Yamanouchi hotels

Pros: It really was a true Japanese experience. Our private Onsen bath, the amazing meals (really, really amazing) and the charm of the handwritten menu which was a series of drawings - by the chef. The staff were terrific and both welcoming and understanding that we didn’t know all the conventions. We do now. This was a stay we won’t forget.

Cons: It was too warm for the snow monkeys to be bathing!

Pros: The staff was helpful and gracious. The culinary experience was exceptional. The hot springs were exceptional. The facilities were clean. We loved our stay, it was a highlight of our trip.

Cons: Leaving.

Pros: The staff and the premises were just outstanding! I had stayed in this area 2 years ago at a different inn but tried this one via Booking.com because it was easy to make reservations. The staff spoke English and was absolutely the most friendly and genuinely happy to have us there. The even loaned us boots to use for our trek up to see the snow monkeys so our shoes wouldn't be ruined by the mud. The facilities are located all on one floor which is really nice and the food was outstanding. It's located right outside the monkey park and they picked us up with their van from the train station and gave us a ride back the next day as well. They gave each of us a photo of us dressed in the yukatas plus souvenir chopsticks. We were 5 women and we stayed for hours in the open air onsen (bath) while the snow fell around us; just breath taking! I cannot recommend this place enough. This was the best hotel stay on our 10 day trip to Japan.

Cons: Nothing could have made this any better. It was perfect.

Pros: Staffs are very friendly, always keep smiling, intending to help.

Cons: The price is too high compared with facilities.

Pros: Everything

Pros: Location and privacy of this facility. Super attentive staff and impeccable service by the entire team. Excellent transport provided by this Ryokan. Food prepared by the lady owner was top notch!

Cons: Nothing.

Pros: Amazing Onsen, outstanding breakfast and dinner, among the best we’ve ever had at a Ryokan.

Cons: A bit of a rough welcome when my email informing them that we were 2 adults and 2 kids was overlooked and they were upset with me for being 4 people. But they recovered quickly with typical Japanese graciousness and hospitality so the stress soon passed.

Pros: Delicious food and lovely, helpful staff.

Pros: The service was impeccable and the staff was very friendly.

Pros: It's definitely a bit of a ways to reach the location but it was well worth the trip. We stayed for 2 nights and wish we could have stayed longer. It's a great location to visit the monkey park and there are a few things within walking walking distance (we visited the sake museum and a small restaurant for a local beer). We booked the room with the semi outdoor onsen which was lovely to have in the room. We didn't even have time to use the public onsen on the property but i hear it is quite nice as well. The staff was lovely, the food for breakfast & dinner was great, the room was very spacious and clean and its so quiet and peaceful. The futons looked funny to begin with but were so comfortable. I would go back again in a heartbeat and stay longer next time.

Cons: Nothing!

Pros: I liked the traditional Japanese bed. We loved the hot tub. The traditional furnishings created a lovely ambiance. We really appreciated the drives to the Snow Monkeys Hot Springs and to the train.

Cons: Nothing really.

Pros: Everything was perfect, and the owners were sooo friendly, we had so great time, onsen was very good and japanese breakfast as well

Pros: The staff are very friendly and the inn itself is wonderful. The best experience we've had so far in Japan. I highly recommend this place if you want some calmness surrounded by mountains. Oh and you get a private onsen to yourself (doesn't matter which room you book). That was a wonderful surprise.

Cons: Everything was perfect!

Pros: We love the family-run ryokan, it was a little run down but still very clean. We enjoyed two of their three onsens, we were able to use them privately. The outdoor onsen was beautiful with greenery around but extremely very hot, but we managed to get in for a while. The onsens are also tattoo-friendly, which was absolutely note-worthy. The location was great, just 5 mins walking from the station, and in the evening we enjoyed the freshness and stillness of the surroundings. The owner gave us fresh apples on our way checking out.

Cons: Nothing! We only wished we spent more time.

Pros: Staying here was one of the highlights of our 10-day trip to Japan. The private onsens are lovely. The public onsen is great, as well - it's outdoor with a lovely waterfall and good temperature. I would absolutely recommend having dinner during your stay. Breakfast was delicious, as well. Located a 5-minute walk from the Yudanaka station. The owner drove us to the Monkey Park free of charge and kept our bags after checking out.

Cons: Use of the public onsen is limited to 3 hours a day (7:00-10:00 pm when we were there) for women.

Pros: Great character traditional ryokvan where the hospitality is wonderful. Amazing food with traditional Japanese dishes for dinner and breakfast. Thank you for a great stay

Pros: Sorry - it was very ordinary in every regard

Cons: This ryokan was a major disappointment and the worst value / quality we have experienced in our private tour of Japan - totally unlike the upbeat reviews and the attractive website. Everything was mediocre except the price which was extremely high for such mediocre quality. Four star prices for a one star facility

Pros: The old man was very kind to us and drove us up to monkey mountain himself.

Cons: Learn your Japanese before going here :]

Pros: The location was super close to the station. Easy stroll down the tiny village. Very quite and clean Ryokan.

Cons: We arrived at 3pm and did not receive a proper orientation for the onsen. We didn't know where to go in the morning for our breakfast, or where each of the onsen were.

Pros: The breakfast was nice and homely, the staff was very welcoming.

Pros: Food was nice. The location was also good.

Pros: Very friendly staff Great location for snow monkeys Has gift store where you can purchase wine etc Has private onsen Has snow boots for free hire 5 star hotel and experience

Cons: If you are not used to ryokan and sleeping in Japanese style room (ie floor mat) it is not very comfortable

Pros: The service and dinners were the best!

Pros: Lovely facility. Spotlessly clean. Fantastic staff. Very close to the snow monkey park.

Cons: Really, everything was perfect. I am not comfortable on a futon but otherwise it was great.

Pros: Everything was great.

Pros: The staff is extremely friendly, and almost everyone can speak a bit of English, which makes everything much more relaxed, mainly because upon arrival you will plan your stay together with them in regards of dinner and breakfast time, as well as, the reservation of the private bath.

Cons: I have nothing negative to say about this hotel.

