Koushinetsu Hot Spring Area × Stays Popular For Snow-View BathsHighly rated for rooms and amenities at Hotel·Ryokan

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.

I stayed in a newly renovated Room, and it was wonderful. The in-room perks were excellent. In particular, the all-you-can-eat gelato was an incredibly generous service—perfect after the Onsen—and I enjoyed trying many different flavors. Everything was delicious. The pre-dinner aperitif can be chosen from the menu, and the lounge coffee machine is truly high-quality, so I used it many times. Both the quality and quantity of the meals were very satisfying, and what impressed me most was the staff. There were many young team members, but everyone’s hospitality was outstanding. Some staff members spent a long time chatting with elderly guests because they were approached for conversation, yet they responded without showing any displeasure at all—I was genuinely impressed. You can also enjoy two different types of Onsen water, and I think this Accommodation offers excellent value for money. I will definitely return again. Thank you very much for taking such great care of me.

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.

We stayed here for our 30th wedding anniversary. Surrounded by the forests of Miyota, the quiet Room was very comfortable even with the windows open. The bath, the meals—everything was wonderful, and what made it all possible was the pleasant hospitality of the staff. Next time, we would like to visit during the season of fresh greenery and try the Italian cuisine. It became a truly memorable anniversary.

I was immediately captivated by the rural scenery from the Room. We stayed in a Room with an open-air bath, and we also used the private open-air bath. Every area was spotlessly cleaned, making it very pleasant. The in-Room amenities were thoughtfully prepared, and there was nothing missing—I felt you could arrive empty-handed and still enjoy a comfortable stay. I was especially impressed to find single-use packets of laundry detergent among the amenities; it really showed how considerate this Hotel is.

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.

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.

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.

Unfortunately, due to the rain we couldn’t have a BBQ, but we still had a wonderful time. The villa alone was very comfortable, and we made many great memories. We really appreciated that apple juice, wine, rice, miso soup, and more were provided. Everything was delicious. The Onsen was also excellent; although it rained a bit, everyone went in twice—once at night and once in the morning. We thought we wouldn’t be able to roast marshmallows because of the rain, but the owner showed us how to do it using a siphon coffee maker instead! Next time, we’d love to stay again when the weather is sunny.

It was a truly wonderful Accommodation. Fresh flowers were beautifully arranged throughout the building, everything was spotless, and the lounge offerings—drinks and sweets—were excellent. The breakfast mochi was also outstanding! It was a lovely Accommodation that left our whole family very satisfied. Thank you for the wonderful memories.

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 were welcomed with the staff’s bright smiles at check-in. The Room was spacious and clean. As always, no matter where we met them, the staff greeted us with a smile, and the team at the dinner venue did as well. Their smiles are truly warm hospitality.

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.

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.

Although we arrived in rainy weather, we were warmly welcomed by many staff members, making for a wonderful start that almost felt more than we deserved. The building, designated as a Tangible Cultural Property, has a rich sense of history, yet it is meticulously maintained throughout, allowing us to relax in complete comfort. In addition to the pleasantly warm and soothing Onsen, the cuisine was truly outstanding. On departure, they even took a complimentary commemorative photo and later sent it to our home—such a thoughtful gesture that made this an unforgettable memory. Everything was exceptional, including the hospitality, and this is an Accommodation we would love to stay at again. Thank you very much.

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

Since my first stay around 2019, this has been my number one “Accommodation I want to return to.” Sometimes revisiting a wonderful Accommodation can be a little disappointing, but this time there was nothing like that at all—I was completely satisfied with every aspect of the stay once again. The Room had a natural interior with the warmth of wood and felt very comfortable, and the lobby was also a relaxing space surrounded by greenery. From the moment we arrived, it truly felt like an escape from everyday life. Above all, the dining was outstanding. Not only did everything taste amazing, but the presentation and overall experience made it exciting—wondering what would come next was part of the fun. Even my partner, who doesn’t often say “delicious,” was genuinely impressed by the meat dish. Along with the meat’s natural sweetness and rich flavor, the pairing with the sauce was excellent—we were still talking on our way home about how truly delicious it was. It didn’t just meet expectations; it reminded me all over again how special this Accommodation is. We would love to visit again.

I’ve stayed at various Vacation Villages, but Retreat Azumino Hotel was completely different from any of them! This Hotel is too good to enjoy in just one night. It made me want a Multiple Night Stay. It’s quiet, spotless, and I have nothing to complain about.

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.

I had long wanted to visit this Hotel, but it was a bit far and I rarely had the chance. This time, I was finally able to stay for two nights. The sky was cloudy and looked like it might rain, so I was a little worried about whether we could enjoy the view, but there was no need to worry at all. We were able to take in stunning scenery, and it was well worth the effort to make the trip. The meals and baths were excellent, and all of the staff were very pleasant, making our stay truly comfortable. It is a wonderful Hotel that makes me want to visit again.