Craig san & Rika san are wonderful, caring hosts! They were so warm and always helpful. Craig san used to personally help with pick ups/ drop offs to the nearest train station (JR Minakami station) and he'd even go the extra mile to help me get to restaurants in the area for dinner (he had even collected me at 9:00 PM once!) Always willing to share wisdom of living in the area, Craig san would compare and contrast the experiences of living in a megacity like Tokyo vs. living in the quiet wilderness of the Minakami area. The house has been personally renovated by them and I love that it's full of small details -- LOTS of excellent coffee available round the clock if you like! (Usually, hotels serve regular coffee which is cut off after 6:00 PM). The breakfast sets were excellent and containing several smaller items -- a quiche, sometimes a crumble, often granola with yoghurt, and fruits. Plus, more excellent coffee -- I loved their Mocha! The outdoor patio is a welcoming place to sit and work and the WiFi is available there too. The hosts are well integrated into the local community, so everybody knows them, and its a charming place to be irrespective of the season. The property is especially stunning in Autumn/ Fall and Spring.

Breakfast was delicious and pleased everyone in the family. Especially amazing granola. The location was fabulous and lovely surroundings. We will be back in May and excited to see the area once the snow has fully melted. The on-site hosts were very available and kind and when the owner popped in, he was extra welcoming and lovely. I'm sure there are guests that return simply because of his warm hospitality! The big lounge area was simply perfect for us as we were traveling with another family and could gather to play games, drink coffee and even play the piano. So fun! We will be back!

I know it's a coffee roastery : ) and my husband loved the beautiful coffee...would you consider adding a good chai latte to the menu? The brewed tea was plenty good enough...but chai option would make it special! The second night we asked for additional bedding and the hosts were quick to provide. I don't want to critique anything as it was otherwise SUCH a lovely stay, and we will definitely return!

The host Craig was exceptional, his ability to look after us and all guests was a joy. Nothing is to hard and his local knowledge is unbelievable. It is so peaceful and beautiful particularly when it has snowed. Very local and getting to meet some of the other guests was great. I have owned a guest house previously and had over 40 years in the hospitality and tourism industry and Craig is just a shining example of what a great host should be! Well done to you and your team, and it was wonderful speaking with you.

If you don’t have a car you’re limited for lunch and dinner choices. Also local Onsen etc. Craig ran us around and made sure we could enjoy these and we didn’t miss out. Just better choices and available if you have a car.

Tanigawa Valley Lodge and Coffee Roastery was the perfect winter wonderland stay for us. We were lucky enough to arrive during a period of heavy snow and the entire valley was covered in Japan's famous fluffy, white, powdery snow. The lodge provided sleds and snow shoes for fun and exploration. The Tanigawa Valley and Minikami areas also offer several onsen and skiing/snowboarding options. The Tanigawa Valley Lodge was the perfect place to stay to enjoy the areas activities and breathtaking beauty. The owner, Craig, was incredibly helpful, friendly and hospitable. He has great knowledge of and a love for the area. The lodge also employs visiting bakers and baristas. During our stay, Vincent, Daniella and Pavel spoiled us with the tastiest fresh baked goods and coffee, all of which was included in the breakfast. A great way to start your day! Our accommodation was roomy and comfortable. We opted for a traditional Japanese room and slept on comfortable futons. The shared bathroom and shower facilities are clean, modern and well kept. We also spent a lot of time in the common area meeting other guests, playing board games and relaxing. There is parking available on site, if needed. We did not travel with a car, but found the local transportation options to be sufficient for our needs. The local White Valley Ski Resort was within walking distance and uncrowded during our stay. Prices at the resort were also very reasonable. There are also a couple of restaurants nearby, though the closest supermarket and convenience stores are located in Minikami Town. The lodge is easily accessible by train from Tokyo. For us, Tanigawa Valley Lodge was the perfect stay that we would highly recommend to anyone looking for a truly unique experience!

