fbpx

Lodge Clubman nice Hachimantai ski base

snow action team 15.02.2019

Lodge Clubman is well known in Hachimantai as a popular hub for year-round adventure activities in Towada-Hachimantai National Park and surrounding areas for over 20 years.

Father and son owners, Ikuo and Junya Kuragane, are backcountry legend ski guides in winter and all manner of things in summer – kayaking, biking and more. They run Hachimantai Cat Tours, a great little cat ski operation just up the road from the lodge.

View of the cosy lounge at Lodge Clubman
Cosy lounge at Lodge Clubman © Carmen Price

They speak more than enough English to get by, and unlike western guides who visit the area occasionally they know it – and the snowpack – like only locals living and skiing there all season can, so they are your best bet for guiding in the Hachimantai/northern Iwate area.

View of snow covered Clubman Lodge Hachimantai, Iwate, Japan
Clubman Lodge from the outside © Clubman Lodge

They live and breathe outdoors lifestyle, and Lodge Clubman reflects that. The rustic setting is complemented by the design with big log beams and a wood burner in the middle of the lounge.

Off the main common room/lounge/dining area there’s an outdoor gear store featuring the brands they are sponsored by and work with – including Rossignol, Dynastar, Lange and Arc’teryx.

Upstairs lounge and TV area at Lodge Clubman
Upstairs lounge at Lodge Clubman © Carmen Price

They have comfortable rooms from twin, triple or four share with western beds or more tatami style.

Western style twin room at Clubman Lodge
Western bed twin room © Carmen Price

Clean share washrooms are near the rooms and the onsen hot bath is downstairs.

The hot bath and shower facilities at Clubman Lodge
Bath area at Lodge Clubman © Owain Price

Lodge Clubman is good value, with rates from Y7,000 plus tax with breakfast, or 9,000 with breakfast and dinner.

There are a couple of restaurants in the village close by, and plenty of izakayas and shops 15 minutes or so away in Hachimantai city.

Clubman Lodge shabu shabu dinner plate
Healthy fresh dinners will keep you skiing next day

They will shuttle you to their Hachimantai Cat Tours cat skiing operation or the local resorts like powder gem Hachimantai Shimokura, and are available for back country guiding to show you more of the untouched terrain and superb snow in the area.

climbing wall in the lounge at Clubman Lodge
There’s a climbing wall in the lounge at Clubman Lodge

Well known Appi is only half an hour away too, and they can show the best of the side country there as well.

Both father and son are keen telemarkers too, so if you’re into free-the-heel free-the-soul skiing you will have a great time with them.

For Lodge Clubman bookings simplest is to message them off their Facebook page here.

Tatami style room at Clubman Lodge
Tatami room at Clubman Lodge © Carmen Price
Clubman Lodge bar
Clubman Lodge bar