Hotel 2-Star di Nagano Prefecture, Japan

I had a wonderful stay at Amagawaso in Shibu Onsen. The ryokan is run by an elderly couple who don’t speak English, but they were incredibly sweet and welcoming. With the help of Google Translate, communication was easy enough and actually added to the charm of the experience. They provided yukata and geta for exploring the town, as well as the key that gives access to the nine public onsens in Shibu — an amazing and unique experience. On top of that, the ryokan offers a free 40-minute private onsen session, which was a lovely touch. Our room was very spacious, and shortly after we arrived, the hostess came in to prepare complimentary matcha tea for us. She also gifted us steamed buns filled with red bean paste, which felt incredibly thoughtful. The location is also very convenient for visiting the Snow Monkey Park, making it an excellent base for exploring the area. Overall, the hospitality was genuine, the onsen experience was fantastic, and the atmosphere felt authentically traditional. Highly recommend staying here if you’re visiting Shibu Onsen or planning a trip to see the snow monkeys.

The hotel located in good location, with walking distance to the city center area where you can find shops, restaurants, or even Matsumoto Castle. Parking lot provided with fees but it’s quite convenient. The most favorite from this hotel is there’re plenty of amenities – shampoo, conditioner, shower gel from a lot of brands that you can select by yourself at the lobby.

I had a large tatami room with side sitting area and sink as well as an ante-room. I had three delicious Japanese meals at the ryokan that were served with polite elegance. The two in-house onsen baths were a joy to use after a day of skiing. The staff was knowledgeable about how to get around by the buses and suggested the best restaurants for days that I did not eat at the ryokan. Senshinkan Matsuya was situated in the center of.Shibu Onsen town next to three of the public onsen. I could not ask for a better stay!

The location is super convenient, really close to both the train and bus stations. There's even a Daiso in the same building, though we didn't have time to check it out. The soundproofing could be a bit better; a few times we thought someone was knocking on our door, but it was probably just people walking by in the hallway. Our stay was pretty short, so we didn't get a chance to enjoy the hotel's hot spring or read any of their manga (they had so many classics!). The room itself was huge, definitely the biggest we stayed in on this trip to Japan. Overall, it was a comfortable stay, and having restaurants nearby for dinner was a big plus.

Amazing Stay at Hotel Iwasuge – A Hidden Gem for Ski & Onsen Lovers! We had an incredible stay at Hotel Iwasuge, which truly became the highlight of our trip. While the interior may be a bit dated, the five-star service and exceptional food more than made up for it. We stayed for two nights on a half-board plan, and every meal was different, delicious, and thoughtfully prepared. The hospitality was outstanding—every staff member was incredibly helpful and made us feel right at home. The location is perfect for skiing, with ski-in, ski-out access. There are two lifts right next to the hotel—one going up and one going down. The slopes nearby offer a mix of red and green tracks, making them ideal for beginners and families. Our kids especially loved the wide, easy slopes. We also rented ski equipment directly from the hotel (though helmets were not included). After a long day on the slopes, the Hoppo Onsen was the perfect way to relax. The onsen itself is so good that we noticed some visitors coming just for the hot spring experience! We have stayed in many four- and five-star hotels, and Hotel Iwasuge is truly one of the best. It may not be as widely known, but it absolutely deserves more recognition. We highly recommend it to anyone looking for a fantastic ski, onsen, and gourmet experience in Shiga Kogen. We can’t wait to return!

Since it was cheaper than other ryokans in the area, I didn’t expect much. But to my surprise, it offered full service—just like the more expensive ryokans I’ve stayed at before! They even provided a pickup service from the train station, which I forgot to book. Luckily, a Western couple sitting next to me on the train had reserved it. When I saw the “Hotel Housei” sign on the van outside the station, I hopped in! The hotel is a bit far from the station and involves walking up and down hills, so carrying luggage all the way would have been quite tough. I was really fortunate to catch that ride! Cherry blossoms were in full bloom along the river, just a few steps from the hotel—such a beautiful sight. The room wasn’t large, but it had enough space and was very comfortable. The elderly gentleman at the front desk seemed to speak multiple languages—he even knew some Thai! He was incredibly friendly and welcoming. The onsen was wonderful. The indoor bath was a bit too hot for me, but the outdoor bath was cooler and more relaxing. Breakfast was a buffet, which was decent. In conclusion, this place was absolutely worth it. Next time, if I go skiing in Shiga Kogen or bring someone to see the snow monkeys, I’ll definitely remember to book the pick-up and drop-off service in advance!

