토가리 온천 스키장 (호시후루 캠핑장) 주변 × 눈 구경 목욕으로 인기 있는 숙소식사의 평가가 높은 호텔·료칸

It may sound a bit exaggerated, but it felt like going back to my family home—catching up on how things have been lately and, if the mood struck, stopping by places I was recommended. Meals were unpretentious, and bathing felt just like soaking in our own tub at home. I was able to truly relax.

I stayed at Naraya Ryokan before moving overseas in November. I won’t be back for a while, but I’m glad I had the chance to stay at such a wonderful Ryokan. The Room, meals, and Onsen were all excellent.

The food was exactly what I expected. It looked great and tasted great. The watermelon in this season was sweet and delicious. I got carried away and ate too much, and ended up feeling unwell. The staff’s service also felt completely different from other hotels and was very pleasant (smiles, greetings, etc.). The Room was spacious and relaxing, but perhaps the walls are thin—the voices of guests walking in the hallway echoed more than expected, so that was the only downside for me.

After winding through narrow alleys, we arrived at the Ryokan. From the Room we were shown to, we could see the Asagama kiln up close. Since we arrived a little early, we headed into the Onsen town with a hand-drawn map made by the proprietress. After visiting three public baths, we stopped by a shop that brews craft beer and enjoyed a drink with edamame. The seasonal breeze felt wonderfully refreshing. These public baths are maintained by local residents, and visitors use them by placing a voluntary contribution in a donation box. Both the changing area and the bath itself are small, but it didn’t bother us at all. It was wonderful to see that these traditional communal baths are still part of everyday life here. The Ryokan is an older building, but it is well cared for and very clean. When I opened the window in my Room and read, I could hear people passing outside and birdsong carried on a pleasant breeze. In contrast to many Ryokan that feel shut off from the outside world, this sense of connection was especially comforting. What left the strongest impression was the food: dishes made mainly with local ingredients were not flashy, but beautifully seasoned—I found myself thinking how refined the chef’s palate must be. Breakfast was similar: simple rather than extravagant, yet deeply satisfying by the end. The couple who run the Ryokan were also very welcoming, making our stay comfortable from start to finish. This visit reminded me of what makes Nozawa Onsen so special as a town: narrow streets and old-fashioned shops remain; communal baths are protected by local residents; and its unique Onsen-town culture continues without being swept away by showy development. Soak in an Onsen, stroll through town, enjoy a beer, return to your Accommodation and read while feeling the atmosphere outside—then savor a delicious meal. It was a trip where such ordinary moments felt truly rich. I’d love to visit Nozawa Onsen again in another season.

The view from the Room was great, and the large public bath was also excellent. Because it was a quiet location, I was able to relax and spend time in the property. Dinner and breakfast were delicious.

Nozawa Onsen has few accommodations that allow pets. Among them, we had an excellent stay in a spacious log house room, enjoying a relaxing onsen experience. They provided a parking pass for visiting the public baths in town and even allowed us to use the onsen after the trail race the next day. The attentive service was truly appreciated. We look forward to staying here again when we participate in the race next year.

Although there is only one type of spring source—our favorite sulfur Onsen—we enjoyed how the water color differed between the indoor bath and the open-air bath. The open-air bath also offered beautiful fresh green maple leaves, and we would love to visit again during the autumn foliage season. The meals were a satisfying amount for enjoying drinks, with seasonal items as well. The asparagus tempura in particular was outstanding. The building is old, but the Room had been renovated and was clean. From the Room, we enjoyed the garden flowers and fresh greenery.

I stayed here for a Multiple Night Stay during my trip to Nagano. Even though I arrived much earlier than planned, the front desk staff kindly assisted me, which was very helpful. The Room was spacious enough for a family, and since it was just the two of us as a couple, we could really relax. Because the location is up in the mountains, it was quiet and cool at night, and I slept well. Breakfast was buffet-style with a sufficient variety. Since I stayed multiple nights, I had breakfast twice, and I appreciated that the selection changed slightly. There are vending machines for drinks and ice cream inside the building, as well as a small shop, but there are no convenience stores or restaurants nearby. If you choose a Plan without meals or plan to have light food and drinks in your Room, I recommend shopping before arriving at the Accommodation. I also had a Plan without dinner, so the front desk staff told me about “Madarao no Yu,” located a short way down the hill. Thank you to all the staff for their kind hospitality—this was my first Multiple Night Stay, and I had a very comfortable time.

We enjoyed a lot at the Hotel, playing mini-golf and swimming in the pool. If we had more time, it seemed fun to take the lift to enjoy the scenery and go hiking. I thought it was a good Hotel to stay with children and spend time leisurely. The bath was also nice, and the buffet restaurant was delicious and good.

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.

Since I visit Madarao Kogen 2–3 times every year, I always book this Room for a Multiple Night Stay whenever it is available. The Facility is understandably a bit dated, but the Room is thoroughly cleaned, and I truly appreciate how kindly they take care of me even when I arrive late each time.