When planning a trip to Nekoyado in winter, plan not only the snowy scenery, but also take into account cancellations, frozen roads, and early sunsets. It is also important not to open the windows or doors for photography while the resident cat is resting in a warm room.
- Look at road surfaces and traffic rather than snowfall
- Make sure your car is equipped with winter equipment that suits your region.
- Have one alternative for public transportation
- Think about clothes for inside the inn
- Don’t open the window for the cat
- Make postponement decisions quickly
- Winter confirmation list
- Departure decision in three stages
- Preparing for winter inside the inn
- Summary
- Reference materials
Look at road surfaces and traffic rather than snowfall
Even if the forecast is sunny, it may freeze in the shade, on bridges, and early in the morning. We will check the regulations of road administrators, train and bus operations, and official information about accommodations until just before departure. This also applies to your return trip the next day.
Make sure your car is equipped with winter equipment that suits your region.
Prepare winter tires and necessary anti-slip equipment, and check how to install them before departure. Even if you have the equipment, it won’t help you overcome poor visibility or road closures. Arrive early and turn back if it’s dangerous.
Prepare fuel, batteries, warm clothing, and drinks in plenty of time. Please also check Preparing to drive to a mountain area.
Have one alternative for public transportation
Plan your itinerary to arrive before the last flight, and check your contact information in the event of a flight cancellation, the inn’s pick-up and drop-off conditions, and taxis from the station. The transfer will not be automatically extended, so we will contact the inn as soon as we know there will be a delay.
Think about clothes for inside the inn
Prepare waterproof shoes, extra socks, and outerwear that is easy to put on and take off. Don’t hang wet clothes on the cat’s bed or heater, and ask for a drying area at your accommodation.
Avoid clothing that drags and slippery footwear in common areas where resident cats are present. Avoid wearing strongly scented cold-weather gear.
Don’t open the window for the cat
Even when shooting through a window with condensation, do not open the window to make it clearer. I don’t invite my cat out on the snow or take long pictures at my front door. Outdoor activities for cats are subject to the accommodation policy.
Make postponement decisions quickly
If warnings, widespread suspensions, or road closures are expected, check the cancellation policy and consult the inn. Please do not continue to travel dangerously just because you want to meet a resident cat.
Winter confirmation list
- Round-trip weather, operation, and regulations
- Winter tires and fuel
- Early arrival time
- Waterproof shoes, spare socks, cold protection
- Transfer change notification
- Where to store wet luggage
- How to contact the inn in case of postponement
Departure decision in three stages
| Time | Things to check |
|---|---|
| 2 to 3 days ago | Possibility of warning level, winter access to accommodation, equipment |
| The day before | Road regulations, trains/buses, transportation, cancellation conditions |
| On the day | Operation information, road surface, return route, communication from the hotel |
Even if the outbound flight is moving, if it is forecast that you will not be able to return the next day, we will consider postponing the trip. Avoid taking a taxi through a closed area to see a cat, or taking a detour in a car without winter equipment.
Preparing for winter inside the inn
Leave wet jackets, gloves, and shoes in a designated area and do not dry them near the stove or cat’s bed. Store disposable warmers, medicines, and charging cables in a place where the cat can’t touch them.
Immediately after returning from outside, it will be difficult to see your feet. Don’t chase the cat at the front door; close the door before putting your luggage and shoes in order.
We double-check the snow removal and operation status on the way home in the morning, so we don’t delay check-out and wait for the cat. If your accommodation advises you to leave early, we will give priority to that advice.
Summary
In a winter cat inn, we first determine if the cat can move, and in the warm inside the inn we protect the cat’s rest. Prioritizing safety over snowy scenery will lead to better results on your next visit.
