Shinano-Takehara Station × Western Cuisine AccommodationHighly rated for dining at Hotel·Ryokan

We stay here every year around this time. The calm atmosphere is unchanged, the food is delicious, and the staff are wonderful as always—we are very satisfied every time. Until now, we have visited as a couple, but this year we came as a family of four with our two children. Our children also had a very fulfilling stay and were extremely happy. We would love to return next year as a family of four.

This trip was to celebrate my mother’s birthday. She requested to see the Onsen she had visited with my late father during their honeymoon, and also the snow monkeys at Jigokudani Monkey Park. We chose this Accommodation because Reviews repeatedly mentioned the private family bath and a homey, relaxing atmosphere. True to the Reviews, it was a wonderfully quiet and peaceful place. The warm glow of washi paper lamps displayed throughout was beautiful, and we could feel the proprietress’s thoughtful care in every detail. And the food—absolutely delicious! Dinner just kept coming (laugh). Every dish was freshly made and served hot. The best of all was the kake soba hand-made by the chef that very morning. I love soba and visit many places, but I’m sorry—this was truly the best I’ve ever had anywhere. Breakfast also made us happy with piping-hot dashimaki tamago. The highlight of breakfast was the miso soup—I wanted to take home the whole pot. As we’ve gotten older, we choose our trips carefully based on both meals and Accommodation quality, and this place offered outstanding value for money. More than anything, we made unforgettable memories here. On our way out, I bought one of the lamps that were on display at the Accommodation as a gift for my mother. Thanks to you, it became the best birthday present possible. We’ll come again in winter—and again for her birthday next year too. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to listen kindly to my mother’s stories (＾ω＾)

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.

Both dinner and breakfast were delicious, and we were very satisfied. Everyone I traveled with agreed it was delicious and finished every bite. The staff were courteous, and we had a wonderful time with friends I hadn’t seen in a while. Thank you very much.

I stayed at this Accommodation yesterday! The service was very attentive, and the in-room open-air bath was flawless. Watching the staff grill and prepare sushi right in front of us at dinner and breakfast made the experience even better. Thank you for a wonderful one-night stay!

I stayed for one night with my sister. The Room was very clean and well maintained, easy to use, and we enjoyed the in-Room bath many times (we even did laundry!). We had our meals at a charming traditional house restaurant with a wonderful atmosphere. Everything was delicious, right up to the final sushi! Thanks to the warm hospitality, we were able to relax and enjoy our stay. We also really enjoyed the snacks and gelato provided in the Room. We were blessed with great weather, making it a wonderful trip. Thank you very much for taking such good care of us—we will definitely be back!

The free-flowing Onsen water pours vigorously from the wall into the indoor bath, and in the open-air bath it cascades like a waterfall from the rocks—something Onsen lovers will truly appreciate. This was my father’s favorite place, and he was very happy. The meals were delicious and just the right amount. On the way to the large public bath, it was fun to see carp gathering where the spring water flows and bathing under it like a waterfall shower. The Room felt refreshingly cool with lush green trees outside. Thank you very much for your hospitality.

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!

After earning my Onsen Sommelier Master certification, I’ve been gradually visiting Onsen around Japan. The water quality in Shibu Onsen is truly wonderful. I was surprised by how many international visitors there were. Because the public bath tour was crowded, I couldn’t visit them all… but I was able to enjoy almost all of the baths at the Ryokan. The staff were very friendly and relaxed, which made my stay truly soothing. To Mr. Y from the male staff: thank you for all the fun conversations. If you have time, please do come to Niigata again.

I stayed for two nights in August and did not experience any major inconveniences. The meals were delicious. The Onsen was spacious, and I was able to relax and enjoy it. The staff were also very helpful. There was only one designated smoking area outside, but it was not particularly inconvenient.

Thank you as always. We were very satisfied. Points we noticed: The sliding door to the men’s bath does not close properly (since earlier this year?). It may need the roller height adjusted or the movement tightened. Some guest rooms have no Wi‑Fi signal or a weak connection, so please check. Even so, we will be back again.

The parking lot was spacious and convenient. The Room was clean and functional! The only slight dissatisfaction was the lack of a nearby convenience store, but while exploring, I found a yakiniku restaurant and enjoyed a delicious dinner. I appreciated the staff's thoughtful gestures, such as the handmade map.

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.

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.

The breakfast was surprisingly luxurious. I would like to stay here again.

This was my third stay, and as always I was very satisfied with the meals, the baths, and the hospitality. The dinner in particular felt like a course meal, which made it enjoyable to savor at a relaxed pace. Being able to enjoy a variety of wines and sake with the coin system was also a real treat for anyone who loves alcohol. They also provided guidance on recommended spots for firefly viewing, and I was able to see countless fireflies dancing in the night. The mornings and evenings were cool, so the duvet came in handy. I would love to stay again.

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!

Recommended for guests who want to fully enjoy skiing. The paid First Track option before regular operating hours is well worth it. You can also take a bath after check-out, and there are four washing machines available free of charge, which is very helpful for longer stays. The Room is small, but if you think of it as a ski training camp, it’s comfortable.

Unlike the Kanazawa Station location, I did not receive a confirmation call about pre-booking the EV charger. As a result, I called several times to Check Reservation, but every call was automatically routed to the call center, and I couldn’t tell whether my Reservation was secured until I arrived. When I explained this at the front desk, an older staff member apologized politely. Thankfully, the Reservation had been made. The EV charger is located behind the Hotel, and there is only one unit. By the way, this staff member provided the best and most professional service I have ever experienced at Route Inn—his attentiveness was outstanding. The lobby offered local Nakano apple juice and chilled sweets, which was a nice touch. The Room had been renovated, but the unit bath was an extremely small old-style type—especially the toilet. There were few restaurants nearby and it’s quite far to the station area, so we used Hanachaya in the Hotel for dinner. Route Inn properties with limited dining options nearby often have Hanachaya. I don’t think this was available before, but they now offer all-you-can-drink: 1 hour for 1,000 yen or 1.5 hours for 1,650 yen. It’s an excellent deal and hard to pass up. The draft beer was great, and they also had three types of local sake. The food was simply good, and the older gentleman working there was very kind. The bill ended up being very reasonable as well—I was satisfied overall. The only downside is that there aren’t many menu items; if you doubled the menu selection, sales and guest satisfaction would probably double too. Please consider it. Breakfast was fine overall, but it was disappointing that there wasn’t any curry here.

Affordable ski and snowboard rentals were very helpful.