Shinano-Takehara Station × Highly rated Hotel·Ryokan for Onsen and bath - 2Page Number

We stayed at Nadeshiko no Ma. The staff were welcoming and attentive, the Room was spacious and spotless, the in-room bath with free-flowing natural hot spring water was excellent, and the meals were truly delicious. This is an Accommodation we will definitely return to.

Obuse, the town of Hokusai and chestnuts, is known for its beautiful streetscape that feels almost like a theme park. We arrived a little early by car, so we visited Gansho-in Temple and Jokoji Temple before heading to Masuichi Kyakuden. The ceiling painting at Gansho-in—Katsushika Hokusai’s “Phoenix Glancing in All Directions”—was truly breathtaking. As soon as we pulled up in front of Masuichi Kyakuden, a staff member came right out and efficiently carried our luggage inside. The highly sought-after “Chestnut Dessert Suzaku,” which is notoriously difficult to secure, will be offered from 9/10 this year. Because guests staying at Masuichi Kyakuden receive priority guaranteed access, it becomes even harder to make an Accommodation Reservation for stays from 9/10 onward. Since our stay was before then, making a Reservation was easy. Stepping inside Masuichi Kyakuden, you’re immediately enveloped by the stately atmosphere of the kura storehouse building. Our Room was on the second floor; we chose the Relax Twin style. Despite being in a kura-style structure, it also has a terrace, with plenty of natural light and an open feel. There are also more traditional, calmer kura-style Rooms available; however, we were told they are designed with high ceilings to avoid any sense of confinement. Designed by architect John Morford, the Room is fully Western-style with extensive use of stainless steel—its glass-and-stainless bath is well worth seeing. Amenities are L’Occitane; the refrigerator includes complimentary drinks; plus coffee and tea—everything you’d expect from a high-end Ryokan-style stay is provided, making the Room very comfortable. For dinner, we walked about three minutes to Obusedo Honten (part of the same Masuichi group). Every dish showcased the head chef’s experience and refined sensibility. The soup course, simmered dishes, and grilled items had a Kyoto kaiseki influence—above all else, the dashi was exceptional. The sashimi was fresh and perfectly seasoned as well. Local ingredients were used throughout for very high satisfaction overall. One note: the first items served—lightly dressed Kurakake beans and Matsumae-zuke—are not part of the course menu itself (just so you know). They’re clearly intended as snacks with alcohol—especially sake brewed by Masuichi Ichimura Sake Brewery within the same group—and both paired beautifully with their sake: firm Kurakake beans soaked in elegant dashi alongside Matsumae-zuke packed with rich seafood umami made each sip even better than before. In autumn Obuse becomes all about chestnuts; while we couldn’t try “Chestnut Dessert Suzaku,” we did get to enjoy “Mont Blanc Suzaku,” a Western-inspired take on Suzaku. It’s available at their affiliated shop “Entotsu.” We nearly gave up due to long lines but learned that overnight guests can make Reservations—so we were able to enjoy it without waiting. If you stay at Masuichi Kyakuden, be sure to indulge in one of their “Suzaku”-style chestnut sweets if you can. Overall it was an outstanding stay—we thoroughly enjoyed Obuse from start to finish.

Although it was the peak of summer and very hot, it was wonderfully cool here—perfect for a summer getaway. Above all, the food was absolutely delicious. The local dishes and beer were fantastic!

Okushiga is the most remote area within Shiga Kogen. In return, the snow quality was excellent, there were fewer people, and our stay was very comfortable. The Hotel itself felt quite old, but functionally there were no particular issues. However, the ski lockers were small and limited in space, so it was a bit difficult to fit skis and boots inside, and the area for putting on shoes was also cramped. The bath was not an Onsen, but it was spacious and relaxing to use. For dinner we used the French restaurant. Although Reviews were not very positive, the à la carte menu was very delicious. Breakfast had a decent variety and was satisfactory. Bathrobes were provided in the Room. I only realized at checkout that yukata could be provided upon request; I would have liked to have known earlier. The front desk staff responded politely and helpfully throughout our stay.

I stayed on the Shinshu Beef Plan. The meat was more generous than expected and absolutely delicious. There were also plenty of fresh vegetables, and the simple preparation let me fully enjoy their natural flavors. The Facility is old, but it has many furnishings that convey its history, and the overall atmosphere lets you immerse yourself in a Showa-era vibe. Perhaps due to energy-saving measures, some corridors and the post-bath lounge felt a bit dark at night and were slightly unsettling, but I can imagine how challenging it must be to maintain such large-scale facilities. The Onsen is one I want to visit again and again—please keep up the great work!

Dinner was a kaiseki meal, and the seafood chawanmushi was hearty and delicious. The Shinshu salmon sashimi and the apple-fed wagyu served as the hot dish were both fresh and melt-in-your-mouth good. Breakfast was a buffet with a wide variety of options; the salad, grilled salmon, and shijimi clam miso soup were especially tasty. The open-air bath in the large public bath area was clean and very relaxing. The bed was extremely comfortable—excellent. I’m truly grateful for two wonderful days that felt like an escape from everyday life. Thank you very much.