Pros: The staff at the restaurant were excellent and the all staff in general were fantastic If you are going to see the Snow Monkey park,then there is no better location

Cons: Booking.com said that we allowed for a room that suits 4 people.But the hotel only had 2 adults on the reservation so we ended up having to pay for an extra Futon and kids meals

Pros: We had a wonderful stay at Kanbayashi Hotel Senjukaku!! Definitely it was the perfect choice to celebrate our honeymoon! The hotel provides not only luxurious, but at the same time very cozy expirience. We’ve received a very personalize service, we also were given the Japanese yukatas to go everywhere in the hotel, which made our stay even more authentic. The staff of the Kanbayashi Hotel Senjukaku was very welcoming and incredibly attentive, we couldn’t desire more! Moreover, the room they offered for our honeymoon was terrific!! It was enormous and had 2 private onsens and fascinating view. Thank you very much for that unforgettable experience, we will always remember it!!! And we hope we can come back soon!

Pros: Elegant surroundings. Exceptionally helpful and pleasant staff. Beautiful facilities. Gourmet Japanese Breakfasts and Dinners. Spacious and quiet rooms with peaceful outlook over magnificent gardens. Outstanding artworks which changed with the change of season. Onsen facility which had both an enormous inside facility which then connected to an outside rock pool onsen. Closest Ryokan to Snow Monkey Park. Exceptional waiter named Mr. Maruyama. Every staff member was gracious and attentive. Recommend the Monkey Park and Shibu Onsen (short bus ride) The most spacious well-appointed and authentic Ryokan we have stayed at in Japan.

Cons: Everything was perfect.

Pros: Staff was absolutely perfect ! Trying to please the customers was their clear goal. Fantastic service !

Pros: Excellent service with kind assistance for all our request.

Pros: Staff are nice and the hotel&room facility is great

Cons: A bit difficult to find a restaurant especially breskfast

Pros: Excellent location. Snowed during our stay which made the onsens even more enjoyable. Great food. Very warm hospitality.

Pros: Great ryokan style hotel in very good position for Onsen and Snow Monkey Park. Perfect service and super kind staff. Hope to come back!

Pros: good shuttle bus service Clean room Onsen is available 24 hours

Pros: The staff were amazing, the food was excellent, and the outdoor rooftop onsen was spectacular! Very close to all the baths in the town, and the staff were okay with my using the baths with tattoos. Very accommodating - a wonderful stay.

Pros: Outside onsen was really nice!

Pros: Wonderful breakfast Perfect location for the public baths

Cons: Everything was great.

Pros: Wonderful food, service and location.

Pros: The Front as well as Meal Staff were very gracious, friendly and helpful. Picked us up from the train station as well as drove us to the Monkey park (we only asked for one way, as we wanted to walk back). The meals were fantastic and we enjoyed the onsen on the top floor. We also walked around and visited the public onsens which one can do as a ryokan guest. We enjoyed roaming around Shibu Onsen.

Cons: NA

Pros: We loved everything about this place. It was very clean and comfortable. The onsens were lovely - indoor and outdoor. We had the breakfast and it was delicious. We also really enjoyed going to the 9 public baths around Shibu Onsen (you can get a key from the hotel). There also was a shuttle that took us to the bus station. Excellent stay!

Pros: The staff were so helpful and dropped us at the snow monkeys and train station and even helped getting our luggage up to the 4th floor!

Pros: The staff is so nice and carring Warm welcome Lovely breakfast Great location Veey good information about dinner and the monkey park

Cons: The facility is a bit old... No elevator for big suitcases And in our room no shawor Toilat across the hall

Pros: Location is amazing and the service is impeccable, friendly and warm.

Cons: Nothing really

Pros: Wonderful hosts - so friendly and accommodating . They drove us to the snow monkeys and drove us to the station and to lunch - lovely breakfast in homely atmosphere

Cons: Ladies Onsen a little bit cool Men’s hot spring too hot

Pros: Warm comfortable large room with a nice view to the mountains. Mr Yumoto is a great host. He accommodated our early arrival allowing us to check in early. He kindly drove us to the Monkey Park and offered to pick us up. We took the option of a nice walk back to our accommodation with a detailed map and directions given to us by Mr Yumoto. We were also given the option of using the onsen as a couple which was a great experience. Mr Yumoto has wealth of tourist information about the surrounding area and towns nearby.

Cons: Nothing really except no lift.

Pros: This property is very centrally located in the little town. We found it so sweet that Mr Yamuto personally drove us to the Monkey Park. He then gave us a phone number and we were able to use the gift shop phone to ask him to come pick us up! Monkey Park is a must see :) His wife made us a delicious Japanese style breakfast one morning for a very reasonable price. They offered us helpful hints about how to enjoy the area. Also, bonus! They have a little outdoor bath that sits atop a big hilltop, with beautiful mountain views. It's a 3 minute walk from the hotel accommodation. We were able to rent it privately for 45 minutes. It was absolutely fabulous!

Pros: The rooms were lovely & a good size. The futons were very comfortable with good sheets & dunas. The onsen was good & hot & available 24/7. There is also an outdoor onsen which we didn't discover due to our poor understanding as it was explained to us in pretty good English. We were able to use the washing machine & powder at no charge. The owners were delightful & very helpful & drove us up to the snow monkey park which was fabulous!! It is a very beautiful area & well worth a visit. I would stay again.

Cons: The hotel was old & a bit tired but the rooms were lovely & comfortable & very clean, as was the lavatory on our floor.

Pros: Nice and good sized room with onsen in hotel. Lovely rooms and lovely innkeeper who immediately offered to drive us to the monkey park the moment he heard that we wanted to go before it closes and time was tight. Good and sumptuous Japanese breakfast at good value. Wish we could spend more time there. We were lucky to catch the summer festival as well. Loved the entertainment and fruits we bought there.

Pros: Staff was super helpfull in assisting with transport to the snow monkey park and the station. Japanese breakfast was also very good. Thank you very much!

Pros: A lovely Ryokan run by a lovely helpful family. Large comfortable rooms . We were also driven to the Monkey Park and taken to the station free of charge. The breakfasts were plentiful and delicious. I left my phone in the room when leaving for the train. The owner retrieved it for me when I rang him and he delivered it down to the railway station to give to me. Wonderful kind man.

