Shinano-Takehara Station × Accommodation For Enjoying FestivalsHighly rated Hotel·Ryokan

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.

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.

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 stayed here for my birthday. It was a calm, relaxing inn with a wonderfully peaceful atmosphere—perfect for adults to unwind, and I had a truly lovely time. Since I chose one of the more reasonably priced rooms, I did notice that some parts felt a bit dated (for example, the sink is located in the bathroom area), but everything was clean and it was still a comfortable space to relax at ease. All of the staff were very attentive, and during meals even the proprietress came around to greet guests—I really enjoyed chatting with her. The food was delicious, beautifully presented with lovely tableware, and I could feel the heartfelt hospitality in every detail. I used both baths; however, one of them is in a separate building, and going there alone felt a little scary (in a funny way). Also, the indoor bath temperature was quite hot. I prefer warmer water so I could just manage it, but my husband couldn’t handle it at all. They mentioned they adjust it using well water, so perhaps it varies day by day and is difficult to control consistently. The location was ideal as well—it was fun being able to step right out into the hot spring town and enjoy its traditional charm. One small disappointment: on departure I wanted to take photos in front of the inn, but there were no staff members around anywhere to ask (maybe just bad timing). Overall it was an excellent stay, and next time I’d love to book an upgraded room and relax even more.

I requested a last-minute change to the number of guests, and Yorozuya handled it with exceptional kindness and professionalism. The hot springs and the room were wonderful, and the meals in particular were delicious—we were very satisfied. All of the staff were pleasant as well. Thank you very much. We would definitely like to stay 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.

Thank you very much for everything. Every year, we take a trip around our September wedding anniversary holiday. This year, we decided to visit Shibu Onsen, which my wife had long dreamed of, and booked through the IKYU site. The reasons I rated the Onsen and the Facility/amenities 4 stars are as follows: The Onsen water was simply too hot. I apologize to those who prefer very hot baths, but if you could lower the temperature of the source water flowing into the bath a bit more, it would be easier to relax. The private-bath system itself is good. As for the Facility/amenities, I would really like you to add a small shop. If guests want to have drinks in their room at night, it can feel a bit inconvenient. Other than that, I have no complaints at all. At first, all the stairs in the Ryokan were tough, but we gradually got used to them—and it was fun exploring the maze-like corridors while visiting different indoor baths. (It may be a little challenging for elderly guests...) As for service, this was one of the best Ryokan experiences we’ve ever had. The attendant who told us about local specialties and sights, the young man with glasses who gave us a ride on the tuk-tuk, and everyone from overseas whom we passed in the hallways—all of it was wonderful. We would love to visit again. Thank you very much.

Thank you for taking care of me on this touring trip! I really appreciated being allowed to park my motorcycle under the eaves by the entrance. The staff included many young women from overseas, and everyone served us politely with constant smiles, so I was able to fully enjoy a satisfying Onsen Accommodation—thank you very much. Next time, I’d like to visit with my wife and daughters as a family, and I look forward to seeing you then. If I may make one request: I had a beer in the floor area next to the front desk, but I was disappointed that the glass was at room temperature (it was a hot day, so it felt lukewarm). I would be grateful if you could consider this. Thank you again for such an enjoyable stay at your Onsen Accommodation. This middle-aged rider will definitely be back!

I had previously visited for a day trip to the Onsen and loved both the Onsen and the scenery, so I decided to stay overnight. The meals were excellent, the view from the Room was wonderful, and my stay was very comfortable. Unfortunately, the outdoor bath in the morning was so cold that it hardly felt like an Onsen.\n\nAs it is currently off-season, there was no shuttle bus on weekdays, which made things difficult. Even one round-trip Shuttle Service would be very helpful.

I stayed at this Onsen Accommodation for a Multiple Night Stay of two nights. Both breakfast and dinner were served in the same private dining room, and we had the same staff member each time, so we could enjoy our meals in a very relaxed and calm atmosphere. The food was excellent and very satisfying. However, there was no accommodation guidebook in the Room, so I would have appreciated having one.

We stayed with our 8-month-old child and a family of three. The dappled sunlight through the garden with the white wisteria tree was pleasant, allowing us to relax and enjoy the time as the day turned to night. As it is a property limited to one group, I think it is perfect for relaxing. (It was also very nice for us as a family to have a place where we could let our child roll around.) The hostess takes care of everything from check-in to serving meals and providing shuttle service. She is a very loving person, accommodating our various requests, allowing us to have a pleasant stay. This time, we requested various things like baby food and a surprise cake for our wedding anniversary. They prepared local vegetables and a cake from a recommended shop, allowing us to feel the essence of the area while staying at the property. Around the property, there are stylish shops utilizing the townscape of storehouses. If you visit, I think you can ask the hostess for recommendations on good places to visit. This is a property recommended for a long and leisurely stay. This time, we relaxed from lunchtime until the next day's noon. (The coffee we had on the garden veranda in the morning was delicious.) It seems they also accommodate late check-out until 5 PM, so it might be worth considering for your travel schedule.

I visited Suzaka for reasons other than sightseeing. After finishing my main errands, it was still before check-in, so they kindly stored my luggage. They also used a map to explain the area around the Accommodation so I could spend my free time well. It was raining, but thanks to their help I was able to enjoy exploring the area. After checking in and having dinner out, I had a great time in the evening chatting with the Accommodation staff and a guest from Spain. After check-out, they drove me to where I needed to go, which was a huge help. If I have another chance to visit Suzaka, I would love to stay again.

In any case, the host treated us very well. The food was also delicious.

This accommodation is located right next to a famous architectural accommodation in Shibu Onsen, in front of the ninth bath of the Sotoyu Meguri. It is an ideal location for enjoying the Sotoyu Meguri. The hospitality from all staff, including the proprietress, is exceptional, making it a very pleasant place to stay. While the guest rooms are slightly dated, the meals are impeccable in both variety and taste, and of course, the onsen water soothes deep into your body to relieve daily fatigue. For us as a couple, this accommodation exceeded our expectations.

Thank you for your hospitality. The staff were very pleasant, and the Room was clean and comfortable. The Onsen was also clean and very relaxing. The food was average.

The ski slopes are immediately to the left as soon as you step outside the entrance, so it was great that we could change into our gear in the Room and head straight out. The Onsen was also very relaxing and enjoyable. The staff were wonderful—everyone greeted us with a smile and kindly answered our questions. The building is old, but it was clean and didn’t bother us. It snowed until early morning, then cleared up around 9 a.m., making for perfect conditions.

I stayed at this Accommodation during the summer season.\nThe entire building had undergone major renovations, and it was very clean, making for a comfortable stay.\nThe food was delicious, and the chef-made omelets at the breakfast buffet were outstanding.\nIn addition to the large public bath, there was also a private family bath, and I could use the free massage chairs. After bathing, it was wonderful to cool off in the evening on the balcony on the third floor while enjoying a beer.\nIn winter, staying in the Ichinose area offers better access to the ski resort, so I would love to stay here again if I have another chance during summer.

They kindly accommodated our unreasonable requests, and we were very satisfied.

It is not luxurious, but personally, it was a comfortable ski accommodation.