Nationwide × Stays Popular For Snow-View BathsHighly rated for customer service and hospitality at Hotel·Ryokan - 34Page Number

This Accommodation is located near a ski resort, and the building feels a bit dated. There was still a faint scent of old tatami in the room, but we didn’t encounter any stink bugs that sometimes appear at mountain lodgings, which was reassuring. The bath is an Onsen with a gentle feel on the skin and a slightly silky texture. I prefer soaking slowly in warm rather than hot water, and the temperature was just right for me. Dinner is served around an irori hearth. There seemed to be a tour-bus group staying that day as well, and the dining area was nearly full. Their menu appeared to be different from ours, but our hearth-grilled dishes were carefully turned at the right time by the attendant, and everything was delicious. This isn’t an Accommodation for those seeking glamour or luxury, but what impressed us most was the very reasonable price. It’s surprisingly affordable for a place listed on IKYU—about the cost of one night at a Business Hotel in Tokyo—and it even includes dinner for two. Considering the cool summer climate and this price point, it was more than satisfying stay.

If you love Onsen, this place is truly heaven—there are 18 private baths. This was my third stay, and I still haven’t managed to try them all. The detached cottage “Aoi” has its own open-air bath, which is absolutely wonderful. I always end up completely satisfied just using the bath in the Room. The spring quality is a simple Onsen (slightly alkaline, hypotonic, high-temperature) with a pH of 8.3. It feels gentle on the skin and is easy to enjoy in a different way from more distinctive springs like sulfur Onsen. It’s comfortable for longer soaks, and being able to enjoy it many times during your stay is part of the appeal. Many of the open-air baths have a rustic, DIY-like feel. Numerous private baths are scattered across the vast grounds, and I can only imagine how much work it must be to maintain and manage so many. Because this Accommodation is surrounded by nature, things like insects and fallen leaves are somewhat unavoidable. In July there were quite a few insects, and when I visited last September I also had trouble with biting gnats. Even so, this Accommodation has more than enough charm to make up for it. The source spring has an abundant flow rate, and the source temperature is very high at 76.1°C. To bring it down to a comfortable temperature, adding water may sometimes be necessary. As an Onsen lover, I’d ideally like to enjoy pure free-flowing water without dilution—but with such a high-temperature source spring, I understand that temperature control can be challenging. Many of the staff are from overseas, but everyone speaks Japanese well and I’ve never felt inconvenienced. They are always polite and attentive. And despite being such a secluded hot-spring retreat, it’s great that the meals are genuinely delicious as well. This time we ordered sukiyaki as an extra dish; it was excellent and very satisfying. In winter this area apparently gets extremely heavy snowfall. Next time I’d love to visit in winter and enjoy an outdoor bath while admiring snowy scenery.

It’s been eight years since our last stay, and this was our first visit back in a while. We returned because it’s one of our favorites, but here are a few things we noticed for next time: - We would like one more face towel at the washbasin in the Room, since two of us are staying. - Toiletries such as lotion are provided, but my wife said she would like emulsion/moisturizer as well. - A few dishes tasted quite salty to us—such as the breakfast soup, grilled salmon, and pickles. We had heard that Nagano Prefecture has been reducing salt recently. Despite these comments, this remains our favorite Accommodation thanks to the excellent hospitality of the staff. Thank you for taking care of us. We will visit again.

Everything—from the service and the Hotel’s interior design to the teppanyaki and even the smallest details in the guest room—was perfect. It was a truly moving and wonderful stay.

Although the Hotel is located in the countryside, the staff’s hospitality and the quality of the meals are on par with a three-star hotel.

In its calm setting, this Accommodation had the quiet charm of Shimosuwa and gently helped me unwind from the fatigue of travel. The bath was “Wata no Yu.” The water felt soft and soothing on the skin, warming me through to the core. There is also a private open-air bath, and it was wonderfully relaxing to soak in silence without worrying about anyone around. Breakfast was unhurried as well, and I could enjoy it slowly in a peaceful atmosphere. Combined with Shimosuwa’s crisp morning air, it felt like a time that refreshed even my mind. It’s also conveniently located for visiting Suwa Taisha Shrine and exploring Shimosuwa on foot—an Accommodation I’d love to return to.