Pros: The staff were lovely, they did everything to look after us and they were all really nice. The baths were lovely and the view from the room was beautiful

Cons: Nothing, our stay there was perfect, the only thing we didn't like was the walk back up the hill from the station

Pros: Our room was beautiful, traditional and overlooked a pond with koi carp. The hotel was relaxed and quirky, a highlight of our trip. We were driven to the monkey park and station - they were very organised in every way. Great value for money.

Cons: All good

Pros: Very nice owners and management. The team offered to store and take my luggage to my departure point, I am very grateful to them. They really take care of their guest

Cons: The clothes baskets in the ofuro was a little dusty.

Pros: Lovely couple and a hospitable stay at a traditional hotel. Everything was wonderful and I recommend highly. The owners went out of their way to make our stay comfortable and memorable.

Pros: Lovely people, great food, fantastic onsen

Pros: Great breakfast, hot onsens, super comfy bed and kind owners looking to help you with whatever you need.

Cons: Property a little tired but the positives made up for this.

Pros: Loved the traditional feel of it! Our room had big windows fronting the garden which made everything feel very zen. Also loved that we had to chance to book a room with tatami area, but also with two proper beds. This way there is no sacrifice whatsoever, and we still got the full tatami experience. Also lovely people catering to all our needs, and giving us a ride to the Monkey Park in the morning.

Cons: Maybe we were unlucky, but the hotel was empty when we were staying there. And it's quite a big building so it felt a bit deserted. Or we were lucky and got full attention of the staff. It just depends how you see it ;)

Pros: Really nice and spacious room. The staff was very helpful and friendly.

Pros: The family who run the ryokan were wonderful. They were very helpful, friendly and accommodating. The mother was a wonderful cook and we had a fantastic breakfast on both mornings, the father dropped us up to the snow monkeys entrance and without us knowing organised for his friend who worked there to let him know when we returned so he could drive us back. Their adult daughter takes care of meeting you on arrival and answering your queries. We stayed in traditional rooms which were very spacious, comfortable and clean. The accommodation is a 10 - 15 minute walk from the station but they will drop you back to the staion.

Cons: The only problem for me was I am bigger in size so my hip and shoulder were touching the floor through the traditional mattress. However they had additional ones in the cupboards which solved that problem

Pros: Run by a family, very sweet people, will do everything for you. Basic but great place to stay, Japanese style room, comfortabel. A bit out dated but clean and everything is there

Pros: Amazing hospitality, outdoor private onsen brilliant. Highly recommend breakfast - great experience

Pros: The staff here is fantastic - very attentive and sweet, and made our stay feel extra special. We also enjoyed a dinner there one night and it was delicious.

Pros: We had a room with a private onsen bath on the balcony. Breakfast quality was very good. The staff was excellent and accommodating. When they found out that I needed my luggage moved to another location, they took care of that for us .

Cons: It was a little far from the center of town.

Pros: Our stay was perfect and the service level of the staff was awesome. Even the owner of the onsen greeted us personally while we were having our dinner. Dinner spread was good too. We will definitely be back.

Cons: Nothing to dislike but just feel that dinner portion may be a bit small for people with bigger appetite.

Pros: Everyone super friendly very professional staff. Found that many of them spoke English some more than others. We manage to communicate. We were lucky to meet the owner of Aburaya Tousen. She welcomed us and made sure everything was ok. A pleasure to stay and definitely we’ll be back!

Pros: very tradtional Japanesse breakfast at better than standard. not sufficient staffs to provid good service. other than this, everything is excellent.

Cons: none

Pros: We stayed here before and fell in love with the hotel from the beginning: The people here are just great, the onsen on the 7th floor very nice, breakfast delicious and overall it is a very very nice Japanese atmosphere here. We definitely would like to come back again

Pros: Great location. Close to the snow monkey park. You can easily walk to many restaurants and the train station. Lovely onsen, but it is very hot. We stayed in a room with the mats on the floor and it was very comfortable. The room was very large. The bathroom had two sinks and was quite large as well. We also enjoyed the multi-course dinner at the restaurant. It was a wonderful experience and the food was very good. Very nice welcome drink and they had happy hour drinks in the afternoon. Staff was very nice and helpful. It is a great place to stay for two nights while exploring the snow monkey park.

Cons: Nothing.

Pros: I loved everything. It was well worth it. Anyone who is into staying at a five star spot will love this place!.

Pros: The room with the Onsen tub on the balcony was amazing.

Pros: Staff Services Onsen Position Room

Pros: The dinner and breakfast we had there were a highlight of our trip. I also enjoyed the in house Onsen. The staff were so lovely and helpful and the location was fabulous.

Pros: - The dinner and breakfast are excellent. - The staff is friendly and polite (most Japanese are polite people), can speak English is a plus. - My wife like the press dry flower decorate the whole facility. - Shuttle bus from and to yudanaka station

Cons: - Private bath is great but need to pay extra (2200 yen). - Limited number of bath, 2public and 1 private, compare to Kanaguya Ryokan, they have 3 public and 5 private, all free no extra charge.

Cons: The Staff's english skill is lacking.

Pros: Great place, great people always trying to help. Hotel provides shuttles to Monkey park and train station. Japanese style room was comfortable. There are private and also public onsens available. Japanese breakfast and dinner.

Cons: toilet is crazy small

Pros: Friendly staffs Clean throughout Great food experience Lovely location

Cons: Nothing

Pros: Very friendly staff and excellent Onsen

Pros: Amazing experience of Japanese culture. The location is perfect for the Monkey Park and the Bath houses and local culture. The staff are exceptional, as is the food.

Cons: Nothing

Pros: The half board meal was superb. The onsens were both very nice and complety empty when I was there.

Cons: Nothing, this ryokan met all my expectations.

Pros: The place was incredibly accommodating from the moment we arrived at Yudanaka Station. I really have no complaints. The staff were super friendly and the public baths were gorgeous - Much better than the neighbouring Shibu Onsen which all share 9 onsens which are like small boxes compared to the expansive ones that we had.

