Hotel berhampiran Tategahana Station, Nakano

Very helpful staff and friendly given we didn’t speak the language- night staff researched wooden article I bought and showed me the local tree it was made from. Just went the extra mile.

I visited Nagano both to visit family and to work. The reception was completely understanding of my need to have the hotel room for video calls overseas and kindly helped me arrange servicing of the room accordingly. The room size for one was comfortable enough for a foreigner about 6 foot 1 in height. The bed was cozy, and overall the room was quiet despite being there over the New Year holiday. The Chinese dinner box was pretty good, and the 16th floor breakfast buffet has both an amazing view and a delicious buffet. It's quite Japanese-themed, but has enough western food variety to make trying it more than once during the trip possible.

One of two former Sunroute hotels, one either side of Nagano station, both where we have stayed on previous visits. This has become a Sotetsu Fresa Inn, the other the Courtland. A couple of minutes walk from the station, and directly above a convenience store and with several restaurants very near the hotel, Fresa Inn is ideally located. Despite reserving months in advance, we were very disappointed to find that we had been allocated a smoking room on the 6th floor, directly above reception on the 5th floor. As two former smokers, we find the acrid stench of stale cigarette smoke extremely unpleasant. We asked for a non smoking room but none was available. The portable aircon/air freshener did not succeed in clearing the unpleasant odour. The room was reasonable in size, with good facilities and the buffet breakfast was very good, though the slowness of the two toasters was a bit annoying. Good hotel in general, but unfortunate in receiving a smoking room, at the front of the hotel, on the lowest floor, subject to noise from the street below.

An exceptional experience of traditional a Japanese guesthouse. Etiquette was explained so there weren't any embarrassing missteps, decor was subtle, rooms were very comfortable (ours had private bathroom facilities - rare to find with this style of accommodation), exceptional attention by staff (right down to directing traffic for our parking and departure), delicious traditional Japanese breakfast (catered for coeliac diners easily), tasteful onsen in house. Quiet street, easy walking distance to many local restaurants; snow monkey park not far away (5-8mins by car); free outdoor parking next door. We rate this exceptionally high and would love to stay again.

Amazing experience in Japan! I have been flying to Japan as airline staff for many years. Our experience in this Ryokan was exceptional. The food was the highest quality, the design and art of the hotel and the service was over and above! Being able to experience the Snow Monkeys in the hot springs early in the morning before the crowds was such an intimate and incredible event for me. I have pictures that are a once in a lifetime capture. Next we were abe to do spring skiing at the highest altitude in Japan! Coming back after a fun day to the cozy onsen experience and wonderful meal was a great comfort. There is also a beautiful bar and lounge for dessert or happy hour on the lobby level. You can watch the ski and Snow Monkey videos on the big screen.I can’t wait to return to this Inn again!

Great location, super convenient to train station. In addition, there is a nearby 7-11 which allows for quick purchase of essential supplies. The hotel provides washer and dryer for guest to clean their clothes which is good at affordable pricing. Only downside is the room is really small but that is the norm is Tokyo, will get used to it.

We stayed here for a couple of nights and it was a really clean and comfortable hotel and just a 7 minute walk from Nagano Station, a 7 minute walk to bus stop 23 for the Snow Monkey Park and close to a variety of restaurants and bars. It is also 15/20 minutes to Zenko-Ji which is a beautiful Buddhist temple and well worth visiting. We didn’t have breakfast included during our stay but other guests said that it was really good. Our room was really clean, spacious and comfortable with a firm mattress, a tv, toiletries and a kettle. In reception you can help yourself to teas, coffee and other toiletries for free which was helpful. The staff were really friendly and patient as we don’t speak Japanese. Our room was next to the railway line but the sound proofing was excellent and it was so quiet and we had two good nights of sleep. A comfortable and clean hotel that is conveniently located for exploring Negano.