We stayed here for our family trip at the end of summer vacation. It was a special Room—the only one of its kind in the Hotel. It had the space of two Rooms plus a living area, and an exceptionally large bathroom—about the size of another Room—with a spacious bathtub where you can fully stretch out, as well as a separate shower room. The bubble-bath function had been removed, but features such as the marble flooring gave it a very luxurious feel. There were also private stairs, a ramp, and an exclusive corridor leading to this special Room, with outstanding attention to privacy. From the Room, we enjoyed breathtaking views over all of Lake Megami and the surrounding mountains. There were three large TVs, which delighted our children, and we could use the air conditioning as well, so we stayed comfortable throughout our visit. The public bath included an open-air bath and even two saunas, and the lockers were clean. From the open-air bath we could look out over Lake Megami and the mountains while relaxing in the Onsen. We enjoyed cooling off in the cold bath, watching clouds drift by, and taking our time to fully appreciate Tateshina Onsen. As it was peak season, both dinner and breakfast were buffet only; while there weren’t many items overall, each dish was truly delicious. The coffee did not seem to be freshly drip-brewed from a machine like those found at some buffets, so having a coffee machine would be nice. Next time we are very much looking forward to trying kaiseki cuisine at the basement-level restaurant as well. As an IKYU.com Diamond member benefit I requested late check-out; unfortunately it wasn’t possible due to peak season demand. Still, this is such a wonderful Hotel that we wanted to stay even longer—the Room was beautiful, spacious, and impressive in every way. Thank you also for the Diamond member gifts (a bottle of wine and souvenirs from Nagano). Since in Parking Lot No. 1 the wheelchair-priority space is shared with EV charging spaces, I think it would be better to separate them so that enough spaces can be secured to meet nighttime EV charging demand while keeping accessible parking available at all times. We arrived at 11:00 and completed check-in procedures first; the front desk staff were excellent. We requested early check-in but it wasn’t possible due to peak season; however when keys became available before 3:00 p.m., they were handed out in order of completion of procedures—so arriving early was worthwhile for us after all. We will be staying in this same Room again in the future as well; thank you in advance from our whole family for your continued hospitality. Thank you very much to all staff members.”

We stayed for 2 nights and 3 days. Overall, it was comfortable. The bath on the 7th floor had a fairly lukewarm tub, which was great because soaking in it after the hotter tub let us enjoy a longer time without overheating. On the other hand, the bath on the 1st floor has only four washing stations. While there are multiple tubs, most are so small that they barely fit one or two people, so I wouldn’t really recommend it unless you visit on a quiet day or specifically want to try several small baths. Meals (both breakfast and dinner) changed between the first and second night, so even with a Multiple Night Stay we didn’t get bored. You can enjoy many different dishes in small portions, and there’s also a special, creative feel to them. Everything was tasty, but not so impressive that it’s worth setting your expectations too high. The fish dishes were average; the meat dishes were very good. It was also nice that you can order Fukushima sake and other drinks for an additional fee. All staff were warm and welcoming. The Room was clean and spacious, and the bed was comfortable. We could see nature through large windows, and the amenities/Facility were well equipped: a large desk with a sturdy chair, a powerful hair dryer, a full-length mirror (stand mirror), tea and coffee, etc. However, it was disappointing that the desk drawer hit the chair armrests making it hard to pull up close to the desk, and that the light on the stand mirror had dead batteries. Since we stayed during Obon season there were many families with children, so it may not suit those looking for a quiet adults-only atmosphere. Also, since it said “no cleaning unless requested” for Multiple Night Stay guests we didn’t ask for anything—but staff still entered our Room to replace amenities without warning us first. This part of their guidance is unclear. There are hardly any shops nearby such as convenience stores, so it’s not ideal if you plan to sightsee only in the immediate area. It seems better suited either for going out toward the station area or for relaxing at this Accommodation. We didn’t use it ourselves, but they also appear to offer a free Shuttle Service bus to another affiliated Onsen.

It was a wonderful Ryokan in every respect—hospitality, open-air bath, and meals. I would stay here again.

This was my second visit. I felt the meals were even more satisfying than last time. When I asked, I was told that the proprietress herself stands at the pantry. Her heartfelt hospitality truly came through. I enjoyed the lovely flowers in the room, as well as the charming children’s drawings displayed throughout. As I was drawing water outside before leaving, they kindly filled my brought-in plastic bottles at the sink—so much heavy water to carry. They also showed me a back route to Norikura Eco Line, an exciting road. Thank you for everything. The milky-white hot spring water was wonderfully fragrant; its scent lingered for quite a while. Hoping to return again, and wishing everyone happiness.

