The music in the hotel lobby was awful! Old french songs (my husband is French and he said those old songs made the hotel feel a bit creepy). Simple, classical music would suit the property better. The hotel could use a facelift, especially for the price that is charged. Carpets are worn out in many areas. The area leading to the private onsens is a bit strange and the smoking rooms smoke smell escapes and permeates the surroundings

We loved the location it was beautiful tucked away in the mountains near a stream-lovely! The private dining rooms were nice and the library/lobby area. The little walk around the grounds was lovely. The private onsen had a beautiful views as did the in room onsen. The staff was always kind and helpful. The cuisine was mostly good and well prepared.

Stayed in May 2025

The facilities are beautiful and well maintained. The staff was very courteous and very customer service oriented. We enjoyed our stay immensely and would go back.

Stayed in May 2025

Some aspects of logistics were unclear.

Breakfast in private room was exceptional

Stayed in May 2025

nice welcoming hotel, friendly service staff, clean and well equipped room. the complimentary 30mins private onsen booking is really worth a try, it’s so refreshing and relaxing. the ryokan dinner and breakfast are authentic and sumptuous. we really enjoyed ourself very much. highly recommended!!

Stayed in May 2025

Beautiful and authentic - amazing food and service

Stayed in April 2025

Due to its location there are scant local transportation options.

Many things: its aesthetic and interior design, its film, literary, and nearby Jomon history, its locale and placement in the landscape, and of course the baths and service are exemplary.

Stayed in April 2025

You can only book a 30m, private onsen, otherwise you need to use the public onsen. The USBs in the room did not work.

Huge Room, Great facilities, Very calming and nice. Great overall place

Stayed in April 2025

We stayed here for two nights of our 14 nights in Japan. It was the fanciest and most relaxing part of the trip. All meals and even one drink per person per dinner was included in our package and y'all, the food was so good. You eat in a small private dining room in your comfortable indoor clothes. You don't make any choices so you'll have to be the type that eats what you're fed, though they do cater to allergies (not for us). The food is great quality and variety even if some of it isn't your taste (try everything though!). We had a western style room with two twin beds. I'm 6'4" and I was fine with everything including bathroom and shower. I couldn't quite fit in the chairs at our little table but I didn't need to. The private bath you can reserve is great, I can't take hot baths like my lady can but it was a good temperature. It was cold outside and an open air bath but it wasn't uncomfortable getting in or out. All the interior spaces are beautiful with an elegant library theme. The exterior is slightly more plain but the running stream through the property makes up for that. The staff struggled a little more than the hotels we'd stayed in thus far with helping us in English, but we had English menus and verbal explanations at meals and everyone took great care of us. Checkin was a breeze as they were expecting us and had all the paperwork prepared.

Stayed in March 2025

Just amazing, the decoration, with 30000 books, a beautiful spot in the mountains near the river, the onsens, and, last but not least, the food - you get the most incredible multiple courses menu - all of this for incredibly reasonable price.

Stayed in April 2025

This was one of the best places we have ever stayed at. Every meal felt like a celebration, the hot springs were delightful, and the room was spotless. I would like to extend a special thanks to the staff. We would love to include this place in every trip whenever possible. One suggestion – it would be great to have vending machines with milk

Stayed in January 2025

Everything was perfect. Beautiful and calm location. Delicious food - we stayed for 2 nights and it was a different menu for both breakfast and kaiseki dinner on each day. Very nice collection of books and art albums in the lounge area. Lovely cocktails in the bar. But the best part was very attentive and friendly staff. Both my wife and I have tattoos so we stayed in the room with a private onsen. It was fantastic and you can adjust the temperature for your liking. Absolutely worth it. Also, the staff helped us to reserve a public bath for private use outside of busy hours so we can enjoy beautiful scenery of Nagano. The hotel has very unique vibe and history. Can't wait to visit it again.

Stayed in December 2024

Nothing

Amazing staff, food, ambience!!

Stayed in February 2025

although my wife enjoyed her massage, my son & i were quite disappointed by the overall spa facilities ... especially for male guests. unlike for females, the male facilities did not include a sauna or steam room (quite surprisingly for an out-in-the-middle-of-nowhere resort that considers itself a spa!) & certain "baths" had highly restricted/reduced hours for men ... whereas women, for some unknown reason, were offered far greater access. i also expected some kind of thermal baths out in nature & adjacent to the hotel (but perhaps this was simply my own misunderstanding?). even taking into consideration that the overwhelming majority of the guests were japanese, we found it mind-boggling that the people working the front desk tended to have zero command of english (& some even had trouble using google translate on their mobile devices). in fact, the only staff people who seemed to speak english were 2 women from eastern europe who worked as waitresses in the dining room & one of them was summoned whenever an issue arose that the person at the front desk was incapable of answering in english

the food was excellent & served with great care ... with each room reserving a time & dining in a separate intimate "space" (in that regard, we eventually requested a "cubicle" with a window -- which necessitated sitting on a cushion -- & enjoyed the view outside). moreover, we had a few special requests -- one guest was vegan, while another despised mushrooms -- & these requests were very meticulously honoured ... with special versions of each dish especially designed for each guest's specific needs. our room -- for 3 -- was quite spacious & comfortable.

Stayed in September 2024

good

Stayed in July 2024

One word: perfect. The atmosphere of the hotel felt really authentic, the food was super good and the staff explained everything. They were also very kind and helpful for any matter. There is the possibility to book a private onsen and the onsen itself is amazing and can only benefits your health. In conclusion, we will definitely come back.

Stayed in June 2024

nothing

The food was top-class and the staff super-helpful and friendly

Stayed in April 2024

Hotel provided a shuttle to snow field at 8am and return at 4pm only, we were the only people using the shuttle but there was no flexibility in the time it departed and returned.

Beautiful hotel with old world feel in lounge library and lobby, lovely lux rooms, great indoor and outside onsens, luxurious ladies bedrock sauna, delicious dining experience in private dining rooms, very pretty in snowy valley with sounds of the river. Hotel provided shuttle from station and to Pilatus Tateshina Ski Resort.

Stayed in February 2024

A bit run down Room a bit small

Great service staff The Japanese breakfast n dinner are great 10 min drive to snow monkey park

Stayed in December 2023

The public onsen and outdoor onsen are not spectacular considering the price paid. Limited amenities provided in the onsen

The room was big. The hotel is located near the river and nature. Service is also quite good.

Stayed in November 2023

Staff service was excellent. Green tea bag in the room also fantastic.

Stayed in October 2023

The staff went above and beyond to ensure you had the best time possible. The facilities are immaculate and the location is so peaceful. Lots of wildfire nearby!

Stayed in May 2023

Not much but would have liked to be able to explore the area. If you don’t have a car then you are staying on the property which I guess is not a bad thing if you going to relax and enjoy the Onsen.

I liked how the attention to detail was considered. How we essentially had one person look after us from check in to meals and we built a relationship where we could ask questions about Japan,Chino and our own country.

Stayed in April 2023

A rare good balance between western comfort & the spiritual balm of traditional ryokans. Set on the edge of a ravine, the secluded location is almost a destination in itself. The meals though not Michelin starred, are of a high standard. A seasoned but generally well & meticulously maintained hotel.

Stayed in February 2023

The only disappointment was that we were already told before our trip that the private onsen was still under renovation and therefore unavailable during our stay. To the hotel's credit, they did give us some cash voucher as a compensation as a good gesture so on balance, this was well communicated and no surprises were caused. Hopefully the renovation is completed now.

Stayed in December 2022