Playroom (games, musical instruments, TV/home theatre, internet TV) with wood burning stove

Standing bar and lounge area

Boot/ski/board/waxing room

Two bathrooms (Japanese style) – trips to local onsens on request (see website for samples)

Rotenburo (outdoor bath) - new from December 2019

Tea ceremony in a traditional Japanese room subject to availability

Garden area lit by lanterns (non-winter time) - games: croquet/boules/quoits/lawn darts/darts/archery/blow-pipe; hammocks; cast-iron chiminea

Western style and traditional Japanese (vegetarians/vegans accommodated with advance notice - see website for samples)

Selection of wines (including from the locality)

Cocktails and liqueurs

Pension Brown is located in Zao Onsen in Yamagata Prefecture. The closest lift of Zao Onsen is the Omori quad lift, a 3 minute ride away - ask owners for pickups! A regular Pension Village shuttle bus is also available that takes people to the main base lifts of Zao Onsen. Do not be put off by the need to be taken to the lifts as, although many places advertise closeness (there are only a few true ski in/out places), by the time you've walked to the lifts (especially up icy roads), it is more or less the same as being driven.

Nearest airport is Yamagata Airport. There is an (irregular) bus service to Zao Onsen Bus Terminal (check website) and taxi services (about a 40-60 minute journey).

Sendai Airport is about 80 minutes away, again with bus and taxi services.

Carl is from the UK (British/Japanese), Wakana is from Japan.

After living in Japan, England, China, Japan (again) and latterly Singapore for 16 years (our children were born in the last three countries), we decided to live the dream (with Wakana finally putting her skills from Tante Marie in the UK into effect.)

Although we have skied extensively in America and Europe, our preference was Japan as a permanent base. We usually found ourselves back in Zao if for ski trips for more than a few days and since there are activities available throughout the year. Initially we stayed in hotels but then always in the Pension Village once we discovered it due to its homier feel among the trees. As guests are taken to and from the Omori Quad or Zao/Chuo Ropeways, there is no real walking involved - only a few places are truly walk free from slippery or steep roads. We also run guests with a penchant up to the various onsens spread around Zao Onsen - see website for examples.

A brand new outdoor rotenburo bath has opened from December 2019.

For those guests coming from overseas, we know what it is like in bringing over a family for Christmas, half-term or the Easter holidays so we hope to be able help those in similar circumstances and to appreciate Zao and skiing in Japan as we much as we do.