Cons: NOTHING

Pros: Friendly staff, close to yudanaka station, onsen

Cons: food was normal

Pros: Overall the hotel met our expectations. the rooms were spacious and the food (breakfast) excellent and varied. the onsen was well appointed. Staff were very helpful, we would stay again.

Cons: Yudanaka is a very quiet town with few facilities and a relatively poor choice of restaurants, though we did enjoy some very well priced and tasty food. Outside the ski season it has little appeal except as a base to see the snow monkeys. Unless you are a big Onsen fan two nights would be ample in the place.

Pros: We got a lovely Japanese style room that was hugely spacious - could have accommodation 4 people if needed and had a view of the mountains. Staff were very welcoming and made sure we were well looked after. Facilities were clean. The included breakfast set is amazing - we had the Japanese kaiseki style which came with about 10 assorted dishes! You can book a private session on the hotel's rooftop onsen for 2150yen which is well worth it. Located only 2-3 minutes walk from the train station. Tip: you can rent electric bikes from the public onsen located behind the train station for a quick day trip down the road to Shibu onsen (must be returned by 4pm)

Pros: It was super traditional. You got to try the private bath during the night!!! The moon was shining. It was great!!!!

Pros: - Staffs were very friendly and fully support. - Room was big and enough amenities. Room was very clean. - Breakfast was great for both delicious food and full service. - Onsen was also great. - The hotel was not far from train station.

Cons: Nothing

Pros: Good location short walk to the Yamanuka station. Clean room although the air in the room was not great.

Cons: The Onsen/ spa area was not well maintained. The property requires maintenance/refurb in general. We have stayed in better properties across Japan for less money and breakfast was included. No value for money.

Pros: We used the private onsen, which were superb! Staff were lovely and very accommodating. The breakfast was amazing!!!

Cons: Nothing

Pros: We really enjoyed the traditional Ryokan experience. The room was quite large and spacious. Staff were helpful and attentive. Was great wearing tradition Japanese clothing and having a traditional breakfast as well.

Cons: The location whilst close to the train station was very quiet. There is not a lot to do in the town and we found many restaurants our hotel told us about were not open.

Pros: The staff were wonderful & very helpful. The room was very spacious with mountain view. The rooftop baths was incredible. Breakfast was great value for money with the option of Japanese or Western style.

Cons: The WiFi did not work up on our floor (4) at all. Even when connected in the lobby it was almost unusable.

Pros: Mountain View from the room and from the lovely rooftop Onsen. Karaoke room was fun and private dinner/breakfast rooms were perfect for us and our small children. Loved lounging around in yukatas in the large room. Very handy being close to train station.

Pros: Authentic, historic hotel in the middle of Shibu onsen. Beautiful interior, fantastic dinner and breakfast. The owners were very helpful and friendly. The property has also a very nice own onsen. I would definitely recommend this hotel.

Cons: It was my first time to sleep on a futon mattress and I honestly did not find it comfortable

Pros: Excellent location in the middle of town and you get free access to the hot public baths. The hotel also has it's own, which is very nice. The hotel is very traditional but in need of some TLC.

Cons: The meal wasn't great and was only served at 6pm which was very early for us. Breakfast seemed to be the same food. All served at once and a little rushed. Only a shared bathroom, but what we didn't know is that there was no showers, just a sink in the corridor. You could go to the basement and shower in the hot baths, but not ideal.

Pros: The owner was really nice, and had no issues bringing us to the monkey park, and bringing us to the station. A lovely ryokan! For a fair price!!

Cons: The tub was insane hot ;). The public bath on the other side of the ryokan is nicely warm.

Pros: The stay at Senshinkan Matsuya was really an outstanding experience for us! It was the first time we stayed in a Ryokan and everything we experienced there exceeded our expectations. The owner came to pick us up at the train station which was really nice. He also brought us to the Snow Monkey Park on the next day and arranged for our luggage to be waiting at the train station when we returned from the park. Thanks to the master key we were able to bathe in every one of the 9 Onsen in town and got to get all stamps on our souvenir towel. The dinner and breakfast that were served were also really delicious and the owners explained each dish to us and how to eat it. We really recommend everyone to stay one night in Shibu Onsen especially at Senshinkan Matsuya! We will never forget that experience!

Cons: We liked simply everything!

Pros: This traditional Ryonkan was very good. The family that runs it is very helpful and friendly. The food was really terrific with local products and cooking. I have enjoyed at Senshinkan Matsuya and can highly recommend it.

Pros: The owner of the Ryokan is superb nice and helpful, we were supposed to have dinner at the property but it was my mistake that I didn't check mails to re-confirm the booking and ended they didn't prepared the meal which we were looking forward to. And the 2nd day we were staying at another Ryokan which we didn't booked any meal in advance, this owner is so helpful and selfless to help us to arrange our dinner with our 2nd Ryokan owner. And it makes us Happy again! Yes, you should have their breakfast if you didn't book any dinner. Simply delicious!

Pros: Free onsen in the property until midnight.

Pros: The meals provided were amazing and the person running the hotel was really hospitable. He told me about the area and about a festival going on in the area. The hot spring bath was great and the room was perfect.

Pros: The staff were very friendly & helpful. Breakfast was amazing! The onsen was so relaxing.

Pros: Everything else, especially the food.....it was gourmet dining at its best.

Cons: Parking is not on or near the premises. There is parking across the road which I assumed was theirs, so having arrived a little early I parked there and went for a walk. Upon my return I was pounced on by a man who demanded that I move the car, immediately. He was extremely aggressive ...something you don't expect in Japan. We should know when we're booking that you drive to the door, unload and then hand your keys to someone to park your car somewhere else. It might have been OK if this was stated on your website but I didn't enjoy being surprised with it.

Pros: On a positive note : the room was warm , there was a good heater and the staff were very nice. They picked us up at the station and drove us for free to the moneys park.

Cons: I had an AWFUL experience at this Ryokan. It was so dirty you couldn't even walk barefoot on the floor, the room hadn't been cleaned for weeks or maybe months. Full of cockroaches inside the room (even on the bed) , dusty as hell , the forniture was so old and outdated. The bathroom was undescribable, the water that came out was rusty. I would never stay at this place again and it was also very expensive for the service we received. It was a waste of money.

