天神ロッジ (Tenjin Lodge)

I cannot recommend Tenjin Lodge strongly enough. I am not sure which is the greater draw, the amazing location or the hosts/staff. |I have visited in the winter, and summer. In any season, this is the place to stay if you want to enjoy the great outdoors from a serene, welcoming, relaxing base. Tenjin Lodge is the closest hotel to the Tanigawa ropeway to the top of the mountain. You can walk from the hotel to the ropeway, but the hotel runs a shuttle anytime guests are in need. The mountain offers some of the best powder backcountry skiing in the world, and a few groomed runs as well. In the summer, you can walk across the street to a full service outdoor activity center that will take you rafting or canyoning. There are also several great hikes in walking distance from the hotel. Takaragawa Onsen is a short drive from the hotel, one of the most famous onsens in Japan. There are others in the area as well. The hotel has its own onsens too. It is right on the river, accessible from the beautiful back yard - where barbecues are not infrequent.|The hosts / staff are some of the best in the business, incredibly knowledgeable and friendly. The owner has lived here for 20 years and knows the area very well. Kieran can point you to a restaurant or a swimming hole, or tell you anything you want to know about the area. He is also an accomplished back country ski guide. And he is always happy to have a chin wag in the lobby. It really felt like an old school bed and breakfast, or staying with friends. The resident dogs are super sweet.|The amenities are top notch. Common areas include a welcoming lobby and dining room, men's and women's onsen, and a game room. The hotel has Japanese style tatami / futon rooms in a range of sizes, as well as rooms with beds, and dormitory style rooms. All rooms have a private bathroom, with tub, toilet and shower. Your balcony offers beautiful views of the river and surrounding mountains. The meals laid out by the hotel are lavish and power-packed, leaving you fully fueled or refueled for your day's activities. Yes, there is free wifi, too.|If you want to see the best outdoor life Japan has to offer, or just get out of Tokyo for a bit, I suggest going to see your new old friends at Tenjin Lodge!

My wife and I recently had the pleasure of staying at Tenjin Lodge Minakami, and I cannot recommend it highly enough. The experience was nothing short of spectacular, thanks to the warm hospitality, stunning location, and comfortable accommodations. Here’s why you should consider staying at Tenjin Lodge: 1. Price: Very Reasonable Tenjin Lodge offers incredible value for money. Given the top-notch service, location, and amenities, the pricing is very fair, especially considering the quality experience. Whether you’re here for a winter adventure or a relaxing getaway, the price makes it accessible for all types of travelers. 2. Location: Perfect for Ski Enthusiasts Tenjin Lodge is ideally situated for ski lovers. With close proximity to the slopes, you’re just moments away from hitting the snow. If skiing isn’t your thing, the surrounding snowy landscape offers a beautiful winter wonderland atmosphere, perfect for anyone wanting to escape into nature. 3. Customer Service: Outstanding What really sets Tenjin Lodge apart is the outstanding customer service. Kirin, the Aussie owner who’s lived in Japan for 23 years, alongside Nana and Ken-San, the ski instructor, and the rest of the team, go above and beyond to ensure a comfortable and memorable stay. Every staff member is attentive, courteous, and always ready to help. Their hospitality makes the experience truly special. 4. Rooms: Clean and Spacious The rooms at Tenjin Lodge are spacious and clean, with options ranging from family-sized rooms to cozy accommodations for couples. Each room is well-maintained and comfortable, offering a perfect retreat after a day on the slopes. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, with a rustic charm that adds to the lodge’s overall appeal. 5. Family and Lounge Area: Relax and Unwind One of the highlights is the cozy family and lounge area, complete with a warm fireplace. It’s the ideal spot to unwind, relax, and enjoy a drink before or after dinner. Whether you’re enjoying a hot drink with loved ones or simply reading a book by the fire, it’s the perfect setting to relax and recharge. 6. Board Games and Books for Relaxation For those who prefer a quieter evening, Tenjin Lodge offers a variety of board games and books. It’s a great way to enjoy quality time with family or friends, or simply kick back with a good read. 7. Free Pick-Up from Minakami Station The lodge offers a free pick-up service from Minakami Station, which makes the arrival process very convenient. This thoughtful touch eliminates the stress of figuring out transportation upon arrival, especially for guests unfamiliar with the area. 8. Special Transfer to Minakami Station Tenjin Lodge also offers a special transfer service to Minakami Station, making departure smooth and easy. It’s perfect for guests who want a hassle-free return journey. 9. Excellent Ski and Snowboarding Instruction Whether you’re a beginner or looking to improve your skills, Tenjin Lodge offers expert ski and snowboarding lessons with Ken-San, the highly experienced instructor. His friendly and patient teaching style ensures that even newcomers to skiing or snowboarding will feel confident on the slopes. Overall Experience Tenjin Lodge Minakami offers an exceptional experience from start to finish. The hosts are incredibly warm, the atmosphere is inviting, and the service is impeccable. Whether you’re visiting as a family, couple, or solo traveler, Tenjin Lodge is a perfect place to relax, enjoy the outdoors, and take in the winter beauty of Minakami. Highly Recommended I highly recommend Tenjin Lodge to anyone looking for a fantastic winter getaway. With excellent customer service, a beautiful location, and an array of amenities that suit all types of travelers, it’s an unforgettable experience. I look forward to returning!

