Shimosuwa Station × Stays Popular For SunsetsHighly rated Hotel·Ryokan for Onsen and bath

I stayed in a newly renovated modern Japanese-style Room. The Room was clean, bright, spacious, and very comfortable. Fresh flowers were displayed throughout the building, and the hot spring baths were excellent. Perhaps because I visited during a record cold wave, the restaurant

There was also a tasting set that let you compare sake from five Suwa breweries; I visited my favorite brewery the next day and bought some sake. Although it is a large Accommodation, the staff’s hospitality was wonderful, and I had a very pleasant stay. I would love to visit a

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.

The Hotel is located due east of Lake Suwa. The main building has windows facing north and south, while the annex (Palace Wing) has windows facing east and west. Summer fireworks go up due north of the Hotel. If you are coming for the fireworks, it seems best to book a Room on the north side of the main building; if you want lake views and sunsets, a west-facing Room in the annex is recommended. (The “Floor Plan” on the Hotel’s official website is easy to understand.) Enter from the south side of the Hotel and head east into the large parking lot in front of the Hotel (south side). Leave your luggage with a bell person and park in an available space. Check in at reception. Your luggage will be taken to your Room on a cart. The Room is clean, stylish, bright, comfortable, and recently renovated. Along the large north-facing window there is a long counter and chairs. To the left you can see Lake Suwa; to the right, beyond the Japanese Red Cross hospital building, you can view Suwa town and the northern mountains. The night view is also beautiful. There is no view from the unit bath. At showtime, lights in buildings around town dim, and fireworks rise due north for about 10 minutes. There seems to be music as well, but it cannot be heard from inside the Room. The private bath “Anzu” is a scenic bath with a large window opening to the north. The private open-air bath “Karin” faces west but is screened by fencing for privacy. Both are spacious enough, have two washing stations each, and are clean. The Chinese cuisine is refined yet easy to enjoy. Most tables are families so it stays quiet, though there may occasionally be groups drinking loudly. The breakfast buffet is also excellent. There is a long counter on the west side where you can dine facing the lake as well (first come, first served). Breakfast hours are set generously long, and estimated busy times are posted as guidance. This Review rating reflects my personal impression assuming “3” means fair value for money at this price point.

The water quality was excellent, and I found it soothing enough to visit many times during my stay. Since it was during the summer vacation season, being able to watch the fireworks launched every day also became a wonderful memory. Separate two-piece samue loungewear is provide

We stayed in a detached Room. There were four of us, and it was very spacious with a beautiful interior—we were extremely satisfied. From the open-air bath on the 11th floor, we had a panoramic view of Lake Suwa. The meals also included free alcoholic beverages, and the staff were very attentive, so we had a truly wonderful time. Thank you very much.

The Room and the entire property were very clean, and we also enjoyed the garden view from the hallway. Although it was a Japanese-style Room, it had a desk and chair, which made it easy to do my makeup. After soaking in the Onsen, my skin felt so smooth the next day, and I was able to check out feeling truly happy!

Both the Room and the entire building were very clean and well maintained. The bath had tatami flooring, which felt wonderful, and the Onsen was excellent. The meals in particular featured a seasonal menu, beautifully presented on lovely Kutani ware, making them a delight even

Our family of four stayed at “Shimizu” for three nights. We’ve stayed here before, and once again it reminded us that this Accommodation isn’t just a place to sleep between sightseeing—it’s a place where the time spent in the traditional house itself becomes part of the trip. In the mornings, the kids played on the veranda, we took short walks, and in the evenings we simply relaxed. Our two-year-old especially loved it; even on our last day, they kept saying, “Let’s go back to the Shimizu house.” On our first night we ordered the apple wagyu sukiyaki set, and on another day we requested breakfast—seasonal chestnut rice that delighted the kids. It was also fun to buy local corn and vegetables at A-Coop and farm stands and cook for ourselves; we even turned leftover corn rice into rice balls for breakfast the next morning. Having meals at our own pace—so different from a Hotel or Ryokan—was truly wonderful. The kitchen and utensils were easy to use too; I liked the knife and cutting board so much I tried to find the same ones after we got home (seriously). One pleasant surprise was how close everything is despite being in a small village at the foot of Yatsugatake. A-Coop, Hamarano-en, Glacerie Pepin, Soba 12 Months, Sanroku Cafe, and more are all within 10 minutes by car. The yakiniku restaurant Mishakatei that we reserved for dinner is in Sasahara itself, and Shirakaba Lake / Kurumayama are about 20–30 minutes away. When we forgot a charging cable, it was only about seven minutes to a convenience store—which saved us. That said, having a car is pretty much essential if you want full freedom. And yet once you’re back in Sasahara, it feels completely surrounded by mountains. The morning air was so fresh it almost felt like waking up at a mountain hut. That contrast—“truly in nature” but “everything is close with a short drive”—is what makes Shimizu so special. The person who handled check-in also lives in this village area, and it was lovely to hear local tips—like how freshly harvested vegetables are sold nearby at Sasahara Machizukuri Council (within walking distance). Rather than simply staying at a tourist destination, it feels like you get to step into everyday life here for a little while. This time we also enjoyed eating out—eel dishes, soba noodles, cafes, yakiniku—and more. On busy holiday days some places were too crowded to get into—but then we’d buy ingredients locally instead and come back here: eating taiyaki on the veranda or watching dusk settle in. Those ordinary moments ended up being my strongest memories from this trip. Even three nights went by far too quickly. This Accommodation suits spending time as if you’re living quietly in Chino rather than packing your schedule with sightseeing. Next time I’d love to stay longer.

We stayed here with a large group in January. First of all, the traditional kura-style building is truly one of a kind. It has been beautifully renovated to suit modern needs while preserving the charm of classic Japanese architecture. It’s even more impressive in person than in photos, and you can really enjoy the building itself—perfect for anyone who loves architecture. The living room feels incredibly open, and even with a big group it never felt cramped. The kitchen was surprisingly spacious, and it was stocked with more than enough cookware and appliances. There was also a great variety of tableware, all stylish, which made cooking even more enjoyable. The dishwasher in particular was large and high-performance, making cleanup easy even for a big group. There are multiple bedrooms as well, so everyone can rest comfortably. This Accommodation is ideal for the purpose of “staying together as a large group and relaxing.” Overall it’s very spacious, so we could spend time there without feeling self-conscious. We only ordered breakfast, but it was simple Japanese food and very delicious. For lunch and dinner we arranged our own meals—buying ingredients at nearby supermarkets (Tsuruya and AEON are conveniently close) and cooking ourselves—and that became part of the fun of the stay. With such well-equipped facilities, this place is especially recommended for those who enjoy cooking. Even though it was cold around New Year’s, the inside was warm and comfortable. The separate hinoki bathhouse was amazing; you heat the indoor bath yourself, but the scent of hinoki wood and the atmosphere were truly relaxing. There is also another bath in the main house (with a modern tub), which you can use as well—and we appreciated the thoughtful touch of underfloor heating in the changing area there. We were highly satisfied with everything—the space, facilities, and overall atmosphere—and would love to visit again in a different season.