Shinano-Takehara Station × Accommodation With Relaxing Welcome LoungeHighly rated for dining at Hotel·Ryokan

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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!

Dinner was a kaiseki meal, and the seafood chawanmushi was hearty and delicious. The Shinshu salmon sashimi and the apple-fed wagyu served as the hot dish were both fresh and melt-in-your-mouth good. Breakfast was a buffet with a wide variety of options; the salad, grilled salmon, and shijimi clam miso soup were especially tasty. The open-air bath in the large public bath area was clean and very relaxing. The bed was extremely comfortable—excellent. I’m truly grateful for two wonderful days that felt like an escape from everyday life. Thank you very much.

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.

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.

The Onsen water quality was excellent. From arrival until departure the next morning, we could use the large public bath at any time, and we enjoyed soaking in it many times. The building was kept very clean, and the staff at the Accommodation were wonderful. Although it is located in the central area of Shiga Kogen, it is a quiet environment. The air felt completely different from the heat down below. I think it is also a great base for trekking to places like Takamagahara and Higashidateyama. The only disappointment was that the weather was bad, so we couldn’t see the spectacular Northern Alps view that should have been visible from the window. Next time, I’d like to come back for a retry—possibly during ski season as well.

We visited as a couple and stayed in a Room for two with a private bath. The view from the bath was amazing—we were able to see a sea of clouds, which was the highlight of our stay. If I had to wish for something, it would be for the window to open wider. At first, it seemed like there weren’t many staff members, but every time we passed someone, they greeted us warmly. The Accommodation was quiet, and we could also enjoy complimentary drinks on the balcony, which was wonderful. The road getting there was quite tough, so it felt like an accomplishment! It was such a warm Accommodation—they even checked in with us about the weather.

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 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.