Lac Ogawara

Our base for 2 nights. Everything was perfect: helpful staff, location, room, breakfast.

We drove from Shin Aomori Station on Japan’s meticulously maintained highway system to arrive at the Hotel Yutoria in about three hours including numerous breaks along the way. The hotel is located in a postcard like setting in Fujisato, Akita Ken. Without doubt the hotel is on the older side but this did nit have any bearing on our stay. From arrival to departure (two nights) the staff was friendly and helpful. Our room was excellent and a wonderful reprieve from the tiny rooms we have been staying at while sticking to our travel budget. Besides the large traditional tatami room the hotel has an excellent onsen located on site. Both the breakfast and dinners were very well prepared and presented. Overall, we enjoyed our stay and felt we received excellent value for the cost. We will visit this area again in the fall and enjoy hiking in the mountains when the autumn colours are on full display. Finally, just a short walk from the hotel is the UNESCO designated Shirakami Sanchi forest interpretation centre. When staying at the hotel Yutoria you are in this beautiful area. I would recommend visitors give this area a try as a change from or in addition to Tokyo, Kyoto and so on. The area is also accessible by air to the nearby Noshiro airport.