Shinano-Takehara Station × Zen-Inspired AccommodationHighly rated Hotel·Ryokan for Onsen and bath

We visited to celebrate my father’s 80th birthday. It was a long drive from Yokohama to Nagano, but this was a wonderful Accommodation that truly made us glad we came. The in-room open-air bath was a little hot and needed some adjustment, but it was clean, spacious, and free of insects. The shampoo and conditioner also left our hair smooth and silky. (Some Ryokan at this level still leave your hair feeling rough.) All the staff who welcomed us were smiling, and during dinner the head chef served the main dish right at our table. Everything was delicious—made with local ingredients and carefully prepared with great attention to detail. On our way out, they even opened the souvenir shop in the main building earlier for us, so I was happy to be able to buy the souvenirs I wanted. My parents were very pleased as well, so we would love to visit again while they are still healthy.

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.

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＾)

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.

Thank you for taking care of me on my solo trip. I was looking for an Accommodation where I could quietly relax and fully enjoy the Onsen and meals, so I chose Jinpyokaku. Even though it was a hot season, there was plenty of greenery, and the Room was clean, quiet, and truly private. It was extremely comfortable. In particular, the in-room semi-open-air bath with free-flowing natural hot spring water available anytime was outstanding. On the charming walkway to the dining area, I felt soothed by the courtyard while listening to the evening cicadas— a nostalgic feeling that’s hard to put into words. Dinner was served in a private room, and every dish brought out the best of each ingredient—I even found myself thinking how delicious vegetables can be. The shabu-shabu was wonderful as expected, and the deep-fried cod coated with buckwheat groats was especially delicious. The portions were more than enough, and I also really enjoyed the local beer. Above all, what impressed me most was the heartfelt hospitality of all the staff. Their manners were impeccable—almost too perfect—and their thoughtful care made me feel truly grateful. I wanted to rest both mind and body, and I thoroughly enjoyed everything. Thank you very much.

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.