Country Inn Mori No Gorilla

We stayed here on October 31, 2022 to see the autumn leaves. I don't really like the noisy meals and mediocre service at large hotels, so I often stay at small hotels when I go out. This time, I decided to stay late and couldn't find a hotel that suited my taste, so I stayed at a pension for the first time in 30 years. What caught my attention was the phrase "five-star meals." When I think of a pension, I imagine a place where several families stay, since I stayed there with my children 30 years ago, so I thought, well, I guess it can't be helped? However, since it was a Monday stay, the only guests were our couple. I was a little nervous and felt sorry for the stay. The location is less than 10 minutes by car from the famous Goshiki-numa, and it is easy to find as it is along the road, and there are many lakes and ponds nearby, so it is very convenient for sightseeing. The pension building is country-style and blends in well with the scenery, and the interior is coordinated with country-style furniture and accessories, which my wife likes, and has a soothing atmosphere. Coffee and other amenities are provided in the living room, so you can use them whenever you like and relax in the living room. There are 4-5 rooms on the second floor, and the room I stayed in was a twin room with a toilet and bath, which was spacious enough. Since it is a room for sleeping only, there is no TV or refrigerator. The bed was comfortable. I chose a room with a toilet and bath, but the toilet on the first floor was a washlet toilet and there was a large bath, so I always used the toilet and bath on the first floor. As expected of a 5-star hotel, the food was very delicious, with hors d'oeuvres, soup, fish, meat dishes and desserts. There was one type of wine, red and white, and Italian. I chose white wine to go with the meal, but the sake looked delicious as well. The amount of food was a little too much for a couple in their 60s like us, so if I have the opportunity to use it again, I will ask for a "little less." The breakfast was simple, but the homemade jam and other items were delicious. I was very satisfied with the location, facilities, and food. What's even better about this pension is that the owner, who has lived here for over 40 years, is a nature guide, so he knows the surrounding nature well and can teach you various ways to enjoy it. He also has many other hobbies, including music, so he has a lot to talk about, and you'll forget the time when you're talking to him. On the first day, I arrived and had some time before dinner, and there was about an hour and a half until sunset, so I asked about nearby places I could go to, and he introduced me to the nearby Nakasenuma. It was a three-minute drive and a ten-minute walk from the parking lot to Nakasenuma, where Mt. Bandai towered in front of me, and I was able to enjoy a truly majestic and beautiful view of Nakasenuma in front of me. The famous Goshiki-numa was beautiful, but unfortunately Mt. Bandai was not visible. On the second day, I walked around Nakasenuma again early in the morning, and it was a satisfying walk. It was my first time at Ura-Bandai, which was just over four hours from home, but thanks to the gorillas in the forest, I wasn't tired and was able to enjoy the autumn leaves at a leisurely pace.