Pros: Family run rustic and rural Ryokan. I was there for just one night. Run by an elderly couple who do not speak English and their middle aged son who does. I was picked up from the nearby train station by the son when I arrived. That evening there was a local festival 5 minutes walk from the Ryokan with music and food. I was made to feel very welcome. The next morning I was presented with the most beautifully laid out breakfast meal. I had contacted the Ryokan to let them know I was vegan and everything was. I was then driven to the entrance of the snow monkey park by the son and he then picked me up two hours later with my suitcase and rucksack in the back of the car to drop me off at the train station. A truly magical 24 hours and the family treated me very well.

Cons: There was a slightly shabby but very clean shared toilet and hot spring bath at the Ryokan and a wash basin in my room - I had no problem with this but some travellers may.

Pros: Spacious and very authentic Japanese house run by a hospitable family. They met us at the train station and gave us a lift to the Snow Monkeys park and back! The room was bright and spacious with a nice sitting area on the balcony and tea making facilities! And the breakfast was just amazing, both in its taste and mode of presentation!

Cons: It was very cold in the shared WC room.

Pros: Payed for a 4 bed mixed dormitory and got the whole room for myself. The guy picked me up at the station without me asking even though it was 1 hour and a half after check-in closing time. The next day he also drove and picked me up from the snow monkey park. Hot spring bath was also amazing, but maybe a bit TOO hot. Great hospitality, 100% would recommend.

Pros: The stay at Maruka Ryokan has been very enjoyable. The facilities may need overall renovation but the room facing the garden was beautiful and the breakfast very good. The owner picked us up from the train station and drove us to the Snow Monkey Park for free and picking us up again. We remain with good memories,

Pros: Stayed overnight, Maruka Ryokan picked us up from the station and drove us to the snow monkey park and collected us too. Great hosts. Our evening meal was delicious.

Cons: Breakfast was disappointing, a lot of pickled food.

Pros: The owners are a very kind and friendly family. The room was large and comfortable. There are several very good restaurants within five minutes walk. A fridge in the room was helpful.

Cons: The fixtures and furniture in the rooms is old and faded.

Pros: Guests were superkind Dinner was delicious 100% Traditional Japan The gallery, which was inside the room, was beautiful We would come back again

Pros: A wonderful old ryokan with lots of character, furnished with some antiques, next to a Buddhist Temple. The rooms are large with big windows opening up to a garden. I had a lovely, peaceful sitting area overlooking the garden and hot water for tea. The furnishings were delightful. I loved just sitting and relaxing in my room. All bathroom facilities (sinks, toilets, bath) are separate, but the sinks and toilet were not far away. My hosts were considerate and drove me to the Monkey Park, which I greatly appreciated, as well as giving me a lift to the station with my luggage.

Cons: Wifi was only available near the entrance, but there was a nice sitting room for people to use there. The ryokan is up a hill from the station, so keep that in mind if arriving with much luggage. I was there during the off season, so that may account for it, but I didn't find many restaurants open in the vicinity.

Pros: My room and staffs.

Cons: None

Pros: The host was terrific! He welcomed us to Yamanouchi and provided additional information and guidance whenever we needed it. The rooms were clean and cozy with traditional tatami mats and hot water for tea/coffee each day. I loved waking up there!

Pros: Very good host. They drove us to the park and gave us good advice for public transport

Pros: Friendly host! He makes us feel like being at home. The ryokan is at a central place, and close to the trainstation. We made a nice walk back from the snowmonkey park trough the onsen village back to the ryokan.

Pros: Very friendly owner, drive us to the monkey park, tell us interesting things Also there is a hot tube in ryokan, which you can use when you want

Cons: It would be great if in toilet special cleanser for lavatory seat will be installed

Pros: The bath was great, so was the hospitality of the owner of the Ryokan.

Cons: The beds were not clean.

Pros: Not flashy but comfortable accommodation with great onsen. Wonderful hosts who go the extra mile for their guests.

Pros: The hospitality was amazing. The staff were very friendly and helping.

Cons: Nothing

Pros: The owner is very kind to send us to the snow market park and train station. He cooks such a delicious Japanese food for breakfast & dinner. We enjoyed our stay very much.

Cons: Nothing

Pros: Very friendly owner, good location.

Cons: Though the ryokan has its spirit, it's well worn and in need for renovation.

Pros: The ryokan was a cool little inn with its own archery range in the back. The owner was super cool and let us sit in on a kyudo(Japanese archery) practice session. Hot spring bath was super relaxing. The owner also drove us to the snow monkey park in the morning and let us drop of our luggage before heading out.

Cons: The lighting in the building was a little dim but it wasn't much of an issue.

Pros: Great staff, food, location

Cons: None

Pros: A very comfortable experience. Staff friendly and helpful. Lounge and dining facilities very good. Room was spacious. Onsen clean and hot. Ski room good. Close to local sji lifts.

Cons: We would have liked an English channel on TV but not really importanr

Pros: Lovely Japanese hotel. Fireplace was great to sit around. Great location for skiing all over Shiga. Hotel staff were great and accommodating for our large family. Good ski equipment rental and storage. Quick walk to nearest ski lift (150m) and some days could ski back to door.

Cons: Rooms a little dated. Would have loved a double bed option for some of our rooms. More dinner options would be great as Shiga does not have lots of dinner options outside of hotel.

Pros: Having breakfast included was very handy. Can tune up skis and snowboard on site. 3 mins to ski chairs. Staff were all super nice!

Cons: Would look for dinner inclusion in booking next time as not many options around takamagahara area. Wifi patchy outside of reception floor, but just opportunity to make use of their massage chairs :)

Pros: Right next to the ski lift, this is a good location for your skiing adventure. The staff is very nice. The dinner traditional and tasty. There's an onsen to help you warm your cold limbs after a day out in the snow. Also make sure to spend some time at the cosy fireplace. Can easily be reached by bus from Nagano.

Cons: The interior is starting to show its age.

Pros: location, warmth and atmosphere

Pros: Great location, friendly staff, food was awesome. Would highly recommend it.

