Wadagoya｜The ultimate inn where you can have the morning powder all to yourself｜Kagura

photo/ Daigo Onozuka, Daiceman, steep

The best quality for a ski mountain hut that can be immersed in powder

Wada Hut is located at an altitude of 1,380m halfway up Kagura Ski Resort, which boasts one of the largest amounts of snow in Japan. It is operated by Prince Hotel along with the ski resort. It is used as a lunch spot during the day and as a mountain hut where you can stay overnight from the evening.

Because it is located in the middle of the slopes, in the winter when there is a lot of snow, the only way to get here is by skiing or snowboarding, making it a mountain hut for skiers. A plan to ski powder with this Wada hut as a base has been attracting attention for the past few years.

If you stay at Wada hut...

Kagura Ski Resort opens at 7:30 on weekends and holidays (from 8:00 on weekdays), but on weekends and holidays after a snowfall, lines form at the Ropeway Sanroku Station at the entrance of the ski resort at 7:00. Popular.

To get to the Kagura Main Slope, take the ropeway from Tashiro, Mitsumata, and the two Sanrokuguchis, then take a lift and a gondola, and it takes about 30 to 40 minutes. In other words, even if you line up early in the morning to board the first ropeway, you won't be able to actually start skiing on the Kagura slopes until after 8:00.

However, if you stay at Wada-goya, you will already be halfway up the slopes by the 7:30 opening time. After a few minutes, it will be possible to start sliding from the top.

Fast track privilege only given to 20 people

This is exactly the first track privilege given to only 20 hut guests. In addition to the beautifully groomed main slopes, in the morning after a snowfall, you can have exclusive access to the giant course and technical course powder. Even if you come from the foot of the mountain on the first ropeway, the slopes have already been ravaged by trucks.

If you stay at Wada-goya, you can use the No. 1 Expressway, the main lift that runs right next to it. In about 30 to 40 minutes when customers from the foot of the mountain come up to the slopes, they can make 3 to 4 turns on this No. 1 Expressway. Already, the slope powder alone is exhausting.

After skiing down the slopes, go to the No. 5 Romance Lift (commonly known as Goroma), which opens at 9:30 (9:00 on weekends and holidays). From here, the forest expert course and off-piste side country powder are waiting for you.

Don't underestimate it as just a mountain hut

In this way, Wada Hut, where you can monopolize the most cool "Asaichi Kagura", should not be underestimated as just a mountain hut. Its comfort is also very popular.

Anyway, the facilities and services are quite substantial. A flush toilet with hot water washing function and a bathroom with a shower are also available. The windows have double sashes, and the heating works efficiently. Even in winter, the inside of the building is warm enough to wear shorts and a T-shirt.

The accommodation space is the type where the floor with tatami mats is separated by curtains. The futon bedding, top sheets, and pillowcases are freshly prepared every day and are extremely comfortable. The communication situation is good, and if you have mobile WIFI, you can enjoy Netflix without stress.

Public spaces with roaring fireplaces and large TVs are also very cozy. In addition to selling draft beer, there is also a beer vending machine, and it is relatively tolerant about bringing in alcohol. The meals, which are rich in taste, variety, and volume, have a good reputation, and the same dinner is not served for consecutive nights.

The price has been slightly raised from the 2020-21 season, but it is still a bargain at 10,000 yen (tax included/2020 season) for one night and two meals.

Solo skiers can feel free to spend time without discomfort

As with other mountain huts, there are many people staying alone as well as in groups, so solo skiers and snowboarders can feel at ease here. This is what Wada-koya looks like this season. There is a partition with a curtain, so you can secure a space for one person, so you can relax comfortably and comfortably.

The bedding is soft and warm. We promise you a restful sleep on our cozy futon. Get a good night's sleep, recharge your energy, and enjoy the morning's powder to the fullest.

Access to the backcountry is also from Wada hut

There are many plans for staying at Wada hut on tours of guide clubs that enjoy backcountry and powder. It seems that there are quite a lot of repeaters.

An example of Wadagoya life

The model plan and lifestyle for 2 days and 1 night at Wada hut is like this.

<Day 1>
7:30 (weekdays 8:00) to 14:30 Check-in at the Mitsumata Ski Area Office, leave your luggage at Wada Hut and enjoy skiing and snowboarding Check-in at
Wada Hut by 16:00 17:00
: 00 Create your own sleeping space ~ Take a bath
18:00 Dinner
19:00 Enjoy mountain hut night
22:00 Go to bed

〈Day 2〉
7:00 Breakfast
7:30 (weekdays 8:00) Fast track start
9:30 (Saturdays and holidays 9:00) Summit No. 5 romance lift opens
15:00 Pick up luggage from Wada hut Shimoyama
16:00 Wash off your sweat at a nearby hot spring and go home

In the 2020-21 season, due to the influence of the corona, the business will be reduced to avoid crowds, and accommodation will be limited to specific days such as Saturdays, year-end and New Year holidays, and Golden Week. There are some things that are not the same as before, but the charm of enjoying Kagura powder after a snowfall has not diminished.

■ Sales information for 2020-2021 (as of October 28, 2020)

1 night 2 days (including dinner and breakfast)
Adult 10,000 yen / Child 8,000 yen (up to elementary school student)

[Guest benefits]
・Fast track: Free (may be canceled due to weather)
・Lift ticket 3,400 yen x number of days
*11 on the day of stay: 2,200 yen after 30. Visitors after 2:00 PM can ride the ropeway and gondola for free in the afternoon of the same day (provided they purchase a lift ticket for the next day

)
. Check-out 9:00 AM
*Reservations are required for lodging
*Bathrooms, coin lockers, and shops
available