This is the best Accommodation in the Okuhida Onsen area. The value for money is outstanding. We really enjoyed the open-air bath in the Room, the private open-air bath, and the lounge area after bathing. This was our second stay.

The hot spring water was wonderfully silky. The bath area was clean and spacious, and from the open-air bath we could see a sky full of stars—I could have stayed in forever. We only had breakfast, but it was delicious and very filling. I think this is a lovely Accommodation where you can relax and feel at ease.

I stayed here on my first trip to Hokkaido in a while. I was extremely satisfied with the outstanding location, the cleanliness of the rooms, and the exceptional hospitality of everyone at the Hotel. The view from the open-air bath was also wonderful, and I would definitely like to stay here again. Thank you very much.

From the warm welcome to the meals and the open-air bath in the guest room, every aspect of the service was fully satisfying. Perhaps because it was raining, there were fewer insects as well.

I had never seen coral grass before, and since the Coral Grass Festival is in mid-September, I honestly didn’t have high expectations for an October stay. However, from the moment we entered the parking lot guided by the Kagariya signboard, all we could say was “Wow!” The two of us on this girls’ trip were greeted by a stunning view of fully bloomed coral grass. I had no idea the location was this perfect. Although the building is old, it was impeccably clean and comfortable. The highlight, however, was the food. When choosing the accommodation, I had looked at photos, and the simmered Kinki fish was the deciding factor. The freshly caught Kinki fish served was just as impressive, if not more. It was so delicious that we applauded. Every other dish was equally delightful, leaving us completely satisfied. We stayed in a room facing the lake, and the breathtaking view of Lake Notoro from the window in the morning was unforgettable. From sunrise to the changing light and the many birds flying in, even red-crowned cranes came to feed. Next time, I hope to enjoy a full-course Kinki fish meal.

It was an Accommodation on the mountainside of Mt. Hakkoda, almost like a mountain lodge. As such, the Facility showed some age, but it also had a charming sense of history. The Onsen was excellent. The meals were just the right portion for seniors. The Shuttle Service from Shin-Aomori was a great help. On the way back, you also stopped by Sukayu Onsen—thank you very much. The night sky full of stars was wonderful as well.

I visited with my daughter, and from start to finish we were able to relax and enjoy a comfortable, unhurried stay. The Room was clean and simple yet well equipped with everything we needed, and the private open-air bath in the Room—available as many times as we liked at any hour—was truly soothing. The meals were excellent, especially the rice, and we enjoyed hearty dinners and breakfasts. We were also allowed to bring our own alcohol, so we brought a local wine; glasses were kindly provided, and it seemed other guests also brought their own drinks and enjoyed them in their own way. The proprietress’s hospitality was thoughtful without being overbearing—she checked in at just the right moments with a gentle word—and the pleasant atmosphere throughout made this a wonderful Accommodation that I’d love to visit again next time with my husband.

The property was better maintained and cleaner than I expected from the exterior. The meals were generous, and the rice in particular was delicious. The international staff were well trained, and their friendly service with a smile was very pleasant.

The Onsen inside the property was wonderful, and the private open-air bath in the detached annex was outstanding in both its Facility and the view. The open-air bath in particular was incredibly soothing, set in a location shaped by nature. We had both dinner and breakfast, and if only I’d had a bit more room in my stomach…I would have loved to enjoy even more. My one regret is that there were dishes I passed on. Everything we did have was excellent. I really appreciated being told when the tempura at dinner was freshly fried—it was absolutely delicious. Thank you as well for making my “everything included” omelet at breakfast come true. I didn’t know there would be a doctor fish experience, but it was so much fun it made me let out a weird sound.

The moment I stepped into the building at check-in, the stylish lobby raised my expectations. The Room we were shown was not only chic with a modern Japanese touch, but also spacious and relaxing. Some Accommodations look great but have cheap furniture; here, you could really feel the quality and attention to detail in the furnishings, which made it even more comfortable. The in-room bath was fed directly from the hot spring source, and the washing area was roomy—there was no need to use the large public bath. I ended up bathing four times in one night. Even details like the hair dryer and shampoo amenities showed thoughtful selection. The meals were excellent, especially dinner. They made great use of local ingredients; every dish was creative, original, and delicious. There aren’t many Accommodations that make me want to return, but this one truly did. The staff were also very pleasant and welcoming.