The staff were very friendly and helpful. We took the free shuttle at 9.45am to the Snow Monkey Park. You still have to walk 1.8km from the stop to the park. We ended up walking back to the hotel as it was all downhill. There are meant to be hourly public buses back. We enjoyed sleeping in a traditional ryokan but 2 nights was enough. I read many reviews about how great the food was. We had 2 breakfasts and one kaiseki dinner. The food was nice but we have had much nicer food at other places in Japan. The private onsen was great.

Stayed in December 2023

We loved our stay. The hotel and room was traditional, clean and the beds really comfortable. The staff were really hospitable and catered to all our needs. We hope to return.

Stayed in December 2023

Not walking distance to yudanaka station, bus is the only viable option. Not ideal for large group with large luggage.

Hotel staff service was superb. We requested pickup at Yudanaka station due to large group and the hotel staff replied promptly and showed up on time. Only A few of them could speak good english. They were also very attentive and meticulous in explaining the use of slippers, hot bath facilities nearby. Shibu onsen is within walking distance but restaurants were limited and many not open for dinner during our stay on dec 8. On departure day, hotel staff also patiently showed us bus timetable and bus stop location to go to shiga kogen.

Stayed in December 2023

Tall people need to be careful!

Fun, authentic, clean and exceptionally friendly staff. The food preparation was outstanding.

Stayed in December 2023

Private bath, food, yukata, restaurant

Stayed in December 2023

It's not that we didn't like it, it's that our western bodies were not use to the thin futons. We fixed it by adding extra bedding underneath.

We loved the location. Directly behind the hotel is the most gorgeous little lane way full of Onsens and eateries and a great bottleshop. We had dinner and breakfast here, both are full Japanese cuisine experience. Amazing! The hotel provides a shuttle to the snow monkey park , which is only minutes away. We had an early train to catch, and the staff took us to the station with a smile, no charge. It is a true ryokan ,which made this a wonderful authentic Japanese experience. The staff were brilliant, couldn't be more helpful or kind.

Stayed in November 2023

You could hear the cars on the street in the onsen

The best food we had in our 3 week trip through Japan! The hosts were incredibly nice. They really care about providing the best experience to guests.

Stayed in November 2023

Only a few small things: although it is close, it doesnt belong to the Shibu Onsen so you can't use the public bath houses there. But not a big issue since the inn has its own onsens (communal plus private ones you can book for 50 mins). Beware of the room heating - they can get really warm!

A delightful little inn in a quiet onsen town. The owner and her staff went above and beyond. The food was meticulously presented and served. Pick the half board option. Did not get to check out both onsens as we were knackered but the one we went to was spacious and clean with indoor and outdoor options. They offer free transfers to the Snow Monkey Park entrance every morning at 9:45-ish which was really convenient. It is also right next to the Shibu Onsen main street - great for an evening stroll. Overall a great option if you want to spend the night locally before/after seeing the snow monkeys, and to experience staying at a Ryokan.

Stayed in December 2023

Amazing service!

Stayed in November 2023

Long walk to get there, we couldn't find a bus from Yudanaka. Room was for four people but it was very cramped since entire floor was covered with beds.

Stayed in November 2023

Our room overlooked the river, and we were able to open the window and listen to it rushing down the valley every night. Staff wore traditional clothing and were truly exceptional. Also the Toto toilet was next level 😂

Stayed in October 2023

- nothing to complain

+ very nice service and friendly staff + food was very good and tasty + clean and spacious rooms

Stayed in November 2023

The free beer dispenser was unique and creative

Stayed in November 2023

What an amazing experience this hotel offers. There's a free shuttle from the train station, when you arrive at the hotel you're offered a warm welcome. Once inside you surrender your shoes and are given slippers. A person accompanies you to your room and serves you tea while explaining details about the hotel. We chose to pay more to use the private onsen which I would highly recommend. Some rooms come with an onsen but we gather only the larger rooms (ours didn't). The Japanese breakfast the next morning was fantastic.

Stayed in November 2023

Not many restaurants around but we found a few good ones. Wish it was a bit closer to the Gion area but it does have the benefit of being close to the station.

Our favourite hotel out of the five we stayed in on our Japan holiday! Amazing onsen facilities, free treats like ramen and ice creams, comfy beds and very quiet with good-size rooms.

Stayed in October 2023

The price was high, but we did opt for the private onsen in the room and it was on the edge of being worth it.

Amazing Onsen style Ryokan in Japanese alps, convenient for visit to Snow Monkey Park. Mainly Japanese people staying for the local famous Onsen experience. Breakfast and Dinner were both worth the extra money and served in private rooms. Staff were super helpful and picked us up from station and drove us to the Monkey park in the morning.

Stayed in November 2023

Outdoor onsen area is not very big.

Nice experience of onsen hotel in Japan. Staff is extremely helpful. Clean facility and not crowded.

Stayed in October 2023

Friendly staff and service ! Authentically Japan cuisine!

Stayed in November 2023

The staff were brilliant. Attentive and helpful.

Stayed in November 2023

We loved everything!

We loved everything about our stay. The staff very warmly welcomed us. Our room was big and the futons very comfy. The food served at dinner and breakfast was tasty and delicious. The onsen was wonderful with a beautiful outside area. The location next to historic onsen is also great. They also provided us a free shuttle ride to the Snow Monkey Park (you take the bus on the way back but beware of the schedule because we waited 2 hours to head back to Nagano). Our only regret was that we couldn’t spend one more night at the ryokan. One night was too short.

Stayed in October 2023

———

Truly a great experience. It’s great to see the 170 year traditions of this family property is being with maintained and improved. After 50 years visiting Japan and being exposed to its highest levels of hospitality this Ryokan is excellent. Small requests resolved with a minimum of fuss. Clear advice on how to get the best out of the town light up night walk and monkey park appreciated

Stayed in November 2023

Nothing

Clean, friendly and attentive staff (there english was ok, anything they didn't understand we could communicate via google translate), close to snow monkey park. Great food and private bath (additional cost though if you didn't book a room with the open air bath)

Stayed in November 2023

I highly recommend this Ryokan. People are really friendly, Onsen are soooooo nice and everything is so authentic. Food is amazing. If you want a really great experience, come here :)

Stayed in November 2023

N/A

The ryokan is small & intimate. The meals were superb . The staff was exceedingly responsive - providing coffee for us and another couple (also staying at Matsuya) after breakfast and also providing beer for all of us in the late afternoon in the lobby. The room was very comfortable. The indoor and outdoor onsens were great.

Stayed in October 2023

The beds on the floor were uncomfortable for both my wife and I, but tolerable for 2 nights. My son seemed fine with it though.

We loved everything except the sleeping arrangements.

Stayed in October 2023