Cons: Little bit old.

Pros: Great location

Cons: Poor food and facilities

Pros: -Location was good and staff was friendly -Hot springs spa is as advertised, nothing fancy but enough -Breakfast (1000Y) was quite good and a steal for the price

Cons: -Only had ski/snowboard rental, but no clothes rental unlike most others at Shiga Kogen -Wifi was free but only present in the main lobby, and maybe if your lucky enough on the 2nd floor -No personal shower in the room, so your only shower option was in the spa -Dinner was quite expensive (Cheapest option 3000Y) and not that great, I would recommend bringing your own basic dinner since there are not many other options

Pros: It was a genuine Ryokan rxperience.. the outside onsen is amazing.. especially at night when all is quiet and u have it to yourself. The walls whispered of history... and the enchanting laneways that the onsen Ryokan is located in transports you back in time... the manager was super friendly and even gave us oragami gifts on check out... FYI... the Ryokan also has oragami workshops...

Cons: Wash taps in indoor onsen are push style and only run for half minute before they cease... a little inconvenient in the cold of winter!

Pros: Loved this place!! Really nice and big room. Three onsens within the property. The outside onsen can be changed between female, male and private

Pros: This is the second time I have visited Onyado Hishiya Torazo. It was so great I had to come back a second time. This is a traditional ryokan experience with the family running the establishment for generations. Once you step in the door you feel like you are going back in time. The rooms are clean and comfortable with futons and heaters for the winter months. Breakfast and dinner are epic and delicious. You are definitely leaving feeling full with a happy belly. The mother of the establishment is 85 and still serves some meals and does so with smile, graciously explaining the various dishes. The onsens available in the ryokan are clean and relaxing. The outdoor baths which can be reserved for private bathing are next level amazing. A must stay if you are wanting to relax in the Shibu Onsen area or take a day trip to visit the snow monkeys (only an hour by foot away or a short bus ride).

Cons: I wish there was hand soap in our own bathroom and conditioner to wash my hair in the onsens as there was only body soap and shampoo provided.

Pros: Private onsen

Cons: No hot water after certain times

Pros: The only thing I can say was positive was the private Onsen. But there was nowhere to shower before or after. The only showers in the whole buildings were in the men/women onsen and they were cold!!

Cons: We didnt like pretty much everything No host when we arrived. having to track one that wasn't very helpful and forgot us soon after. No one to talk to when we had issues with the place, no one to show us where the facilities are. Not friendly. Only the next day we realized there were no showers!! It is an onsen, but it's sulphur type of town, so it smelled, and I would have liked showering at some point of my stay. the only shower heads were inside the men/women onsen and it was cold water!!! I think a shower should be a basic facility, and if not there to be clearly stated. If he hires some professional staff and update the facilities, he would have a nice place. The basics are there. but he needs to take some drastic changes

Pros: The private outdoor onsen after 10pm was great for our family. The food was some of the best in our 16 day trip around Japan!

Cons: They only take cash and do not speak any English. However, they turned my dislikes into likes by going out of there way to find someone to let them use a square card reader

Pros: The traditional Japanese style was quaint and comfortable. The futons were sufficient. The tea tasty. The hosts very accommodating and friendly. The bathrooms and onsens were so beautiful and private!

Cons: The temperature of the room was hard to manage and was cold for the majority of the stay. We had the heaters running, but it ran out of fuel.

Pros: The beds were very comfortable. The ambiance of the rooms was excellent. The baths were some of the best we have used. The rooms were very clean.

Cons: We had a lot of trouble contacting anyone to check in & out as the reception was unattended. The lady we did see at checkin however was very helpful but that was the only time we saw any staff. They were kind enough to look after our suitcases overnight.

Pros: Great location in the middle of Shibu Onsen. Free access to all public baths in the area. Beautiful outdoor mixed onsen available for private use.

Cons: Host speaks minimal English. Be prepared to use google translate. No hot water from the showers. Only got water from the natural bath water. Minimal heating within Ryokan

Pros: Everything was incredible about this property. The onsen were way better than anything else in town. We loved it so much we stayed an extra three days. We would love to come back someday.

Cons: Nothing to dislike about this property

Pros: roomy accomodation

Cons: Lost our breakfast tickets

Pros: The hotel staff were friendly and patient with our limited Japanese. The room was clean and had a nice view. The baths were great, and hiring a private onsen (no cost) was fantastic. Such a nice hotel at a great price.

Pros: Location is walking distance to train staion. Room is spacious and futons are warm and comfortable. Private and public onsen is great especially after long walks. Massage chair is a plus. Staff are friendly and helpful.

Cons: Nothing

Pros: Without a doubt one of my favorite hotels I stayed in Japan. Upon arrival, we were warmly welcomed by a charming member of staff - a really lovely lady. Very helpful and always smiling, providing an excellent service. Super, super nice! She made our stay a very memorable experience. The hotel is a traditional style Ryokan with two private outdoor onsens and one public indoor onsen that are free of charge for the guests. There are massage chairs on the ground floor and 3rd floor - free of charge. The hotel is within 3-minute walking distance from the Yudanaka Station, which is a huge bonus. The Snow Monkey Park is a couple of hours walk from the hotel. The WiFi worked well - it could be a little bit faster. The all you can eat and drink dinner was a good experience - the food was really tasty and fresh (3,500 Yen per person).

Cons: The hotel isn't really a ski to door resort. However, there is a free shuttle bus to Ryuoo Ski resort departing from Yudanaka Station multiple times a day as well as several bus services to Shiga Kogen area so it's not really a big deal. The property is a little bit tired, but in my opinion, it adds to its charm. However, for more demanding travelers, it might be an issue. So if you are used to flashy, glamorous hotels maybe it's not the best place for you.

Pros: Amazing stay. Fabulous dinner. The private open air onsen was a wonderful experience. Highly recommended.

Pros: Location. Close to trains. And buses

Cons: Run down Needs total refurbishment The staff were excellent

Pros: Very convenient to see the snow monkeys from here. Should have stayed a few more nights to take advantage of the open air bath and massage chairs. Awesome collection of manga available to read (in Japanese).

Cons: Breakfast items weren't described in English.

