The beds are a little old and creaky.

Our family of 5 adults enjoyed a six night stay in Appi Kogen in three double bedrooms at Appi Life is Beautiful. The location is nice, within the village. Tom runs you up the hill to the ski resort each morning and picks you up at the end of the day. Breakfast was simple Japanese selection each morning. There was always plenty. The room was warm and had a nice bay window. The best part of the stay is Tom the owner who is friendly and funny. A true character. Overall we had a great stay.

Stayed in January 2024

The communal room wasn’t very comfortable. A few couches would be great.

The location is great, the dinners were fabulous & Tom & the team were more than accomodating for any request.

Stayed in February 2024

There is no elevator, which is a bit inconvenient for the elderly.

Comfortable environment and delicious food. Our family have a very happy time here.

Stayed in November 2023

The room was very dark and smoky, possibly from wood heating method (not sure)

The surrounding is great. Beautiful location.

Stayed in September 2023

lovely guesthouse for the money. food in the restaurant was amazing!

Stayed in March 2023

Cozy room with floor heating not so common in hotels/ hostels in Japan. The hot bath is based on 1hr slot booking so is good for visitors who prefer private ofuro apres ski. Pickup and drop off at the ski center is convenient as the bus to the Morioka station departs from there. Though the timing may be about 1hr apart, the canteen at the ski center has wide variety of food to enjoy while waiting.

Stayed in January 2023

Lighting in the room is a bit dim but it didnt bother me

Warm and friendly hosts. I had a couple of personal issues during my stay and they helped willingly. Guesthouse is about 1km from the ski hill but Tom san does a great job getting everyone to and from the mountain. Meals were excellent especially the Sunday night BBQ. Wow!! Front desk has discounted ski passes. Rooms are spacious, have a nice view, private bathroom, heating and wi-fi all good.

Stayed in February 2023

Bed was too soft

All staffs were so nice and helpful. Dinner were very good

Stayed in February 2023

The owner, Saito san is very nice and friendly. He helps promptly whenever and whatever guests need.

Stayed in December 2022

nothing

Comfortable place

Stayed in October 2022

Hosts could not be more accommodating. Pick you up from the station, drop you to the ski slopes and make delicious food- to suit your taste. I recommend Japanese every time. The sushi was the best we have ever had. Really worth a return trip!

Stayed in April 2024

Bill

The lodge is walking distance to the ski resort and the food is delicious for both breakfast and dinner. Free shuttle was offered to and from the ski resort (but I walked since as it was not snowing and I needed the warm up stroll). Refreshing trip.

Stayed in February 2024

Breakfasts are japanese.. But really that just adds to the enjoyment. Eating something different to most ski lodges.. So really not a issue for me but might scare a few that want more western style breakfast

Very nice husband and wife place.. Very welcoming to me as I was the only non local there... beautiful people as in the name.. will be staying there next time I'm in appi... language barrier was easily sorted.. I felt right at home...

Stayed in February 2024

The drying room was a bit hectic and it was hard to find room to store our stuff.

The atmosphere, the staff, the food!! The ensuites were clean and large with good hot water. The floors were heated, so the rooms were very cosy. Enough hanging space. Good wifi. Basic but satisfying morning breakfast. Amazing 3 course dinners! The BBQ was next level amazing! The owners are kind and very attentive. And the dog BonBon is the cutest!

Stayed in February 2024

Owner was super helpful and friendly. Room clean and comfortable. Well priced

Stayed in February 2024

The food was a real disappointment, bordering on embarassing, especially dinner. There was not nearly enough food for people burning up calories skiing - more like entree size - and also was very poor quality and compares extremely unfavourably to places nearby I have stayed at previously. In addition, my food allergies (acknowledged upon booking) were ignored by the kitchen. Breakfast was passable. There are more food options available externally than there used to be, so next time I wouldn't be booking dinner.

The place was simple but aesthetically pleasing, and most impotantly it was clean, tidy and warm.

Stayed in January 2024

Beds are way too soft and terrible. Seemed like sumo wrestlers slept there before. They should be changed. Was just an OK sleep and glad I ended up booking only one night. Room is outdated, but it was ok for the duration of the stay. Dinner and breakfast were good. Overall an OK stay if you get a good price, otherwise would rather pay a bit more and stay in the hotels next to Appi Kogen slopes.

Super friendly staff. A bit hard to communicate ahead of the stay but we finally understood there’s not really a storage area inside the lodge for bags. We came up on the morning bus from Morioka to Appi Kogen and wanted to ski that same day. There are big and small lockers at the resort day lodge (“Appi Plaza”). Little private bath (“onsen”) inside the lodge is extra charge and not included by default. Owners drive to ski resort in the morning (8am-9am) and back in the afternoon (4pm-5pm) free of charge.

Stayed in January 2024

Rooms are basic, but we knew that upfront. Plus, this makes the price good! Lqte afternoon we sat on the veranda and in the evening we stayed downstairs for a bit. Everything worked out fine!

The owner is such a kind person. Trying to help where he can. Helped us with finding lively hikes. He and his staff cook fantastic! Such a treat in the evening.

Stayed in August 2023

Room was stuffed, small! We has dinner+breakfast included and were disappointed! Breakfast was mainly Asian although most guests were Western. Dinner was limited and we were left with bitter taste :( Taking off shoes @the enterance is fine, just get it organised so people can come in without stepping on other people's shoes!

Location of the hotel

Stayed in August 2023

Second time in Appi, stayed last time in their sister pension (Appi Arts Colors), so I knew to expect the best in terms of location, great food, and the amazing hospitality from Tom and his family. Room had private bathroom and is designed to make the best of natural light. Made good friends there and can't wait for the next season!

Stayed in March 2023

none

the bed was very comfortable. our host, Mr. SATO and Mrs SATO are very kind people. there is a very lovely dog

Stayed in February 2023

Nothing

The warm welcome and fantastic home cooked food. Great little private onsen. Tom and family are really nice people and always on hand to help. Lift to and from ski resort and train station is a big help. I will be back again.

Stayed in January 2023

everything was perfect for our short little japan stay

Tom and his wife made us feel right at home the second we arrived. from upgrading our room to be more comfortable to the amazing home cooked meals everyday and Toms humour made our stay unforgettable! the aloe resort is literally 3 minutes drive and Tom takes guests up each morning and brings them back! we had a car so we drove up but the location is perfect! thanks Tom you have made our trip a memorable one!

Stayed in January 2023

Ski storage area was a little cramped

A perfectly located hotel, with take friendly staff.

Stayed in January 2023