There was nothing not to like. We enjoyed every moment of our stay. However, it should be noted that during our stay, the local onsen was not open and seemed to be under repair. This was not a problem as there were other options available nearby.

Everything was great. Craig and all the staff were wonderful and made us feel like home. They had great tips for things to do in the area, gave us rides from/to town, and also helped make reservations. The e-bikes made getting around super smooth. Breakfast and coffee every morning were top notch. And finally the lodge itself was spotless and in a super beautiful and peaceful area, with hikes starting pretty much right outside the door

Since the walls were fairly thin, when others were loud it was a little disruptive, but nothing that ear plugs can’t handle

It’s always a joy discovering a new cozy place to nest for the night. Tanigawa Roastery and Lodge is an excellent, simple but thoughtfully renovated place not too far from Minakami Station. The unlimited locally roasted coffee was incredible, and the vegetarian breakfast served with love by Emma and Robbie (a sweet young Scottish couple here on working holiday) made both of the mornings I woke up here a true pleasure. A big thanks to Craig (the owner and roaster) for picking me up late at Minakami Station! I will be back here again for more adventures!

Everything about this part of our stay in Japan I thought was sensational. Craig (the owner) was an absolute legend and the staff at the lodge were friendly and helpful. It is near Mt Tanigawa (which was a really incredible hike) and we rode the electric bikes provided by the lodge to the main town of Minakami a few times. Breakfast provided every morning, was always great. Views all around were amazing, the locals we spoke to in town were all really friendly. The room we stayed in was great too. There’s numerous spots were you can swim in the very clear stream it’s really peaceful. Lots and lots of beautiful nature to surround yourself with here.

We had a fantastic stay at Tanigawa Valley Lodge & Coffee Roastery. From the moment we arrived, Craige and his staff made us feel incredibly welcome with their warm hospitality and attentiveness. The place was clean, well-kept, and in a great location. Everything was tidy and organized, making it easy to relax. Overall, our experience was very positive. The combination of friendly service, a well-kept environment, and a welcoming atmosphere made our stay truly enjoyable. We would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a comfortable and well-managed place to stay!

I loved the homely atmosphere of the lodge, the warmth, the incredible views, the magical snowfall everyday. The common area had everything we needed including extra blankets, books, games, a keyboard…and we had access to water, tea and coffee. The communal fridge made it easy to store snacks, and there is a microwave which was incredibly helpful for me as I chose to eat dinner at the lodge. The convenience store down the road has a variety of food and snacks, and plenty of vegan options! The breakfast was amazing each day. Tim was able to make me vegan waffles and muffins everyday morning which was amazing as Tokyo was challenging to find good vegan food. The coffee was barista brewed, and it was second to none. I was so impressed, I had to have two coffees every morning. Craig (owner) was the main superstar this whole trip. He went above and beyond to answer all my questions, provide advice on what to do where to go, and did all the station pickups and drop offs anytime I needed to go out for the day. As it was a spontaneous trip I didn’t have appropriate footwear or extra jackets and gloves. However the lodge was able to provide all these for me to have a comfortable stay. I even built a snowman ⛄️ I will definitely be coming back sooner rather than later! Thank you Craig, and team!

Not much to not like!

The location is around the corner from a great little open air onsen which has a fantastic view of the river, mountains, and stunning autumn foliage. Breakfast was provided, with barista coffee and delicious freshly baked pastries, plus there was a coffee station that guests could use at their leisure. The option to use the lodge's e-bikes free of charge was a great touch, especially considering it's on top of a hill, and about a 30 minute walk into town. The staff were friendly and welcoming, with a special shout out to the owner Craig who went above and beyond to make our stay comfortable and easy. We will be recommending the lodge to anyone looking for a getaway to "real Japan", to see the amazing local landscapes and sample some of the best of the best local onsen. While my partner and I were travelling as a couple, it is obvious that this accommodation would also be perfect for single backpackers/hikers/skiers, as well as larger groups. All in all, a great stay, which we would highly recommend and hope to visit again in the future.

Nothing that we can think of :)