Shinano-Takehara Station × Nature Experience AccommodationHighly rated for customer service and hospitality at Hotel·Ryokan

After seeing photos, I had long wanted to visit this Accommodation at least once, and this was my first stay. The real view was even more magnificent than the photos; while enjoying matcha in the lobby, the full glass wall opened up, removing any obstruction from sight, and I was deeply moved by the sensation of being completely filled with the lush green valley right before my eyes. Although the weather that day was unfortunately poor—perhaps due to a typhoon—the drifting rain mist added atmosphere like a sea of clouds, creating a truly ethereal world. Perhaps thanks to traditions passed down over many years, the hospitality was exceptionally polished; from being escorted to and briefed on our Room at check-in to every aspect of dining service, it was flawless with nothing to criticize. While traditional in spirit, the Facility is kept impeccably clean in a modern style (every faucet in both the Room and bath areas gleamed so much that it felt beyond mere cleanliness—I could almost sense the staff’s dedication), and we enjoyed every dish while also appreciating the presentation of their signature specialties. This is purely my personal impression, but it reminded me of a well-known culinary Ryokan in Yugawara (back before it was acquired by Hokkaido-based capital), and it has been a long time since I felt so strongly that I had found an outstanding “traditional Japanese Ryokan” with all three elements—service, cuisine, and location (including Facilities and Onsen)—perfectly aligned. It soothed both body and mind. Wanting to see snowy scenery through those windows, I went ahead and made a Reservation for December as well. With global warming reducing snowfall these days, there may not be much snow yet in December… (laugh). The only reason my rating for “Onsen / Baths” is 4 out of 5 is simply my small wish that the open-air bath were a bit larger.

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

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.

I stayed in a newly renovated Room, and it was wonderful. The in-room perks were excellent. In particular, the all-you-can-eat gelato was an incredibly generous service—perfect after the Onsen—and I enjoyed trying many different flavors. Everything was delicious. The pre-dinner aperitif can be chosen from the menu, and the lounge coffee machine is truly high-quality, so I used it many times. Both the quality and quantity of the meals were very satisfying, and what impressed me most was the staff. There were many young team members, but everyone’s hospitality was outstanding. Some staff members spent a long time chatting with elderly guests because they were approached for conversation, yet they responded without showing any displeasure at all—I was genuinely impressed. You can also enjoy two different types of Onsen water, and I think this Accommodation offers excellent value for money. I will definitely return again. Thank you very much for taking such great care of me.

The building and Rooms are certainly old, but the view from the lobby, the delicious meals made with care using local ingredients, the hot Onsen, and above all, the pleasant hospitality of the staff made our stay very comfortable. Thank you for taking such good care of us. I would like to visit again during the autumn foliage season.

The old-fashioned Momoyama-style bath was truly impressive. From the changing room, the detailed ceiling and flooring created a wonderful sense of character, and when I opened the door to the indoor bath, I couldn’t help but sigh at the atmosphere of a bygone era. The open-air bath also had an excellent ambiance. I rated service 4 because I would have appreciated clearer maps and signage inside the property.

The meals were beautifully presented and delicious, and the bath was wonderfully soothing—its gentle water warmed me to the core. The places we visited based on the owner’s advice (a walk and a roadside station) were also excellent. We were pleasantly surprised by the exceptional service of being able to use three yukata per person for a one-night stay, which is something you rarely find elsewhere, allowing us to relax in comfort. The attention to detail and thoughtful hospitality throughout were outstanding, and we had a wonderful time. Thank you very much.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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 reading everyone’s Reviews, we decided to stay at this Hotel! Just as the Reviews said, the Onsen was outstanding. The meals also offered a great variety of dishes, and everything was delicious. Other than the broken TV remote in our Room (we ended up operating it on the unit itself—I’m sorry I forgot to mention it directly), an unremovable stain in the Room toilet, and someone bringing a smartphone into the Onsen (I was very surprised), everything else—at this price for this season, the quality of the Onsen, and the hospitality of your staff—was extremely satisfying. Unfortunately, the weather was bad so we couldn’t go hiking, but next time I’d love to hike from the Maeyama Summer Lift. We look forward to staying again. Thank you very much for taking care of us.

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

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.

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.

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.