Hidden Mountain Hotel in Japan | Mt. Fuji & Matsumoto Castle, Sea of Clouds

Hidden Mountain Hotel in Japan | Mt. Fuji & Matsumoto Castle, Sea of Clouds

Hello from Matsumoto Station in Nagano.I’m finally heading to Ougatō Hotel — a place I’ve dreamed of visiting. They call it a “Sky Hotel,” standing all alone at the top of a mountain. Here, you can take in the endless scenery with your whole body. It’s so hard to reserve a room — I’ve been wishing to visit for so long. And today… that wish finally comes true. We’re climbing higher and higher into the mountains. Just imagining the views waiting for us makes me so happy☺️ We’ve finally arrived — Ougatō Hotel. Wow… the sky feels close enough to touch! Altitude: 2,034 meters above sea level. A popular hideaway hotel standing quietly in the mountains. From the moment you step inside, you’re wrapped in warm wooden comfort. The staff welcome us with such gentle smiles —it already feels like a special stay ahead. A calming, classic atmosphere slowly eases the travel tension away. room tour
And here it is — the room we’ll be staying in tonight.East Wing, Japanese-style Room 359. The comfort of tatami and the warmth of a kotatsu. But there’s one reason we chose this room. This big window — if the weather cooperates,we’ll see the sunrise fill the entire frame. Relaxing under a kotatsu on top of a mountain…it feels like a dream😌 At night, they’ll lay out our futon right here beside the kotatsu. With a TV and Wi-Fi, the room is super comfortable. There’s even a coffee machine —and bottled water waiting in the fridge. “Remote, yet never inconvenient.”Time here feels truly luxurious. There’s a private bathroom,but most guests use the larger baths. There are three private baths — and they were never crowded. From the open-air bath, you can admirethe sea of clouds and the starry night sky. If you’re lucky, you may even catchshooting stars streaking through the sky. There are cozy spots to relax all throughout the hotel— not just in the guest rooms. There are drink dispensers around the hotel,so you can grab a drink anytime. And here is the “Starlight Terrace.” If the weather is right,you’ll be greeted by a sky full of stars. When was the last time I just gazed at the stars…?I really hope the sky clears tonight. There’s even a rooftop observatory up here. A full 360° view — perfect for stargazing.✨ There’s a free drink service from 3:30 to 6:00 PM. Amazake, apple juice, and local hard apple cider. I tried the cider made from local apples — so refreshing. The gentle apple aroma warms the heart. Today’s highest temperature? Exactly 0℃. Everyone kept saying the same thing: “It’s freezing!” There’s a terrace, but… in this cold? Not a single person outside. There’s even a café for day-trippers. In summer, it’s a reward spot for hikers. And look at this — what a find! It’s called “Lithophone” — a xylophone made from local stones 🎶 Depending on the day, they host slide shows… …and stargazing or morning walk tours too. Their care for guests is felt in every little detail. Alright — bundled up and ready for a walk! The hotel began as a mountain hut to help lost hikers in this area. All the building materials were carried up by hand — so much effort and love here. After many renovations, it became the hotel it is today. This is a cloud-top resort with views of Mt. Fuji and Japan’s famous peaks. In summer, you can even see grazing cows. It’s almost sunset time. The clouds are a bit thick but… Mt. Fuji still shows up beautifully on the horizon. Clouds drift like gentle waves — a mesmerizing sight. Nature’s beauty leaves me speechless. Knowing this sky exists only for a moment… makes every second feel special. Even from this far away, Mt. Fuji feels powerful and unique. Watching the sky change color… the sun set before I knew it. City lights twinkle far below. My heart is warm, but my body is freezing. They serve hot sasa-tea at the entrance — perfect for thawing out. Now that we’re warm again, it’s time for dinner. The menu changes each season and features local ingredients. It looks incredible! Fine dining in the middle of a mountain — what a luxury. There are three dining areas, all with a calm and relaxed atmosphere. The staff were so kind — they even shared tips for our stay. Many guests come back again and again because of their warm hospitality. Reservations open six months ahead, but last-minute cancellations happen often too. If you don’t mind the room type, you can simply keep checking the booking site or SNS for openings. Every dish looked so tempting — I couldn’t stop smiling. And the portions? Huge! I kept thinking, “Wait, there’s more?!” 😆 And then… matsutake rice to finish the meal. My friend loves matsutake so much — They were even given an onigiri to take back — such a sweet surprise! 