I never thought I would ever experience too much snow.I have been boarding for over 30 years in many countries and have never had the combination of terrain ,constant fresh lines and lack of punters.Get there ASAP as this is an experience you will struggle to match. Buzz

Superb experience. Off the beaten track but reveals the true beauty of Japanese nature winter or summer especially beautiful! Quality experience and awesome value. So much outdoor fun for all ages. And so affordable you can bring the whole family for a week or to remember.

We just got back from Staying at Tenjin Lodge and it was one of the best family vacations we've ever been on! We went hiking 2x with some friendly help from the owner and enjoyed white water rafting with our 3 kids. The mountains around the lodge are absolutely majestic. Breakfast and dinner were delicious and they even surprised me with a birthday cake! This lodge is so friendly and laid back. The star of the show had to be the world's friendliest dog, Lucky, who loves to be petted and play with kids. We'd love to visit again in summer to go bungee jumping and again in winter for skiing/snowboarding. Highly recommended!

The best place to stay to explore Tenjin. I’ve done a lot of skiing and snowboarding around the world. Tenjin is the best runs I’ve ever had! It’s not an easy going family resort (I think it only has 3 groomed runs), Tenjin is for powderhounds and is an epic backcountry playground.||||I can’t recommend guiding with Kieren enough! Tenjin is wonderful but it can be avalanche prone. Having a guide who has lived there for 10 years and knows the mountain like the back of his hand is just invaluable.||||Kieren kept us safe and always found the best lines on the mountain. I strongly recommend guiding, even if you’re a seasoned backcountry rider. One of the days we had an ex pro snowboarder (who has ridden for over 40 years around the world), he still used a guide to explore the mountain.||||Tenjin is one of Japans best kept snow secrets. Shhhhh

What an absolutely amazing stay and it exceeded all expectations. Kieren was the consummate host and a wonderful guide and chef. Nena was really welcoming and was so great to see each morning and evening. And Caleb was a great tail guide and really quite the interesting person helping us to climb the peak and taking photos along the way. The lodge was fun and rustic and provided all the amenities we needed. I loved the drying room, the dining room, and the lounge area as well as the Onsen and the showers in the rooms. The food was top notch and Kieren guided us around the peak, the tenjindawe ski area as well as Hodougi and gave us some really funny stories as well as local knowledge. Such a great experience and we’ll be back for sure.

Stayed here unplanned after a long climb on Tanigawa. Was welcomed by a very fluffy receptionist. Food was great, bed was big and comfy (which is very rare for a 200cm giant), with a peaceful river view. They have a little hot spring which was desperately needed after that long climb. Owner was very friendly and cooked a great home made dinner and breakfast. Highly recommend