สถานี Shinano-Takehara × ที่พักพร้อมบ่อน้ำพุร้อนเพื่อผิวเนียนดุจไข่โรงแรม·เรียวกังที่มีคะแนนความพึงพอใจสูง

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 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.

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＾)

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.

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.

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!

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

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.

I stayed on the Shinshu Beef Plan. The meat was more generous than expected and absolutely delicious. There were also plenty of fresh vegetables, and the simple preparation let me fully enjoy their natural flavors. The Facility is old, but it has many furnishings that convey its history, and the overall atmosphere lets you immerse yourself in a Showa-era vibe. Perhaps due to energy-saving measures, some corridors and the post-bath lounge felt a bit dark at night and were slightly unsettling, but I can imagine how challenging it must be to maintain such large-scale facilities. The Onsen is one I want to visit again and again—please keep up the great work!

Dinner was at an izakaya using the Hotel voucher. We had a grilled fish set meal and local sake within the voucher amount. It was delicious. In the morning, we had bread and coffee; I would have liked a salad. The bath was very hot, but the water was great. The only drawback was that the parking lot was hard to find. Thank you for your hospitality.

It’s still disappointing that the Room toilet does not have a bidet, but using the shared toilets is not an issue. Last year, one of the two shared toilets had a squat-style toilet (unacceptable), but this year both have bidet seats, which is a major improvement. They look like the same new model, so they may have been replaced at the same time. Breakfast and dinner are buffet-style, and it was excellent that there was no overlap in side-dish selections between Day 1 and Day 2. It’s subtle, but you can see the effort. Also, as a small detail, it’s reassuring that drinks in the vending machines are sold at normal prices rather than marked up for a tourist area.

I was able to use the day-use Onsen Facility, and in such a nature-rich setting, I truly felt refreshed. Breakfast was reasonably priced as well, and I had a comfortable stay—next time, I’d like to plan my trip so I can stay a bit longer.