Pros: Onsen was good. Japanese bed were comfortable.

Cons: Poor western breakfast. Could have more non japanese food.

Pros: Breakfast & evening meal was excellent. Staff were extremely helpful despite language barrier. Private onsen was brilliant. Location of hotel only 5 mins walk from rail/bus station.

Cons: Room was 'tired' & in need of refurbishment, also bathroom requires updating.

Pros: Food was excellent!! Staff was wonderful. Onsen was heavenly. Location close to train station!!

Cons: I wished they would have laid out our bedding after dinner. Didnt know we had to do it all ourselves. First Ryokan that made the customer put out and put away the bedding. Very awkward. Additionally. Was disappounted that they did not serve green tea at dinner nor breakfast. Made me wonder if i was really in Japan.

Pros: Very friendly and helpful staff, nice property and gives a very relax feeling.

Pros: We got a private onsen and it was very nice

Pros: Large rooms and friendliness of the staff. Breakfast and dinner were very good.

Pros: The host was so friendly that she even gave us a lift to Jigokudani Monkey Park in the morning.

Pros: Shino, the owner is an incredible host. Really cares that you have a nice stay.

Pros: Walkable to the train station

Cons: I stayed in the annex. This really had nothing to do with any concept of a ryokan (no mats, no sleeping on floor, no sliding paper doors, nothing). The carpets were very dirty. Two small twin beds in the room had cheap mattresses. There was no decor, just old cheap walls from a cheap building built in the 70s. Grout between tiles in bathroom was black. Faucet and shower also dated to 70s. Just a bad place.

Pros: Very comfortable, lovely host and friendly staff, comfortable beds, great value for money, fresh towels and a made bed every day, the owner even offered to drive me to the train station, I thanked him but decided to walk, he and the front counter staff came out to wave goodbye and see me off. Just really lovely people. Thank you again

Cons: The hot water in the rooms was a bit tepid, but there's an onsen that's nice and hot so no real problem.

Pros: The country lifestyle, the friendly set up for family

Cons: Could be more English speaking

Pros: The staff were very helpful. There is a big kitchen equipped with full facilities for us to cook supper and breakfast. Besides the recreational room has table tennis, table soccer and other games to keep us busy.

Cons: There is no lift and our rooms were at the top floor. For elderly this hotel is not recommended as they will need to climb staircases.

Pros: The staff were very helpful, and the onsen was terrific. I enjoyed the large, traditional Japanese breakfast, free coffee downstairs, and ping pong in the ground-floor reception area.

Cons: Nothing, I loved it and would happily return.

Pros: Good facilities including table tennis and hot bath, but would have liked an en-suite in the room.

Cons: Had to use shared toilet and shower.

Pros: This is a truly great accomodation. The room is very spacious, it has three separate spaces, bathroom and toilet are private and very spacious and clean. The best for us were the traditional beds. The mattresses are very comfortable and the blankets are thick and light like clouds. The traditional breakfast was excellent, as well as the facilities (e.g. kitchen where you can cook your own meals if you wish, laundry, private onsen and free coffee machine). We would like to highlight the remarkable service of the staff. They are amazing people, always looking forward to making you feel welcome and comfortable. They made a great difference in our stay. The building seems old but it is well-preserved. The common areas are full of light and with their own character. We stayed here three nights and, honestly, we didn't want to leave. This place is highly recommended!

Cons: X

Pros: The chef, Hidei, is also your shuttle driver. The ONLY thing better than his English is his cooking. Make a reservation but leave your belt in the room. Lots of delicious traditional cooking.

Cons: The hotel is old and it shows.

Pros: Size of the room is excellent!!

Cons: Filthy shared bathroom, especially for Japanese standards. Hotel needs to be updated, not the rooms, but the shared facilities.

Pros: Spacious rooms. Very clean with many additional included ammenties. Could have easily slept 4 comfortably. Staff was extremely pleasant & helpful. Quiet & comfortable. Public onsen was separated for men & women. Yakatas were provided

Cons: Private onsen was not available. My partner was not allowed into the onsen due to having several tattoos

Pros: Breakfast was great. Coffee for free. All staff very friendly..

Cons: All was well

Pros: a very pleasant stay. The breakfast was fabulous

Cons: Unfortunately the Ryokan could not accommodate people who did not pre-book for dinner.

Cons: It was expensive for the night and we were unable to eat the food even though it was beautifully presented - it was way too adventurous for us even and we couldn’t even attempt breakfast. If a western option had been offered (we did ask but it was only if you stayed two nights) it would have been very enjoyable.

Pros: Onsen was great, especially after a long day walking. There's a shuttle service to go to the train station and the monkey park.

Cons: We booked the Japanese style room and sleeping on the floor wasn't very confortable. It's fine for one night but I wouldn't recommend if you have back pain.

Pros: We were welcomed by friendly staff who showed us to our room and explained everything.the facility was great to experience the traditional Japanese culture

Pros: Staff were amazing, nothing was too much trouble for them. Food is amazing kaiseki dinners. Lovely onsens and the private rooftop onsen is beautiful, book it at least once. Stayed here to ski the shiga ski resorts. It’s a little far, approximately 40-45 mins on the bus. But I knew this before booking. Don’t let this put you off if you’re planning a ski trip as there is so much more to do and see in yudanaka than up in the resorts. Special thanks to Irish and Craig for making our stay a great one.

Cons: Nothing

Pros: We had a wonderful stay in this ryokan. The service was attentive, the room was comfortable and the dinner was yummy. The ryokan provides a shuttle service to and from Yudanaka station, as well as, to and from the entrance of the snow monkey park. Excellent!

Pros: Staff beautiful, so polite and friendly. Couldn’t do enough to ensure you were comfortable and happy. Staff member Irish Jade was exceptionally helpful, what a lovely lady, thank you.

Cons: Place perfect

Pros: Nice large facilities but was never busy so onsens weren’t crowded. Great view sleeping to the sounds of the river. Traditional breakfast and dinners were abundant and tasty. Futons and blankets were great.

Cons: Some furnishings in lobby and room showed age.

