Kamisuwa Onsen Hamanoyu

After comparing several places to stay in Kamisuwa, we chose Hamanoyu because it seemed to put a lot of care into its food. We booked a renovated room, which had a lovely modern Japanese design and panoramic views of Lake Suwa. It was also spotlessly clean. The large communal bath was spacious, with plenty of washing stations, and we appreciated being able to choose our preferred shampoo and conditioner to take inside. As someone with long hair, I was also pleased to find newer, powerful hair dryers. Dinner was served in a private dining room. Every dish was wonderfully creative, making generous use of local Shinshu ingredients and seasonal produce. It was the most memorable and delicious dinner I have ever had. I had never been so impressed by a meal before. The rice was packed with Japanese matsutake mushrooms and tasted incredible, while the miso soup had an exceptional dashi broth. Dessert was perfectly ripe fruit, and everything was delicious from start to finish. This was the first time I have wanted to return somewhere just for the food. I would love to visit again.

A birthday trip for my husband. We were traveling with kids but still wanted a touch of luxury, and I’m so glad we stayed here!Right after entering the front desk area, there were turtles and koi, and the kids absolutely loved it!The room was wonderful, of course, and the view of Lake Suwa from the window was amazing.Dinner was in a private dining room, so we had our own space, and the garden view was beautiful.The food was delicious too!The next morning we took a short walk around Lake Suwa, which felt really refreshing.The service kept a comfortable distance while still feeling warm and genuine.On Ikkyu, this hotel is labeled as “Casual.”There may be various criteria behind that, but I feel it’s a shame—some people might skip it just because of that label.