Thank you for taking care of us during the Obon holiday period. The Accommodation is old, but it was kept very clean inside. The private bath was also very spacious and nice. What was disappointing was the way the meals were laid out and how cramped the space was. There was no space to set down a tray, so we couldn’t even use seasonings, and it was inconvenient to place small plates; I’d like to see some improvement. There wasn’t much soy sauce available either, and it seemed we had to wait in a long line just to get soy sauce on our plates. The display layout also made items hard to pick up—for example, udon next to ice cream—so everything felt scattered. It’s a shame because everything else was good.

Dinner was at an izakaya using the Hotel voucher. We had a grilled fish set meal and local sake within the voucher amount. It was delicious. In the morning, we had bread and coffee; I would have liked a salad. The bath was very hot, but the water was great. The only drawback was that the parking lot was hard to find. Thank you for your hospitality.

Our stay for three men, all turning 72 this year, was very enjoyable. - We could park right in front of the Hotel, and the lift ticket counter is connected to the front desk. The 1-day pass was inexpensive (about half the price of other ski resorts), and Accommodation guests also received a 500-yen discount. - Both the Room and the large public bath were spacious, so we could relax. The dinner buffet included 1 hour of all-you-can-drink, and although there was no all-you-can-eat crab option, dishes were replenished quickly when they ran out, which we enjoyed. - A few points to consider: the air conditioner in the Room was quite noisy, and there were no chairs in the ski locker room. Also, the shop’s refrigerator only had ice cream and no ice; unfortunately, a store diagonally across from the parking lot had sold out of ice as well. All of the Southeast Asian staff at both reception and the restaurant were very pleasant—thank you for a wonderful ski trip.

The entire Hotel was very clean, and all the staff were kind and helpful, which made it a comfortable stay. The food was also delicious, and we were very satisfied. The Room is very simple, but that simplicity made it a calming space where we could relax.

The owner was very kind and gave us a warm welcome. They recommended many wonderful local attractions, such as apple picking, which we thoroughly enjoyed. The Room was spacious enough for one person, very quiet at night, and provided a comfortable stay. Additionally, the **bath (bathtub)** allowed me to relax as if I were at home. I would love to stay here again if I have the chance!

- They flexibly accommodated our request to change the Room location, considering convenience for the bath and dining room. - We appreciated the warm hospitality of the woman in charge of meals. - The female front desk manager kindly agreed to take a commemorative photo for us. We left the Accommodation with a very positive impression.

The Onsen water quality was excellent. From arrival until departure the next morning, we could use the large public bath at any time, and we enjoyed soaking in it many times. The building was kept very clean, and the staff at the Accommodation were wonderful. Although it is located in the central area of Shiga Kogen, it is a quiet environment. The air felt completely different from the heat down below. I think it is also a great base for trekking to places like Takamagahara and Higashidateyama. The only disappointment was that the weather was bad, so we couldn’t see the spectacular Northern Alps view that should have been visible from the window. Next time, I’d like to come back for a retry—possibly during ski season as well.

I’m not good with the cold, so I was a bit worried about how warm the Room would be, but there was a heater and a kotatsu, and they even provided a hot water bottle for sleeping, so I stayed very comfortably. Also, I didn’t know that access to nine different hot springs was included, but they were all fun and I was completely satisfied. Breakfast was delicious as well, and I truly had a wonderful time. Highly recommended Accommodation. Thank you very much.

We were blessed with great weather, and the view from our Room and the starry night sky were truly wonderful. The Onsen was also a sulfur-rich milky hot spring that we love, incredibly relaxing, and made for a very luxurious stay. Every dish was a carefully crafted creative kaiseki meal prepared for us, and it was delicious. We would love to visit again if we have the chance.

We visited as a couple and stayed in a Room for two with a private bath. The view from the bath was amazing—we were able to see a sea of clouds, which was the highlight of our stay. If I had to wish for something, it would be for the window to open wider. At first, it seemed like there weren’t many staff members, but every time we passed someone, they greeted us warmly. The Accommodation was quiet, and we could also enjoy complimentary drinks on the balcony, which was wonderful. The road getting there was quite tough, so it felt like an accomplishment! It was such a warm Accommodation—they even checked in with us about the weather.

This was my first stay, and the hotel is located right on the slopes, making it very convenient for skiing/snowboarding. The meal was part of a reasonable plan, and the steak was delicious—I’m glad I chose this plan. The room had a humidifier and was warm and comfortable. Next time, I’d like to book a multiple night stay.

First, about the room: we chose this accommodation because it was affordable and we were intrigued by the attic room. For two women, the space was sufficient, and despite its age, it was clean with a nice view from the window, which made us very satisfied. Although there is no toilet in the room and I thought it might be inconvenient at night, it was located just downstairs so I didn’t mind. However, during busy periods with many guests, this might cause some stress. As for the food, as mentioned in other reviews, it was absolutely delicious! The salad was crisp and fresh, and each dish felt carefully prepared. The manager’s response? Calm and courteous—it made our stay incredibly comfortable. The scenery of Takayama Village, the shops we stopped by on our way there, the accommodation itself, the food—everything left a deep impression on us. We can’t wait to visit again soon!