Hotel Sierra Resort Yuzawa in Yuzawa

This is my second time staying at this minshuku.

The dinner was thoughtfully prepared and
changed every day during our three-night stay — no repetition at all. Each meal was delicious and clearly made with great care.

The staff were incredibly warm and attentive. There were team members who spoke both Chinese and Japanese. Their sincerity and friendliness made us feel like we were being welcomed into a friend’s home.

They also kindly helped arrange luggage transport to and from the parking area, which was a big help.

Overall, it was a very relaxing and pleasant experience, and we truly appreciated the hospitality.

Difficult to obtain hotel email, must call. Essential to book shuttle bus and arrange other services. Best way to obtain hotel email address is to submit inquiry via their hotel website and allow 3 business days for a response. Everything is easier once you get their initial reply. Shibata is amazing and all the other hotel staff are helpful and welcoming. Please be polite and use the translation app when you arrive as English is not their first language, but they really try to be helpful and communicate with you with translation app. Ski rentals and lift passes are also cheaper if you book with Sierra hotel! Great ski-in and ski-out option. Must arrange for shuttle bus pick up to/from Echigo Yuzawa station because you'll need their help to cross the snow with your luggage while you walk through the tunnel. Onsen is great.

*A Heartwarming Encounter in Echigo-Yuzawa: A Different Accommodation Option for Chinese Friends*

We're from Taiwan. Last September, to fit our group's subsequent trip to Tokyo, we started searching for suitable ski resorts and accommodations in Hokkaido and the Kanto region.

It wasn't until October that we finally focused on Echigo-Yuzawa.

Searching around the train station, trying to find ski resorts and accommodations suitable for beginners within a limited budget was incredibly difficult.

We scoured Booking.com, Trip.com, and Rakuten Japan, but couldn't find anything satisfactory—either the prices were too high, or the food didn't meet our needs.

Later, we filtered based on ski resort difficulty, run width, and safety, finally settling on Iwahara Ski Resort, the most snowboard-friendly resort.

*A Cozy Guesthouse Hidden in the Heart of the Ski Resort*

Iwahara Ski Resort's unique features captivated me.

After repeatedly searching on Google Maps, I unexpectedly discovered a cluster of guesthouses nestled in the heart of the resort.

One of the businesses had a friendly Chinese website. After contacting them via Line, I discovered the owner was a Chinese woman who had been working in Japan for many years.

During our conversation, they patiently and kindly answered all our questions.

Due to flight delays, we arrived much later than expected.

The owner specially arranged for a helper to assist with our luggage. We chatted for a while and discovered the helper was also Taiwanese.

The owner smiled and said she specifically hired Taiwanese staff because she particularly liked the temperament and warmth of Taiwanese people.

We had a very pleasant conversation, and I even asked the helper for some skiing tips.

《A Bowl of Sesame Oil Chicken: The Warmest Home-Style Taste in a Foreign Land》

During our communication in Taiwan, I learned that the owner loved Taiwanese culture and tea ceremony, so I specially prepared Taiwanese postcards and Lishan tea to share with her.

While enjoying tea, I suggested writing an article to promote the guesthouse, but she calmly replied, "More than seeking fame, I value the process of connecting with each traveler. My primary goal is to serve every friend who has traveled from afar and let everyone enjoy this beautiful scenery."

Nevertheless, I still want to recommend their hospitality.

On our arrival night, after dinner time, the owner, knowing we had just arrived from Taiwan to cold Japan and desperately needed hot food, specially cooked a pot of sesame oil chicken for us. That gesture remains vivid in my memory.

The subsequent dishes, though not elaborate, were full of homely warmth; even after dining at various upscale restaurants in Tokyo, the most unforgettable memory remains that "cooking with mom."

**Professionalism and Passion: A Teaching Experience That Transcends Barriers**

Besides accommodation and dining, the owner also introduced us to Chinese coaches studying in Japan.

Don't let their student status fool you; many of them are pursuing master's degrees in Japan, not only obtaining professional certifications in their spare time but also participating in formal competitions.

Compared to other instructors in the industry, these prices are relatively affordable, yet their teaching quality is in no way inferior.

More importantly, because we are all Chinese, communication was completely barrier-free, allowing us beginners to learn very thoroughly.

As someone who has been through it, I also specially sent postcards to the Taiwanese tea and instructors to share, thanking them for their generous sharing.

If you have the opportunity to come here in the future, I highly recommend participating in the instructor courses recommended by the hostess, and please don't hesitate to interact with these excellent young people.

《The Meaning of Travel: Letting Go of Prejudice, Feeling the Warmth》

This is the winter before I turn 30, and I am very fortunate to have experienced this kind of inspiration in this land.

Every time I travel, I bring Taiwanese postcards, wanting to share the beauty of Taiwan with the world.

Perhaps some people who grew up in Taiwan may have prejudices against China due to historical or political factors, making it difficult to open their hearts and experience it, which is truly a pity.

"One's environment shapes one's character," we should cherish the purity of human interaction and not let ideology blind us.

Living in Japan long-term is not easy. As a traveler, I could only experience a few things, but I could still sense the oppressive atmosphere of the country.

I believe no country is perfect, but with a positive attitude, one can experience the beauty of connecting with strangers.

Back in Taiwan, I was busy with work, and it's already after the New Year when I'm writing this, but I haven't forgotten my promise to the hostess.

I dedicate this post to wishing well to all travelers who have passed through, and I look forward to reuniting with them in a future snow season.

I believe every encounter is a reunion after a long separation, and this friendship should be cherished.

I sincerely recommend this warm and welcoming hostel to every Chinese friend who loves to travel.

Best resort in Echiko yuzaw

The hotel view is stunning.

Great little hotel on the slopes of iwaparra.

- Very beautiful environment, located in the middle of the Iwahara Ski Trail
- You can ski-in-ski-out and slide directly down the mountain
- You can rent ski equipment inside, no need to wash and crowd
- The room is comfortable, the space is large, and the view is good
- With baths
- Breakfast is average

The hotel shuttle bus has a timetable that you can ask for. The hotel is located in the Iwhara Ski Resort. It is recommended to rent ski equipment directly from the hotel. The hotel staff are very friendly and the service is very good. The room is clean and spacious. Although the hot spring is not large, it is clean and comfortable. The scenery in the lobby and restaurant is very good. Overall, I am very satisfied with the experience.

We visited in January with my family of four, and in March with my siblings' families, a total of ten people.
The staff were all very friendly, the facilities were clean, the breakfast and dinner were delicious, the location was great, and the whole family was very satisfied.
We hope to come again next season. Thank you for all your help!!