Traditional with a twist: Tatami Rooms

 

Gakuto Lodge was built in 1963, and was originally a private chalet for a Japanese company. It served many years as a tranquil place where employees could recharge after months of diligent work. The natural landscapes and friendly people of Hakuba formed the perfect combination for a holiday retreat.

 

The Lodge became a popular hotel for skiiers in 2000, and has recently joined Gakuto Villas in providing a modern level of comfort for visitors year round. Respecting the environment and its history, most features of the Lodge have been kept intact.

 

 

 

The Lodge Manager – Kazuhiko Yokokawa

Born and raised in Hakuba, Yokokawa-san knows everything there is know about the area. At an early age, he was an Alpine ski racer of the Hakuba ski club, helping to develop the sport of ski racing in Japan. Starting at just 23 years old, he served 10 years as a member of the Japanese National ski team, and even competed at the Alpine Ski World Cup, which brought him to Europe and North America.

Since 2000, he has been the indispensable jack-of-all trades at Gakuto Alpine Lodge, where he can be found working everywhere, from the kitchen, to the front desk, to even the utilities room! If you’re lucky, you might even find him at Happo One’s ski school passing down his skills to the next generation of skiers!

We are delighted and honored to have such a knowledgeable and experienced Local Manager to look after Gakuto Villas. We are confident that Yokokawa-san and his family will provide only the best service to all our guests and ensure they have a memorable stay.