Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Blooming Villa a commercial or private venture?
Blooming Villa is privately owned and operated by a Japanese native from Hokkaido and a New Zealander who has lived in Japan for over 30 years. - Does someone live at the property when it’s not being rented out?
No, it’s currently only being used as a vacation rental property. - Is there a lower age limit required to make a booking?
Yes, bookings must be made by someone aged 25 or older, and that person must be staying at the property. - When is the best time to visit Hokkaido?
Japan has four seasons to enjoy, but the most popular periods are as follows:
* Spring: Popular for hiking, and cherry blossom viewing (“Hanami”) from late April to mid-May.
* Summer: From early July to mid-August, Hokkaido has a mild climate with little humidity, making it very popular for sightseeing and summer festivals.
* Autumn: A popular time to see the vibrant autumn colors (“Kouyou”), typically mid-September to early October.
* Winter: Popular for skiing, snowboarding, and winter activities, mid-December to mid-March. Asahidake and Kurodake ski fields in Daisetsuzan National Park have at times remained open for skiing until May. - We understand the Residence unit can be rented either by itself or with the Studio unit as an add-on, but can the Studio unit also be rented by itself?
While the Studio unit was designed to be a self-contained living space, it is currently only being offered as an add-on to the Residence unit. Even as an add-on, the Studio can still be treated as a fully separate and self-contained unit as it has a separate front entrance with its own keys. - How do check-in and checkout work?
During the specified check-in and checkout times, a staff member will greet you at the property and take you through the procedures. If you need to check in later or check out earlier, let us know in advance and we will make alternative arrangements. - Will non-Japanese speakers be able to operate the household appliances?
Yes, there are instructions available in both English and Japanese for how to use the appliances, along with some general information about the house and property. Anything else can be asked via the contact details provided. - Are pets allowed?
No pets are permitted either in the house or on the property. - Is smoking allowed?
No smoking or vaping is permitted either inside the house or on the property. - Do we get full use of the property?
Other than the locked staff room inside the house and the outside storage shed beside the car port, the entire property including the outdoor terrace and lawn are at your disposal. - Can I change the number of guests?
Yes, there is no extra charge for additional guests up to the maximum number specified per unit, but please notify us at least 7 days prior to your check-in date in order to ensure enough towels and other amenities are provided. - Do you have a baby cot and a high chair?
There is a booster seat (with table) that guests can use free of charge, and while the house does not contain a cot or child bed, it does have a Japanese futon set that could be used for a child. If needed, please request the booster seat and/or the Japanese futon in advance. - Is the house child-proof?
We are happy to host families with infants and children, but please be aware the property has not been specifically child-proofed. - Is the house able to accommodate more than 7 people?
Technically, the maximum capacity of the house is 7 guests, which may include up to 6 adults. But if one of the guests is an infant or toddler who wouldn’t use one of the provided beds, then yes, the house would be able to accommodate 8 people (but never more than 8, regardless of age). - Is it ok to have visitors during our stay?
No persons other than those included in the reservation are permitted in the house or on the property. - Do you have bicycles for guests to use?
Not at the property, but bicycles can be rented in Higashikawa town (2km away). - Do you have BBQ facilities?
No, there isn’t a standalone BBQ at the property. - Do you have outdoor furniture?
Yes, there is outdoor furniture for guests to enjoy on the terrace or the lawn. - Apart from the TVs, is there any entertainment in the house?
Yes, there is a Bluetooth speaker in the living room you can connect to for listening to music, there are books & magazines in the reading space, and there is a small selection of board games. - Do you have air conditioning in the house?
Yes, there are air conditioners located throughout the house. - What kind of heating does the house have during winter?
The entire house has underfloor heating which is able to heat the house to a comfortable level by itself, but the air conditioners are also able to be used as heaters if needed. Additionally, the house is fitted with very effective triple-glazed windows to keep the heat in during winter. - Are cleaning services included?
Yes, a single cleaning fee is included in the rates. The house will be professionally cleaned after each group of guests leave. For longer term stays, additional paid cleaning during the stay can be arranged upon request. - Is there any recreation equipment available at the property?
Yes, there are badminton racquets and a net, a Bocce set, and a BulziBucket (~cornhole) set which guests are free to use outside. - Do I need a car to get around?
Yes. Public transportation is limited here, and Higashikawa town is a 25-minute walk away, so we highly recommend the use of a car. There are car rental agencies at Asahikawa airport and in Asahikawa city. - Do you have a private car park?
Yes, Blooming Villa has a spacious private parking area for up to 6 cars, including a covered car port which holds 2 cars. - How far to the closest supermarket and restaurant?
There are supermarkets, restaurants, and shops in Higashikawa town, 2 km from Blooming Villa. - When is ski season in Hokkaido?
It depends on the area and the weather conditions that year, but ski season in Hokkaido, particularly for the higher mountains, generally starts around mid-December and lasts through mid-march. The famous Hokkaido powder snow is usually at its best in January and February, but December and March are good opportunities to avoid crowds and high prices. - Are there good ski fields in the area?
Canmore, a relatively small ski field rated beginner-intermediate is approx. 2 km from Blooming Villa. While the closest intermediate-advanced ski field is Asahidake at 30 km, Kamui Ski Links is also an excellent choice. A 35 km drive from Higashikawa, Kamui has 25 courses and is one of the larger ski resorts in Hokkaido. Furano Ski Resort, one of the more famous Hokkaido ski fields, is a 50 km drive from Higashikawa. - What if we are not experienced driving on snow?
Rental cars are equipped with snow tires, but slowing down to suit the conditions is highly recommended. - Is there a place in the house to store skis and ski gear?
Yes, there is a storage room just inside the entrance on the left side where skis and other gear can be safely stored. It is also heated so your wet ski gear will dry out overnight. Note this area, unlike the rest of the house, doesn’t require the removal of shoes.