Dinner portions is the smallest of all ryokans that we have stayed. Also the dinner staff was not Japanese. This did take the shine off the overall experience.

It’s a ryokan with a long history. We like the history tour of this place. However we booked a modern room with in suite hot bath. Love it.

Stayed in April 2024

Rooms were incredible and the private onsen on the balcony was our favorite in the area

Stunning! Exactly what you’d expect from a Ghibli inspired location

Stayed in April 2024

Roof was leaking lol

Iconic location, very clean, breakfast and dinner was amazing

Stayed in December 2023

We loved the room we had (special corner suite) and the open hot springs. The meal in our room was exceptional. We had lots of room and felt very comfortable during the stay.

Stayed in December 2023

The kaiseki cuisine was a memorable experience, the open air onsen was great, the staff gave good recommendations on places to visit in town and were super friendly. Small yet cozy town, will definitely come back again!

Stayed in December 2023

Too little time to enjoy all the onsens. Ideally, one must stay for at least 2 nights to fully experience all the amenities.

We loved everything about Sekizenkan. Our room has the best view! We enjoyed our hot tub in the evening while it was 4°c outside. The 11-course dinner was beyond our expectations. Both delicious and beautiful presentations. We love the lounge area also - the drinks, ice cream, and cookies the guests get to choose from and enjoy.

Stayed in December 2023

Might not be the best value for money for a solo traveler as most rooms are for 2 persons (including meals). I did not get any reduction in the rates even when the hotel provided only meals for 1 person. Perhaps I should have asked for 2 person's meals to be provided since the food was good and I was paying the full rate for 2 persons.

One of the nicest rooms that I have stayed in, the in-room onsen was especially enjoyable. Included meals were better than expected !

Stayed in October 2023

Honesty, the only thing I didn't like is that I had to take 2 trains and a bus from Nagano St. The roads here are very narrow as well so a rental car would have been difficult. I still think the trip is worth it!

LITERALLY THE BEST EXPERIENCE IN JAPAN. I am a Japanese American and have been to Japan several times and have stayed at different ryokans but this exceeded my expectations. First of all, the beauty of this hotel from the moment you walk in. I literally gasped when I walked in front of the ryokan. It is so breathtaking and you can see and feel the history of this ryokan. The lobby is on the 5th floor so when you first go, it's very confusing but after your first try you can basically navigate the ryokan very easily. The hotel staff were extremely professional and very friendly. They welcome you with hot tea and a cake and explain everything in detail. You are then escorted by a staff member to your room to explain everything. I got the bigger room and OMG the room was amazing. It was worth every penny! The private onsen with the beautiful balcony! We had a fully stocked complimentary fridge along with tea and coffee. There was a kotatsu in my room, a full living room, and two beds with the most fluffy comforter ever. We also received a Kaiseki style breakfast and dinner and the service was amazing there as well. The dinner was an 11 course dinner and it was amazing! I would have stayed there for a week if it wasn't for the price. I highly recommend!

Stayed in November 2023

It's not their fault, but: - Tbh it's really difficult to get there. A real journey when you're an outsider and have to find out how the Japanese transports work. We left from Tokyo by bullet train to Saitama, then got an Express Train to Nakanojo and from there we got a bus to Shima Onsen. You can say you learn a lot just to reach their area :") especially because of the way the bus works (remember, JR pass doesn't work on most buses and you have to either pay by IC cards or in cash). - The price is really expensive, so much that even the Japanese people doesn't stay in places like this often or for more than a couple days at most.

AMAZING. If I could, I'd stay there at least once a week every month :") no wonder it was one of the references for the movie Spirited Away. The staff is really kind and understand English kinda well, even though the place is huge, they give you a map to find your room and how to find yourself in the complex building. We stayed in the Mori Room and it was definitely beyond our expectations. The room was so big, it felt like you were actually booking a spacious apartment to stay rather than only a room. Also, there were local snacks replaced daily and selected beverages at our disposal in the room, all for free. The view was incredible, especially when bathing in the private onsen in the room. They had sliding doors to cover the glass walls, so it wasn't too bright in the morning, unlike what many people complain when staying at a ryokan. And of course, the spotlight of our stay: They place you on a PRIVATE ROOM for the meals, with a relaxing ambient sound and a view of their garden while serving you a whole course of Japanese meal on the fancy side.

Stayed in October 2023

Breakfast and dinner were very nice. The room was spacious and very comfortable. Staff was pleasant.

Stayed in October 2023

Hallways seemed a little run down. Maybe some of the facilities can be renovated.

The room was so lovely! Clean and the kotatsu was warm. It was very traditional and charming. The outside of the ryokan looks so pretty. The staff was very accommodating and nice.

Stayed in November 2023

Nothing.

The staff were amazing, incredibly welcoming and accommodating. They went out of their way to provide us with options for dietary requirements despite it being an inconvenience. The location is picturesque and the property itself is stunning, the multiple baths are all amazing and must be experienced. The room was beautiful and very clean. Our stay was absolutely wonderful and definitely a highlight of our trip to Japan!

Stayed in November 2023

It was the most perfect stay I've had in my life. Will definitely come again. The beauty of the room itself and of the view exceeded all expectations. The service was exceptional. I've spent hours in my private onsen and relaxed after Tokyo.

Stayed in November 2023

The town is pretty empty, but still pretty. Many hiking trails and painting spots along the river. I created a few gouache plein air paintings. JonBradham.com

Wonderful trip! The ancient inn is stunningly beautiful, the staff is amazing, the room Mori with private outdoor bath had everything and was incredibly comfortable. Kaiseki meals included with halfboard were super.

Stayed in November 2023

the posh dishes of breakfast and dinner can be made a bit more modern and flavourful

the breakfast was hit and misses but loved the posh vibes for ones and with the public baths inside the hotel was tattoo friendly but luckily booked rooms with private ones anyway

Stayed in October 2023

The check in wasn't great. When you go in the main entrance you have to lug your suitcases up some stairs, walk down several long halls (including one wet, dingy tunnel-like hallway) and go up two lifts to get to the check-in desk.

The meals were high quality, the staff lovely and the rooms comfortable. The outdoor Onsen was by far the best of the baths. The whole place was very peaceful, despite allowing children (note: my children were also on this trip) and I was glad to have found a place that comfortably suited a family.

Stayed in October 2023

It was perfect!

Amazing food - would be good to ask guests in advance for dietary requirements.

Stayed in October 2023

I didn't like mouldy stains in hallways. Carpets and walls need renovation.

Stayed in October 2023

Stunning historic hotel and with incredible food and very private spaces. Room with a private onsen is a must experience for any couple coming to Japan.

Stayed in October 2023

Magical place you feel like you are truly stepping back in time!

Stayed in September 2023

The staff was amazing and tentative. The attention to small details from checking in to the dinner(s) was spectacular.

Stayed in September 2023

Very good hospitality by the staff and great ambiance to relax and unwind.

Stayed in September 2023

There was no single thing that was not perfect.

Everything!!! Superb food, great and quiet location, excellent staff!!! There was no single thing that we wouldn’t rate AT LEAST 10/10. Greatly recommend staying more than 2 nights, so the atmosphere of the place and climate truly kicks in.

Stayed in September 2023

A historical onsen hotel A museum inside showing pictures of the old days Beautiful architecture with corridors to link up 3 buildings Fine dining (dinner)

Stayed in September 2023