Koushinetsu Hot Spring Area × Stays Popular For Snow-View BathsHighly rated for customer service and hospitality at Hotel·Ryokan

We had a truly wonderful stay. We stayed for two nights with our 1-year-old daughter. Dinner and breakfast were included, and the food was outstanding. They thoughtfully accommodated our child’s meals, taking her egg allergy and the size of the ingredients into consideration, and she was very happy. The staff also looked after her throughout, so we could enjoy our meal with peace of mind. The Room has special touches that help you forget the busyness of everyday life. Thanks to that, we were able to enjoy an extraordinary experience we don’t usually get to have. We would love to return again next time.

From the moment we arrived until we left, the hospitality was truly wonderful and deeply impressed us. The proprietress quickly remembered my daughter’s name and even came to greet us at dinner, and the staff who served our meal had such warm smiles. We thoroughly enjoyed the delicious food. We were also able to relax and fully enjoy the Onsen. I was happy that we could take a photo with the proprietress when we checked out. We would love to visit again, and we appreciate your continued hospitality.

After seeing photos, I had long wanted to visit this Accommodation at least once, and this was my first stay. The real view was even more magnificent than the photos; while enjoying matcha in the lobby, the full glass wall opened up, removing any obstruction from sight, and I was deeply moved by the sensation of being completely filled with the lush green valley right before my eyes. Although the weather that day was unfortunately poor—perhaps due to a typhoon—the drifting rain mist added atmosphere like a sea of clouds, creating a truly ethereal world. Perhaps thanks to traditions passed down over many years, the hospitality was exceptionally polished; from being escorted to and briefed on our Room at check-in to every aspect of dining service, it was flawless with nothing to criticize. While traditional in spirit, the Facility is kept impeccably clean in a modern style (every faucet in both the Room and bath areas gleamed so much that it felt beyond mere cleanliness—I could almost sense the staff’s dedication), and we enjoyed every dish while also appreciating the presentation of their signature specialties. This is purely my personal impression, but it reminded me of a well-known culinary Ryokan in Yugawara (back before it was acquired by Hokkaido-based capital), and it has been a long time since I felt so strongly that I had found an outstanding “traditional Japanese Ryokan” with all three elements—service, cuisine, and location (including Facilities and Onsen)—perfectly aligned. It soothed both body and mind. Wanting to see snowy scenery through those windows, I went ahead and made a Reservation for December as well. With global warming reducing snowfall these days, there may not be much snow yet in December… (laugh). The only reason my rating for “Onsen / Baths” is 4 out of 5 is simply my small wish that the open-air bath were a bit larger.

Everything was exceptional from pick-up to send-off. I stayed here after a weekend trek, and upon arrival we were welcomed with a welcome drink, along with a clear and courteous explanation of the Accommodation—brief yet thorough at all the key points. As for dinner, to put it in gourmet terms: “a blissful dining experience woven from artfully presented plates and a refined atmosphere.” In my own words: the ambiance was wonderful, everything was delicious, and I couldn’t wait to see what would come next! The private bath we used after the meal was also perfect—an open-air bath of just the right size, stocked with popular in-bath amenities that were gentle on the skin—so I could truly relax. The futon was very comfortable, and breakfast was healthy and vegetable-focused with delicious rice; the after-meal coffee in the lounge was excellent as well. Thank you for seeing us off so pleasantly at the end. We’ll be back! It really was an amazing weekend.

This was an Onsen trip with my mother and two daughters. Overall, both my mother and I were very satisfied. The price is not cheap, so it goes without saying that the Facility, amenities, and meals were excellent, but above all, the staff’s attentive service and thoughtful hospitality were outstanding. The bath in our Room was wonderful, and we also enjoyed the large public bath that switches between men and women in the morning and at night. The Onsen is sulfur-rich and warmed us up thoroughly. If we have the chance, this is an Accommodation we would definitely like to visit again.

We visited to celebrate my father’s 80th birthday. It was a long drive from Yokohama to Nagano, but this was a wonderful Accommodation that truly made us glad we came. The in-room open-air bath was a little hot and needed some adjustment, but it was clean, spacious, and free of insects. The shampoo and conditioner also left our hair smooth and silky. (Some Ryokan at this level still leave your hair feeling rough.) All the staff who welcomed us were smiling, and during dinner the head chef served the main dish right at our table. Everything was delicious—made with local ingredients and carefully prepared with great attention to detail. On our way out, they even opened the souvenir shop in the main building earlier for us, so I was happy to be able to buy the souvenirs I wanted. My parents were very pleased as well, so we would love to visit again while they are still healthy.

This was a wonderful place to stay. First, when I mentioned foods I couldn’t eat at the time of booking, I was surprised to receive an email right away with alternative suggestions. Everyone was very kind. Every meal was truly delicious and beautifully presented, and I was completely satisfied with everything, including the tableware and presentation. The baths were excellent. Including the day-use hot springs in Shibu Onsen, the water quality was wonderful, and I enjoyed soaking many times until it felt like it seeped into my skin. The carbonated spring in the indoor bath was also great. The property was spotless, and both the lounge and baths were always neat and well organized whenever I went. The pillow height and firmness were just right, and I slept very well. Above all, the staff were truly outstanding. They immediately noticed that I had caught a cold and felt chilly, and kindly brought me a lap blanket. They also remembered what we briefly talked about during dinner and even took the time to look things up and share helpful information with me. Thank you very much. From welcome to farewell, I sincerely appreciate everyone’s heartfelt hospitality. I highly recommend this accommodation.

