Recently, I stayed at the ” Atema Onsen, Atema Kogen Resort, Belnatio” located in Tokamachi City, Niigata Prefecture.
Recognized as a family-friendly accommodation, it is certified as a ” Welcome Baby Inn” by Miki House.
After staying there, I can confidently say that it’s not just ideal for families with kids but for people of all ages. The high quality of the hotel is evident.
The premises are clean and spacious, featuring upscale buffet dining, hot springs, and saunas.
In this post, I’ll give you an in-depth review of my stay at Belnatio, including details about the room and my overall impressions, along with photos.
Table of Contents
A Resort Towering Over Atema Kogen Highlands: Belnatio
Situated in the southern part of Niigata Prefecture, Belnatio stands in the Atema Kogen Highlands.
When we arrived by car, I was amazed by its grandeur, thinking, “Is that Belnatio? Wow!” I regret not being able to capture its entire magnificence in one shot.
Spanning 510 hectares, the resort boasts 143 guest rooms, a golf course, wedding halls, banquet facilities, and even a kids’ room, making it a massive, full-scale resort hotel.
The lobby is also spacious and offers a sense of openness.
The hotel has received accolades from Michelin, TripAdvisor, Rakuten Travel, and more.
Reviews across different platforms are overwhelmingly positive.
The large gift shop offers a wide variety of souvenirs, beverages, and more, all at reasonable prices comparable to those at convenience stores or other souvenir shops.
Here’s the Koshihikari Beer I picked up to enjoy in my room.
The hotel offers a variety of activities and tours, ensuring that guests can enjoy their stay no matter how many times they visit.
A grand piano sits above the lobby, where jazz concerts and other events are held daily.
A Family-Friendly Hotel with Excellent Amenities for Kids
Belnatio is certified as a ” Welcome Baby Inn” by the Miki House Childcare Research Institute.
True to its reputation, the hotel is equipped with facilities and services that are extremely helpful for families with children. This was a big relief for us as we traveled with our 2-year-old.
At the top of the stairs from the lobby is a room stocked with children’s supplies.
Guests can freely borrow items such as clothing and strollers.
There are also diapers in various sizes and other amenities available, making it possible to stay here even if you forget to pack some essentials.
Kids’ room equipped with various toys
Our child had a fantastic time playing here, and we were lucky to have the space to ourselves at the time, making the experience even better.
Adjacent to the kids’ room, there’s a nursing room and diaper-changing facilities.
The spacious gift shop even features a Miki House corner.
While we stayed in a standard guest room, the hotel also offers Baby Rooms that are specifically designed for families with young children.
A Look Inside Belnatio’s Twin Rooms
Our family stayed in a standard twin room.
The room featured twin beds, a sofa, and a table, with high ceilings that gave a spacious and comfortable feel.
The bathroom, toilet, and washbasin were combined into a single unit.
Though the hotel features a large communal bath, we used the in-room facilities to bathe our 2-year-old, as the public bath seemed a bit too challenging at this stage.
A small closet area before the bathroom made it convenient to store clothes or spread out suitcases.
Opposite this area was a multipurpose desk with a mirror, perfect for getting ready or preparing a coffee. The lower shelves housed cups and a mini-fridge.
The window offered views of Belnatio’s lush greenery, complete with walking paths running through the trees and lawns. While not a spectacular view, the scenery was calming and refreshing.
Buffet-Style Dinner: Elevated Flavors and Presentation
Dinner at Belnatio is served buffet-style in the restaurant “Cosmos.” Depending on your booking plan, there may also be options for course meals in another restaurant.
As we waited to be seated, the staff warmly welcomed us and asked, “Do you like meat?” They provided recommendations on some must-try dishes, making it easier to decide among the many options available.
(The staff at Belnatio stood out for their friendliness, efficiency, and professionalism throughout our stay.)
The dining area is spacious and has a more sophisticated ambiance compared to typical buffet setups, with attention to lighting and furniture.
Highlights include freshly prepared steak, sushi, and dishes featuring local Niigata ingredients. The selection is so vast that choosing what to try first can be overwhelming.
Both the presentation and flavors are a step above the typical hotel or ryokan buffet, making each dish as pleasing to the eyes as it is to the palate.
Among the dishes we tried were roast beef and a local specialty called “Kalbi Kuppa” (a beef short rib soup) from Tokamachi. Unfortunately, I didn’t capture more photos as our child fell asleep, and we seized the quiet moment to eat quickly!
The food quality and variety were impressive, making the experience far more enjoyable than standard buffets. With no strict time limits, we were able to relax and savor the meal.
Alcoholic beverages, including sake, are available with an all-you-can-drink package for 75 minutes at 2,200 yen. For an additional 1,100 yen, you can upgrade to a premium package that includes the full drink menu. Though we opted out this time, I was tempted by the Niigata sake dispensers!
For young children, the hotel offers a fun initiative called the “I Love Vegetables Card.” Kids who eat three types of vegetables can report to the staff and win a prize from a capsule toy machine. Our child was thrilled to win a miniature toy car!
Breakfast Buffet: Award-Winning Dishes
Breakfast is served in the same venue as dinner, though seating extends to an adjacent area for the morning service. This arrangement is particularly helpful for families with young children who may be more boisterous during breakfast.
The breakfast spread includes classic options like salads, bread, and sausages, alongside unique items like Nagaoka Soy Sauce Ramen and Chinese-style congee with shellfish broth.
Freshly prepared omelets and rice balls are also available.
The dining area is bathed in natural light during the day, making for a cheerful and relaxing atmosphere.
Both dinner and breakfast buffets feature kid-friendly sections with easy-to-eat dishes for younger guests.
From the variety to the quality of the dishes, every meal at Belnatio feels special.
For breakfast, I enjoyed both Nagaoka Soy Sauce Ramen and the Chinese congee—a great start to the day!
One standout dish at the breakfast buffet was the “Grilled Rice Ball Dressed with Mushroom Broth and Crab Sleeves,” which earned national recognition by winning the “Breakfast Festival 2019” competition hosted by Rakuten Travel.
Another highlight was the Yasuda Yogurt, a beloved product made by a local Niigata company, which added a perfect finishing touch to the meal.
Belnatio: A Destination Worth the Journey
From its exceptional food to its wide range of activities and facilities, the Atama Onsen, Tōma Kogen Resort, Belnatio provides an exceptional experience for visitors of all ages. Whether you’re traveling as a family, couple, or solo, this resort has something for everyone.
For families like ours, the child-friendly amenities made our stay not only comfortable but genuinely enjoyable. The little details—like the vegetable reward cards for kids—highlight the thoughtfulness of the hotel’s approach to hospitality.
Though it’s a long journey from my home in Fukuoka, I would love to visit again once my child is a bit older. Belnatio is truly a destination worthy of making a trip just to stay there.