Fukashiso could be one of the loveliest accommodation that I have ever stayed at. The staff were very polite, attentive and extremely helpful and courteous. The place itself is so beautiful and quaint. Traditional garments are provided as an option if you want to dress up for dinner. Made for great photo ops! The Kaiseki was the most beautiful equivalent of a degustation I’ve tried, and it was served in a lovely separate intimate dining area. During dinner Nobu-San a fourth generation family member of the owners greeted us which was a lovely touch. Soba was freshly made at the accomodation. We stayed two nights and the Kaiseki menu was different each time. Breakfast was a nice assortment of Japanese and Western options and the coffee machine was actually pretty good. I enjoyed the onsens, there are two public ones that switch locations for men and women and a private one. They were well equipped and relaxing. Our room was on Level 1 with a private bathroom, seating area and little garden view. Overall this place is highly recommended. For a traditional ryokan experience, it was so nice. Even after we checked out, the receptionist gave us a little gift, and even walked us outside to where our car was parked. Such a warm and lovely place. Stay here for sure!

I’m so excited to share a review for this amazing couple. Kazuo-san and his wife were very kind and caring throughout my entire stay. They had the right amenities for a Bed and Breakfast that caters to ski lovers and snow boarders. The B&B is also a more traditional and heritage kind, preserving the authentic looks through time, they’ve been running this for 35 beautiful years. If you’d like, dinner is also available as an add-on, nothing beats a high value home-cooked food, made from the heart. I’ll highly recommend this location, Kazuo-san also goes the extra mile to drop you off at the pick-up points if you don’t have your own car. Beyond that Kazuo-san is also very knowledgeable and informed with the latest news, so he’s able to recommend good ski resorts, summer activities or even delve into the history of surrounding areas like Kurohime and more. I was quite shocked to see some earlier reviews by other foreigners that rated this location quite poorly when they don’t understand what they’ve booked. This is a bed and breakfast inn and it’s every inch authentic as it should be. So if you’re looking for a fuss-free stay with friendly authentic folks, this should be on your list.

The hostess of this store is very young and beautiful, with a smile! The temperament is very good 👌👍! I visited this ”Hot Spring Street” and it was indeed the price of this ”Ape” Youth Hostel! Attach the photo taken. One person is less than NT$1,000 a night! This hot spring hotel is really cheap! The hostess of this shop is very young and beautiful with a smile on her face!The temperament is very good👌👍!I visited this ”hot spring street” and indeed the price of this ”ape” youth hostel is the most affordable! Attached are the photos taken. It's less than 1,000 Taiwan dollars per person per night! This kind of hot spring hotel is really cheap!

My GF's review: My stay in Meiji Onsen Ryokan was my first stay at a ryokan, and I’ve never felt more welcome at any other hospitality place I’ve been to before, of which there are many. And even after the first day, I am pretty sure it will probably stay this way forever. I am very grateful for your kind welcome and I am amazed at the work that the team of your hotel does at this place. Everything feels natural and beautiful, and the atmosphere is so peaceful and special. People who work here are passionate about their job, and as a passionate person myself I feel energized and happy to see others be so amused about what they do. I will always remember my first stay here and I will compare other ryokans I go to with Meiji Onsen Ryokan, because I feel that it’s the best ryokan in Japan. Thank you so much for this amazing experience. And Okami-chan is the best girl in all of Nagano! When I come back home, I will tell everyone who she is and where she is from - Meiji Onsen Ryokan, Chino, Nagano, Japan! 🇯🇵 (As a fantastic bonus, it’s even allowed to go in with uncovered tattoos! Not every ryokan can match up to that!)