Shinano-Takehara Station × Flower-Viewing AccommodationHighly rated facilities at Hotel·Ryokan

We stayed here for a family trip during the Obon holidays. They kindly provided taxi pick-up and drop-off to Nagano Station, which was very helpful. The staff were attentive, and the facility was clean and pleasant, making our stay truly relaxing. The meals were also excellent. We would love to visit again in a different season. Thank you very much.

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 promptly carried our luggage inside. The hugely popular and notoriously hard-to-book “Chestnut Dessert Suzaku” will be available from 9/10 this year; since guests staying at Masuichi Kyakuden receive priority guaranteed access, Reservations for the Accommodation also become difficult after 9/10. Because we stayed before then, it was easy to secure our stay. 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 relaxing twin—and despite being in a kura-style structure, it even has a terrace with plenty of sunlight, making it bright and open. We were told there are other Rooms with an even calmer, more traditional kura feel; however, all 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; the glass-and-stainless bath is well worth seeing. Amenities are L’Occitane, there are complimentary drinks in the refrigerator along with coffee and tea—everything you’d expect from a high-end Ryokan—and overall the Room is very comfortable. For dinner, we walked about three minutes to Obusedo Main Store (part of the same Masuichi group). Every dish showcased the 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. They also made good use of local ingredients throughout, which made for a highly satisfying meal. Note that the first dishes served—blanched Kurakake beans and Matsumae-zuke—are not part of the course menu (just so you know). They’re clearly meant as snacks for alcohol—especially sake brewed by Masuichi Ichimura Sake Brewery within the same group—and they pair beautifully: firm Kurakake beans soaked in elegant dashi alongside Matsumae-zuke packed with seafood umami go perfectly with slowly sipped Masuichi sake. 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-style take on Suzaku. It’s available at their affiliated shop “Entotsu,” but just when we were about to give up due to long lines, we 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 treat yourself to one of their chestnut sweets featuring “Suzaku.” Overall it was an excellent stay—we thoroughly enjoyed Obuse.

Beautiful scenery, a resort-like atmosphere throughout the property, and carefully prepared seasonal dishes. The service was attentive, courteous, and truly pleasant. The cool natural air and enjoyable walks made me very glad I visited. Breakfast was also brought to our table, allowing us to relax and enjoy the meal at ease. I appreciated the Shuttle Service from Yudanaka Station, and taking a short break in the lounge was a wonderful time as well. Although it was a trip during the heat, I felt refreshed and ready to get through the summer with renewed energy. I am turning 77 this year. I want to continue enjoying wonderful trips—dressing up and savoring stays at Resort Hotels and Ryokans.

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＾)

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!

My husband and I stayed one night in the Nadeshiko Room. The Accommodation is quite far from the familiar sights of residential areas and shops, but it’s in a wonderful location surrounded by the greenery of Takayama Village. After seeing Raiden Falls, we were truly moved by the nature there. The Accommodation isn’t large and has a historic feel, but the interior has been nicely renovated. After check-in, simply relaxing in the lobby with a bowl of matcha while looking out at the trees right in front of us was incredibly soothing. The Nadeshiko Room we stayed in was especially spacious and barrier-free, so we could unwind comfortably. This time it was just the two of us and we’re still doing fine physically, but with this layout, we felt we could come back even when we’re older—and also imagined how nice it would be to visit with our son and his wife. Above all, the Onsen was absolutely amazing! We’ve stayed at many Onsen Accommodations, but here we could soak in a free-flowing hot spring bath with yunohana floating on the surface while enjoying seasonal views through the window. With its size and cleanliness, this Onsen is hands down our best experience ever. We were informed in advance, but the water temperature is quite hot, so if you prefer a milder bath you may need to adjust it. The meals were simple yet delicious dishes that made great use of ingredients unique to a mountain Ryokan—everything felt wholesome and nourishing. The river fish had no odor and tasted great; however, since there are only a few Rooms, I would have loved it served more freshly grilled. It was slightly firm, so my husband wondered if it might have been smoked. Overall, it was an ideal Accommodation for escaping everyday noise and spending time at ease. Choosing this place from all the options we researched before our trip was absolutely the right decision. Thank you very much.

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

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.

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.

Ideally located for skiing, with very convenient access to the bus stop and ski lifts. The Facility is old, but the service is good and it has the nostalgic charm of a traditional Ryokan. Meals are served individually (not buffet-style) using local ingredients, which felt like excellent value for money and very satisfying for middle-aged and older guests like myself. I’d like to make it my regular Accommodation for skiing.

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.

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.

The dinner course is exceptional and worth the trip on its own. A perfect balance of authentic Japanese cuisine and French dishes alternates beautifully, creating an outstanding dining experience. Additionally, the female staff are incredibly hardworking, the Onsen is excellent, and being located over 1500m above sea level makes it a perfect summer retreat. Despite the Facility being older, it is clean, well-maintained, and very comfortable. The Onsen was truly amazing as well. Shiga Kogen offers plenty of summer activities, and consulting with the Hotel staff provides a wide range of options to enjoy. It was a fantastic experience overall.