3*+ M Hotel

This is a modern, simply styled hotel just off the Main Street running through Hirafu resort. I had a decent sized en-suite room with comfortable bed. Breakfast was included with a good selection of hot and cold food. Friendly, helpful staff. There’s no actual residents’ lounge, but there are a few good bars a short walk away. Ski and boot storage on site. Close to ski shuttle bus stop, but only a 10-15 minute walk to the nearest chairlift, which will get you into the Hirafu resort. Great location and good value for money.

A no-frills hotel, but a very comfortable room, with facilities including a microwave (complete with instructions on what setting to use to heat glasses of sake!). Its central position in Hirafu is just 30 yards from the stop for the free shuttle bus - and there are several very good and reasonably-priced places to eat within a few minutes' walk. The hotel has a European rather than Japanese feel to it, and the buffet breakfast is perfectly ok, but limited to the normal western selections of bacon, sausages, eggs, toast, cereals etc rather than having any real Japanese options.