[Lucky Direction Trip] A Dreamy Stay at Hotel Sierra Resort Hakuba in Nagano!

My family has a unique annual tradition: every New Year, we look up the “lucky directions”—based on traditional Asian astrology and Feng Shui—and determine the best time to travel to boost our good fortune.

Our Family Rule: Traveling by “Lucky Directions”

For a couple like us, caught up in the hustle and bustle of daily life, a trip to an “auspicious direction” offers a perfect opportunity to step away from the routine and refresh both body and mind. When we first learned about auspicious directions earlier this year, we got really excited—thinking, “Right, let’s go there!”—and immediately started making plans.

Plot Twist! A Surprise Illness Forces a Schedule Change

Just as our departure date was approaching, disaster struck. The day after enjoying Japanese yakiniku, my husband was suddenly hit by a high fever and severe abdominal pain. He was diagnosed with campylobacteriosis—a nasty type of food poisoning.

Even after getting intravenous fluids and medication at the hospital, he suffered from fever for several days and was tormented by stomach issues for nearly two weeks.

Naturally, we had to reschedule our trip. (Thankfully, when we reached out to the hotel, they kindly allowed us a one-time date change due to the medical emergency. We couldn’t be more grateful!)

Because of the delay, we missed the “absolute best period” recommended by our auspicious reading. While we felt a little disappointed at first, we quickly shifted our mindset: “Well, just being able to go safely is good luck in itself!” And with that, we hit the road.

Heading to Nagano! Hida Beef Lunch at Enakyo Service Area

Our destination was Hakuba Village in Nagano Prefecture—a relaxing road trip in our own car.

On the way, we stopped for a lunch break at the Enakyo Service Area (bound for Nagano) on the highway.　Service Areas on Japanese highways are surprisingly delightful destinations in themselves, full of local food and treats that make you want to stop even if you don’t need gas!

Instead of the quick food court, we decided to dine at a proper sit-down restaurant inside the rest area called “Omi Suehiro Enakyo Chaya.”

Hida Wagyu is a premium beef brand from nearby Gifu Prefecture, and in Japan, fresh raw eggs are safe to eat—pairing amazingly well with savory Wagyu!

Having abstained from rich foods for the past few weeks to get his health back on track, he savored every bite of this decadent, delicious dish with sheer bliss.

[Hotel Review] Revisiting Hotel Sierra Resort Hakuba

The place we stayed at was Hotel Sierra Resort Hakuba, a resort we fell in love with during our first visit last year. We had enjoyed it so much that we said, “We have to come back here again,” so when we saw that Nagano fell into our lucky direction, it was the very first hotel we booked.

Surrounded by lush greenery, the resort boasts a quiet, serene location and a spacious, relaxing atmosphere.

The View from the Lobby Lounge

Right past the entrance, the lobby opens up to a lounge overlooking a vast central courtyard. Flanking this beautiful garden, you can see the East Wing on the right and the West Wing on the left.

Whether it was the power of our “lucky direction” or just the peaceful vibe of the resort, we instantly slipped into a vacation mindset. (While it felt like a sophisticated, quiet retreat when we visited last year, this time—during the summer holiday season—it was filled with families, creating a lively and joyful atmosphere.)

Staying in the Grand Double Room (West Wing)

This time, I stayed in a Grand Double Room in the West Wing. Measuring 36 square meters and featuring a large sofa by the window, the room felt surprisingly spacious.

Through the window, we could look out at the courtyard and the East Wing across the way. Watching families play in the garden and taking in the vibrant green scenery was pure therapy for the soul.

While the guest rooms come with private baths, the facility also features a spacious communal hot spring bath and three private baths that can be reserved online.

The next morning, I took a dip in the open-air bath at the crack of dawn.
In the relaxation area, complimentary ice cream and cold drinks were available! Enjoying ice cream first thing in the morning was truly a moment of pure bliss.

(Note for foreign travelers: In Japan, the term “onsen” refers to natural mineral-rich hot springs from underground. Communal baths are typically separated by gender, and bathing is enjoyed without swimwear. If you prefer a private experience, reserving one of the hotel’s private baths is a great option!)

Relaxing at the Open Lounge Surrounded by Nature

After checking in, we spent time relaxing at the Open Lounge on the semi-underground floor before dinner.

The lounge features large, floor-to-ceiling windows that look out onto a wooden deck and the lush natural scenery of Hakuba. Guests can also step outside onto the deck to enjoy the fresh mountain air directly. The view of endless greenery gently soothed my eyes, tired from the daily strain of working at a computer.

Hotel Sierra Resort Hakuba offers complimentary light bites and drinks at several spots throughout the property depending on the time of day—making it fun to grab a night snack after taking a bath, too!

An Unforgettable Dinner: Premium French Course

Finally, it was time for dinner! We enjoyed French cuisine at the main dining room on the first floor.

Having been blown away by their seasonal French course last year, we decided to upgrade this time to the “Premium French Course,” limited to just five couples/groups per day.

Low-temperature cooked Lobster with Bisque Sauce, served with Hakuba Koshihikari Rice & Zucchini Salad Roll.

Chilled Duck Foie Gras with Artichoke and Black Truffle Ensemble.

Sierra Resort’s 54-Year Traditional Golden Consommé.

Pan-Seared Local Fish from the Sea of Japan with Edamame Purée and Summer Vegetable Sauce Antipasto.

Japanese Wagyu Beef Tenderloin & Abalone wrapped in Hakuba Rice Straw and Salt Crust, served with Veal Jus and Herb Butter Sauce.

Peach Compote with Peach & Raspberry Sorbet, and Vanilla-flavored Almond Milk Espuma.

The dishes made extensive use of local ingredients, brilliantly showcasing their appeal. The dessert, in particular, was an exquisite combination of tender peach, refreshing sorbet, and airy milk espuma. Even the clear gelée at the bottom struck a perfect balance of acidity, sweetness, and aroma.

My husband said, looking deeply moved, “I’m so glad I recovered before this trip… Being able to eat delicious food is a truly wonderful thing.”

To enjoy such authentic, world-class French dining in the rustic natural beauty of Hakuba Village was an absolute delight.

Conclusion: Even with a Shift in Plans, It Was Still a “Lucky” Trip

Our trip—which was supposed to be blessed with good fortune—got off to a turbulent start, marked by mishaps like food poisoning and last-minute schedule changes. Although we missed the “astrologically perfect” timing, breathing in the crisp mountain air of Hakuba, immersing ourselves in nature, and spending time at our favorite resort allowed us to regain our vitality.

Even if a trip doesn’t go strictly according to schedule, as long as you return home with big smiles saying “That was so much fun!”, that might be the greatest lucky outcome of all.

P.S. This English version was written with the help of translation tools. I hope it reads well, but please bear with me if there are any awkward phrases!