😋 Warm service and delicious food — we were full and happy from the inside out. Stepping outside, the sky was filled with stars — bright enough for my iPhone to capture them. I was blown away… but it was freezing. I ended up watching the stars wrapped in my blanket inside. I even spotted a shooting star — the perfect ending to the night. Then came sunrise… No words… It was just breathtaking. To our luck, a sea of clouds appeared — another magical moment after last night’s stars. I heard sea clouds are common in spring and fall, so I’d been hoping for this. According to the staff, it had been a while since one appeared — we were really lucky. But wow… this was definitely the coldest moment of the trip. Many guests gathered on the terrace waiting for the sunrise — must’ve been an incredible view from there. But I chose warmth over bravery… and enjoyed the show from inside instead 😌 The sun slowly rose, painting the sky with shifting colors. It’s just the sunrise… yet it moves the heart so much. It was even more beautiful than I ever imagined — I couldn’t look away. As sunlight touched the mountains, the icy air began to soften. Mt. Fuji stood calmly once again, right where it should be. Bathed in morning light, Utsukushigahara felt powerful and peaceful at the same time. The beauty of this moment froze me in place — I even forgot how cold it was. With mornings like this… it’s easy to want to come back again and again. Clouds drifted quietly beneath us — like standing above a vast ocean. In summer, instead of clouds, the sky fills with stars and the Milky Way. Same place, different seasons — and completely different worlds to experience. Even if I come back again and again, I’m sure it will always feel like the first time. This beautiful morning isn’t over yet — time for breakfast. The table was filled with steam and aromas that promised a happy morning. went perfectly with rice… I kept going back for seconds (and thirds!). The local rice was fluffy and naturally sweet from the very first bite. The freshly made tofu warmed the heart with every spoonful. And to finish — freshly baked bread from a beloved local bakery. It was a breakfast full of happiness from the very start of the day. With our hearts and stomachs full, we headed out for a little walk. There are many transmission towers around Ougatou. This place plays a key role in supporting communication across the plateau. The sky was clear and bright — a perfect day. Mountain weather can change fast — many guests stay multiple nights to enjoy different views. The gift shop was packed with fun souvenirs. …that I even bought this konpeitō, a unique Japanese candy — they look just like tiny stars🌟🍬 It sparkles like the stars — so adorable, right? And… even in the freezing cold, I couldn’t resist getting soft-serve 😋 It’s hard to leave… but it’s time to head back to Matsumoto. Since we’re here, let’s stop by some of my favorite spots in town. The autumn leaves were beautiful — a quiet reminder that seasons keep moving on. First stop: Yotsuhashi Shrine, a well-known power spot. They say all kinds of wishes come true here — it truly lightens the heart. And right inside the grounds is “Kobayashi,” the soba shop you just can’t skip. You can’t visit Matsumoto without having soba. Its unchanging taste and hospitality always feel so comforting. Then, “Cha-noma” for a cozy coffee break. A 120-year-old building… and a warm kotatsu. It wraps your heart in comfort. Kotatsu heaters have apparently been around since the 1300s! There’s just something healing about being wrapped in that warmth. I ordered cocoa au lait and a matcha daifuku. With the kotatsu and the cozy old building… time just slowed down. And of course — Matsumoto Castle is just around the corner. No matter how many times I see it, it still looks so majestic. From December to February, a projection mapping show lights up the castle for visitors. Even just watching it stand quietly like that… it’s everything for a castle lover like me. One last stop — my favorite café. A traditional sweets shop downstairs and a restaurant upstairs — beloved by locals for years. So many tempting options… I chose the winter-only spaghetti gratin. Under the creamy sauce — spaghetti with meat sauce… pure comfort. Perfect food for a chilly day — warm and comforting. And the famous Tanuki Cake. Its goofy little face melts your heart before you even taste it. Matsumoto always has little treasures quietly waiting to be found. Thank you for another wonderful time — this trip was full of warmth and joy. Thank you so much for watching — let’s go on another peaceful trip again soon.

I stayed at the famous Sky Hotel in Japan,
Ougatou Hotel in Nagano, a mountain resort sitting 2,034 meters above the clouds.
It is known for its sea of clouds, stargazing, peaceful sunrise, and beautiful views of Mt. Fuji in the distance.

This is one of Japan’s hidden gems and a perfect place to experience an off-the-beaten-path side of Japan.
After enjoying the scenery and the Japanese-style hot springs,
I spent the next day exploring Matsumoto
including Matsumoto Castle, local soba restaurants, and cozy cafés.

If you love Japan travel vlogs with calming scenery and relaxing moments,
I hope you enjoy this peaceful journey with me.
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📍 Places I Visited

• Ougatou Hotel (Nagano, Utsukushigahara Highlands)

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• Yohashira Shrine
https://www.go.tvm.ne.jp/~yohasira/

• Soba Restaurant Kobayashi
https://www.kobayashi-soba.co.jp/

• Cha-noma Café
https://www.instagram.com/chanoma_matsumoto/

• Matsumoto Castle

トップページ

• Okina-dō Café (near Matsumoto Station)
https://www.matsumotoekimaest.info/okinadou-kissa

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