest and be in Hakuba town in a 15 minute walk. Exceptional property and hosts - will be coming back.

Stayed in February 2024

Great spot in Hakuba! Exceptionally clean rooms and shared spaces. Delicious and plentiful breakfast. Staff are all amazing, friendly, helpful and welcoming. Free parking available and spacious dry room. Highly recommend.

Stayed in February 2024

The hosts were amazing, super helpful particularly in organising getting our taxi back to nagano.

Stayed in January 2024