There’s a large hotel at Lake Hamana. It’s a Mercure hotel, and it’s the kind of place that makes you wonder, “Why is a place like this in the middle of the countryside?” From what I know, it seems they took over an old hotel, renovated it, and reopened, so while the layout feels a bit dated, the internal service seems quite good.

The Lounge

The lounge offers unlimited beer twice a day. They have snacks too… I felt like I’d already gotten my money’s worth just by having a few beers here. Since I traveled all this way, a service like this is very welcome.

The Atmosphere

It’s packed. The room rates aren’t that expensive, so with this level of service, it’s no wonder it’s popular.

Hotel Interior

It’s a bit old, but the space is huge. Even in Japan, you can find great value hotels if you head out to the countryside.

The Terrace

It was winter, so the wind was incredibly strong, and I saw migratory birds flying around.

Migratory Birds

The scenery was amazing… but the wind was just too strong, which was a problem.

The Trees

It has a bit of a resort vibe, but the wind was so strong I actually felt sorry for the trees.

The Pool

Since it’s winter, there are only traces of it left.

Since I was getting around by car, I didn’t get a chance to take a photo of the entire hotel exterior. I just know that it’s quite large. I’m not entirely sure what exactly draws people all the way out here, but with the hotel and the hot springs, it’s a pretty enjoyable place to visit.

한국어로 읽기日本語で読む