Pros: The staff were polite, helpful and friendly. The food included in with our stay was amazing, with many courses that showcase a small slice of traditional Japanese culture. Sometimes it is best to not have a choice when it comes to food. The location was also great, with plenty of food options within walking options if you choose not to go with the half-board option.

Pros: - Ski-in Ski-out facility - Relatively small hotel but it's good because it's just a few step from your room to the snow - Many vending machine - Convenient store isn't so expensive - Ski locker & rental equipment is in great condition - Kid's park is in WEST wing and it's pretty good with snow bike & snow escalator equipped ! - open-air public bath, we love it

Cons: - Smallest room when compared to other ski resort we've been to - Expensive food - if you are here by bus, you have to walk up the snow slope and it's quite hard - very small indoor kids' playground

Pros: Easy access to the ski resorts

Cons: Dining and food options are limited

Pros: Buffet is great. I liked the food.

Cons: More communal space in the hotel

Pros: The location is good, just next to the express bus stop. The hotel has easy access to ski area, that was cool and convenient. Receptionists were nice and helpful, even they didn’t speak english well. Appreciated their assistances

Cons: The hotel property is quite old, the room I stayed, some wallpapers are shed, the heater didn’t work well. There’re only 2 restaurants nearby, 1 in the building, 1 next to the lift ticket counter. Food options were limited and not good, i had to ski to other ski resorts for food at daytime, and shopped for my dinner back.

Pros: Location. Ski in ski out, central to great ski areas, discount spring skiing lift passes at yakabatai, close to ichinose village, easy travel connections, ski lockers in basement, modern facilities.

Cons: Beds too hard for non Japanese guests. No economy dining option for breakfast and dinner in hotel.

Pros: Excellent Service and a Great Location. Highly recommended

Cons: Nothing

Pros: location is amazing

Cons: rooms are dirty and restaurant is not good at all

Pros: The rooms were ok with great views and Loved being on the mountain.

Cons: The dining experience was poor, lack of variety and inflexible booking options. Dinner was ok but lack of variety, breakfast wasn’t worth it. Staff didn’t help out with the most basic of requests, only one girl finally helped us on the 6th day. Bar was hilarious opened in 2 hour slots and drinks were on the light side. When booking we erroneously thought the east, west and south buildings were closer in location and we would have easy have access to the onsen which was only available in the west building. We didn’t even go once. Don’t think we would go to such a resort again.

Pros: Great location for ski in and ski out Good night view from the window Polite and helpful staff Big TV

Cons: We stayed for 7 nights at the East Prince hotel. Bed was too hard for a long stay. Our room was so far from all places as it was the end of the hall which was very long. Lack of facility activities, nothing around the hotel, especially at night. Lack of power outlets in the room Refrigerator in the room was a bit too small for a long-term stay guests . No cafe or restaurants open during the weekdays. There is only one little gift shop which carries a little food items, snacks ,alcohol and soft drinks. No ice machine, no washing machine, no microwave... all necessary for a long-term stay guests I believe… If you don’t ski or snowboard during the day, you have nothing to do staying at this hotel.

Pros: Located close to the ski lifts. Ski rental and lockers were right at the hotel

Cons: Dirty and stained carpets not only in the room but all over the hotel. Old broken shelves were stored at the rest area on the ground floor next to the guests chairs and tables. No much of a food selection. A single restaurant closed at 8 pm. No bar to have a drink.

Pros: Staff very nice

Cons: Cleanes

Pros: The hotel staffs were so nice, especially Zen, who is very informative and helps us a lot. The Onsen is good, the hotel is very clean. There is shuttle bus to the ski lift. Buffet Dinner is also very good, during our 4 stays, they changed everyday.

Cons: The hotel is pretty old. The bathroom is not good to use. But with Onsen, there is no need to use it.

Pros: Shiga Palace is in a good location at the Southern end of Shiga Kogen. Staff are friendly and was sad to hear Zen (Zen had excellent English) doesn’t work here anymore.

Cons: The springs (western style bed) in the mattress’s have collapsed completely and instead of replacing them, they have place a thin 2inch foam mattress on top!! Enough said…

Pros: The staff are very friendly and helpful. They help us with booking ski lessons and even arranged to drive us to the spot. There is ski rental shop inside the hotel and the equipment are good. Breakfast is nice too.

Cons: One of our rooms is at the end of the corridor, which the WiFi signal is a bit weak.

Pros: The staff was amazing! They were really helpful, and patient with us, unable to communicate in japanese. Everything is really clean. For breakfast or dinner there is enough types of foods for any diet!

Cons: The facilities are slightly outdated.

Pros: - Staff were extremely friendly, patient and willing to offer help. - Rooms were spacious and kept clean. They even left small daily snacks (biscuits - if you liked it you can purchase it at their convenience store on the first floor) - Ski lockers were big and spacious, we could leave our ski googles and gear on the wooden racks in our locker. - Breakfast was simple but enough for us and had the home-cooked feel - Though we were only about 3-4 mins walk from the ski lift, the accommodation provided free shuttle there (wouldn't be easy to walk carrying our skis) - Full fledge convenience store at level 1 so we could easily buy snacks and drinks

Cons: - Was a ski in and out from one of the mountains but a distance away (approx. 45 mins by shuttle, we have to switch buses too) from the other 2 connecting mountains (Ichinose). We had to take the first bus out every morning to maximise our ski time as we have to leave where we were by 3+, 4pm to catch the last buses to our accommodation (or you can pay 800 to 1000 yen/per person just to get back to the hotel) - There was the toilet drainage smell, but assuming this would be the sewage issues in general not much the hotel - General to all of Shigakogen: if you don't take full board (dinner) at the hotel, you will pretty much have nowhere to eat!

Pros: The staff were very helpful, the accommodation and eating experience was authentically Japanese and the location as a skiing holiday was tops especially with the opportunity to travel to multiple ski fields

Cons: The ski and snow board rental was conventionally located within the hotel and equipment was well maintained although only one middle of the range ski hire option. Food in the hotel was excellent although you can only eat in the hotel you are booked into.

Pros: The staff were very helpful, food delicious and everthing was clean and comfortable.

Cons: Nothing

Pros: Very friendly and accommodating staff.