If You Don't Know, Don't Worry
Some questions have easy answers. Some don’t.
Here are a few of both.
Getting Here
- When will Wakaranai Lodge open?
Wakaranai Lodge will first open for summer retreats in 2026.
Digital offsites will begin in summer and fall of 2026, followed by winter operations in a later season once the Lodge has settled into its rhythm.
We'll share dates and details quietly as each chapter opens.
- Where exactly are you?
Wakaranai Lodge is located near Tomamu, in the mountains of central Hokkaido, just outside the village of Shimukappu.
It's rural and quiet, close to ski terrain, trails, and rivers, without feeling busy or touristic.
- How do I get there?
By train or car.
Many guests arrive by car, but a simple and stress-free option is the JR limited express train from Sapporo or New Chitose Airport to Tomamu Station.
From Tomamu Station, it's a short ride to the Lodge.
Transport can be arranged in advance for retreat and offsite guests.
Staying Here
- Is Wakaranai Lodge a resort?
Not in the slightest.
- What kind of guests come here?
The curious ones.
Retreat participants, offsite teams, skiers, artists, and travelers who are comfortable when plans soften, time slows, and connection matters more than efficiency.
- What's included in a stay?
That depends on the season and the type of gathering.
In general, stays include:
a warm, comfortable place to sleep
shared living and dining spaces
a well-equipped kitchen
time, space, and quiet
For retreats and offsites, what's included is clearly outlined on each individual page.
- Do you support English-speaking retreat and offsite groups?
Yes.
Our retreats and digital offsites are designed for English-first groups, with bilingual facilitators, producers, and local collaborators involved as needed.
Seasons & Ways of Staying
- What happens in summer?
Summer is the Lodge's first opening season.
We host a small number of intentional retreats focused on:
connection
creativity
reflection
time away from phones, noise, and routine
These are shared, work-free experiences shaped by living together for a while.
- Do you host digital team offsites?
Yes.
Digital offsites will begin in summer and fall of 2026.
Offsites at Wakaranai are designed for small teams who want to think clearly, work with presence, and spend meaningful time together, not just relocate their office to a new backdrop.
Teams typically come for 7–14 days and use the Lodge as a shared base for:
focused work
long conversations
reflection and alignment
time outside and shared meals
Each offsite is curated and flexible, with optional support such as catering, movement sessions, or local experiences.
If your team or collective is interested, reach out to inside@dontknowlodge.com to start a conversation.
- What happens in winter?
Winter is for skiing, storms, and shared fires.
The Lodge sits between backcountry access and the Tomamu resort area, offering a quiet base for skiers who appreciate deep snow, simple lodge life, and unhurried evenings.
Winter operations will open in a later season and are not part of the initial summer retreat launch.
- Do you support remote work or digital nomads?
Yes, with intention.
Remote work is possible, including during winter, and the Lodge offers:
reliable internet
shared work tables
comfortable common spaces
That said, Wakaranai isn't designed for people to disappear into corners with headphones on all day. The emphasis is on community, shared rhythms, and connection, with work fitting into that, not overtaking it.
Doing Things (or Not)
- What can I do there?
Ski.
Write.
Cook.
Rest.
Walk.
Sit by the fire.
Watch weather move through the valley.
Unless you're part of a retreat or offsite, there's no fixed program. You set the rhythm.
- Do you offer guided activities?
Sometimes.
We collaborate with local guides, artists, builders, and practitioners when it feels right. Activities are offered as invitations, not obligations.
- What about internet and workspaces?
Yes, we have both.
The Lodge supports work when appropriate, but encourages guests to be thoughtful about how technology fits into shared life.
Bookings & Updates
- How can I book a stay?
For now, the best way is to:
join our mailing list
or write to inside@dontknowlodge.com
We'll share availability as each season opens.
- How can I receive updates?
Subscribe through the website or reach out by email.
We share progress quietly, as the story unfolds.
The Big Questions
- What kind of lodge is this, really?
The kind that's alive.
Shaped by the people who walk through the door.
Colored by conversation.
Flavored by meals.
Changed, slowly, by time.
- What if I still don't know?
Then you already understand.
Still not sure what you're looking for?
Perfect.
inside@dontknowlodge.com