I booked a night in Yudanaka with my partner so that we could visit the Snow Monkey Park. Most places were already booked up, so we went for Yorozuya (sometimes romanised as Yoroduya) even though it was a little beyond our budget. At £300 a night for a double room with dinner and breakfast, I thought “this had better be good…” Honestly, it was probably worth double that. The ryokan itself is massive; the atrium has a scale that almost defies sense. We were greeted by staff who were awaiting our arrival, and took our luggage up to our room while we enjoyed a complementary matcha tea. A guide led us up the stairs, handed us XL yukata to wear during our stay and explained the situation with towels. She took us in the lift to our room, and showed us how to access the onsens and where the dining halls would be. We took a few moments to settle into our tatami-floored room, change into our yukata, and investigate the albeit pretty boring view from our balcony. For the record: the joy here is _inside_ the ryokan rather than outside. We tested both the on-site onsen; they operate on schedules so that male guests and female guests bathe separately, but can both enjoy both of the baths. It is worth trying both. It’s a cliché to say, but particularly coming from Europe without much experience of this kind of venue, they made me feel like I was in Spirited Away, if Spirited Away was a series of Hokusai prints. I loved relaxing in the heat of the outdoor bath surrounded by rocks, trees and classically Japanese sculptures, with snow gently falling. Suitably relaxed, it was time for dinner. This was worth the whole booking price alone. We were served a 10-course kaiseki dinner, in a private booth, with attentive staff bringing us fresh water and sake whenever we desired. Every single bite was exquisite. While not 10 courses, this extended into breakfast which was a similar luxurious experience. I was sad we only had one night there, and would go back in a heartbeat. The experience of staying here creates a stronger draw for me to return to Yudanaka than the snow monkeys. We were treated so well, and truly unwound in a setting that felt almost too good to be real.

This Ryokan is located in a traditional Onsen village, with a nice, peaceful & old quaint atmosphere. There are many ( think it's 9) public onsens in the area which guests can also use, besides the inhouse one. Room is typical ryokan with tatami bed & inroom bath. Place is very clean. Service is par excellence! Very warm & friendly staff ( few speak English) all round makes you feel welcome. Staff will set up your bed( tatami) while one have their dinner. Traditional set Breakfast & Dinner (included) are very good quality, very traditional & excellent . Great inhouse onsen. Hotel can pick/send guests from/to train station ( from 1.30pm onwards only) . Also one way to Monkey Park. Easy bus access on main road. Only negative thing is this Ryokan is located at the end of a long uphill walk along the onsen village ( tough dragging heavy luggages or even just walking back). We arrive around 11am, so they can't pick us from train station. Took a bus & walk up & waited. Thankfully the nice lady ( think she is the owner) came to open door earlier to put our luggages. But no big issue. Lots of shops were not opened but some opened later in evening. Great experience not to be missed.

From the moment you enter Kokuya Ryokan, be prepared to leave the real world behind and fully immerse yourself in the experience. You swap your shoes for slippers at the door and don’t see them again until you leave. You will receive a warm welcome from polite and gentle-mannered staff, get taken up to your beautiful room, and once you’ve changed into your traditional yukata, it’s time to let the relaxation begin. The multi-course dinner will probably be one of the best meals you’ve had in your life, with many unusual textures and flavors to try. The futons are comfortable, and your room is kept toasty warm. There are even skincare products to keep you pampered and moisturized between soaks in the onsen. Honestly, you won’t even need to open your suitcase while you’re there. The staff will take you through all the logistics when you arrive, but there are some things that might be useful to know in advance. - The ryokan sends a shuttle to Yudanaka station at about 15:00 to collect new arrivals, so time your journey to take advantage of this benefit. - The ryokan also offers guests the opportunity to catch a shuttle to the Snow Monkey Park immediately after breakfast the next morning. - After you leave the ryokan, they will take your luggage down to the coffee shop opposite the station, so you don’t need to worry about those logistics. - Trains from Yudanaka back to Nagano leave at 12:30 and 15:30. - The ryokan itself has several private onsens that you can reserve for a 45-minute slot. Because the onsens are on the property, you can go in with your partner or travel companions regardless of gender. It’s a boutique hotel, so you don’t have to worry about not getting access to all the onsens you want. - The ryokan is on the main road of the Shibu Onsen town. The hotel will give you a key so you can wonder down the main road, visiting any of the public onsens you wish - however, with so many gorgeous and more private onsens in the hotel itself, you probably won’t have time or the desire for this. - Also, there is a coffee machine in the room! (I was worried about having to survive without coffee, and this turned out to be an unfounded concern). We had an incredible and totally indulgent time at Kokuya. Experiencing a traditional ryokan is a privilege that you should try at least once if you can. And adding the Snow Monkeys in give the trip a double purpose, making it that much more memorable. The only thing that would have made the trip better is if we had been allowed to linger longer over every course of our dinner.