It rained on the day of our stay, but the view from the upper salon of the rain-soaked, deep-green garden was wonderful and very soothing. Just as in the Reviews, every dish was delicious and truly impressive. The grilled ayu in particular was thoughtfully prepared and excellent. The cleanliness and service were impeccable. If I had to mention one thing, the large public bath felt a bit plain, so I think it would be even better with a little more atmosphere. I hope to visit again in a different season. Thank you very much.

It may sound a bit exaggerated, but it felt like going back to my family home—catching up on how things have been lately and, if the mood struck, stopping by places I was recommended. Meals were unpretentious, and bathing felt just like soaking in our own tub at home. I was able to truly relax.

We were able to stay at Kashiwaya again this year as a family, and we had a truly wonderful time. With only a few Rooms, we hardly ran into other guests even in the baths, so we could quietly enjoy the excellent waters of Bessho Onsen. The meals are gently seasoned and make the most of local ingredients, and no matter when we visit, it’s a mysterious Accommodation where we always sleep soundly at night. We look forward to visiting again.

I visited Shibu Onsen during the quieter period just after the Obon holidays. It was a very clean Onsen Ryokan, with the Room, amenities, and baths all well maintained. The level of service was just right, and I had a comfortable stay. As for the meals, I thought the adult dishes were good, but I wish there had been more creativity in the children’s meals. They consisted of fried foods such as sausages, frozen chicken, and French fries, and my child hardly ate any of it.

The bath and in-room dining were both excellent. This is an Accommodation we would definitely like to visit again.

This was our first stay at the accommodation. The dishes were beautifully presented, delicious, and very satisfying. The onsen water was slightly warm, with a soft texture that allowed us to relax and enjoy it at our own pace. The staff were incredibly kind and attentive, which w

I had a very comfortable stay. Both the property and the Room were clean and well maintained, with thorough housekeeping. The meals were delicious and served in just the right portions. The staff’s service was naturally friendly and made me feel at ease. The only disappointment was that I was looking forward to a beer after my bath, but there was no shop or vending machine, so I had to wait until dinner. That said, this is a rather indulgent request given how well stocked the drink bar in the lobby is. It was an Accommodation I would like to visit again.

Both dinner and breakfast were delicious, and we were very satisfied. The staff were also extremely friendly. Taking off our shoes at the entrance helped us relax even more. We would love to stay again if we have the opportunity!

The location right in front of Lake Suwa was excellent, and the room was clean. The meals, featuring mainly local specialties, were very delicious. We also really enjoyed the bus tour visiting the four major Suwa shrines—the guide’s explanations were thorough and easy to follow. We would love to stay again if we have the opportunity.

This was a wonderful Accommodation that made my first trip to Niigata truly special. While the building and furnishings showed their age, there were programs where we could enjoy local culture, such as shamisen performances and readings about the snow country, and thoughtful amenities like sake lees face packs, Japanese sake, and coffee, making it an Accommodation where we could fully enjoy Yuzawa. All of the staff, as well as the shamisen instructor, were outstanding. Thank you very much for your hospitality.

Each time we visit, the meals somehow get even better, and we thoroughly enjoyed three wonderful days with the luxuriously free-flowing Onsen, elegant setting, and attentive service—thank you for taking such great care of us. We were lucky to enjoy both the summer and autumn versions of dinner: beautifully presented menus featuring carefully selected local ingredients, delightful textures from thoughtful pairings, and a luxurious course that stayed delicious all the way through dessert. The Silk Curry served as the final dish is so addictive that we finished it even though we were already full. It had been a long time since we felt so completely satisfied in every way—thank you very much! We look forward to visiting again in another season.

This was my first time visiting Togura Kamiyamada Onsen. The proprietress kindly showed me to my room, and I was already in relaxation mode after being served delicious pickles and tea. The hot spring is 100% free-flowing from the source, available 24 hours a day. The water was wonderfully smooth with a gentle sulfur scent, and I enjoyed it many times—after arrival, at night, and again in the morning. And then the meal I had been looking forward to! Every dish was carefully prepared and truly delicious. I also tried the seasonal strawberry liqueur; it wasn’t overly sweet, and the fresh strawberry aroma was delightful. The proprietress served me with a warm smile, and our small conversations were so enjoyable that even though I was traveling solo, I had a wonderful time dining. I also appreciated being able to relax over my meal in the newly renovated private dining room. This was my first visit to Togura Kamiyamada Onsen, and both the baths and the cuisine were outstanding—I’d love to return in another season. Thank you very much.

The view from the room’s large, open windows is breathtaking. You can even see the leaves just beginning to turn, and it’s a scene you could watch forever. Dinner was served by the window as well, and we enjoyed it at dusk with the chorus of autumn insects as background music. The dishes featured mainly local ingredients, and everything was delicious—you could really tell each item had been carefully prepared with time and care. The abalone at dinner and the octopus at breakfast were simmered to a perfect tenderness, and the seafood in particular—soft-shelled turtle soup, sweet shrimp, blackthroat seaperch (nodoguro), and more—was outstanding. The sake paired with the meal was an exceptional selection that you likely rarely come across, and it matched perfectly all the way through to the final dish of beef simmered with Japanese peppercorns; we thoroughly enjoyed that pairing as well. The hot spring was also wonderfully comfortable—at just the right temperature that you can stay in for ages. It rained unfortunately the next day, but while waiting for the shuttle bus we heard a chorus of frogs from somewhere (they really do sing in unison!), which was soothing too. We’ll be back again.