Nothing

The traditional character of the property, the location, the hospitality of our hosts and the quality of the food.

Stayed in August 2025

The building is dated and needs renovations in some parts. The rooms were pretty dusty. There were large bugs in the washing area, but it is a country side, so it is expected.

The hotel provides a traditional ryokan experience. The property is located in a nice isolated area on a mountain/hill. It is managed by an elderly couple who do most of work themselves. We were met by the husband at the Agematsu train station and he drove us to the hotel. The wife speaks a very good English, she checked us in and showed all the amenities. We had a nice private onsen for ourselves shortly after check-in. Usually, onsens are too hot for our young son, but this one was not too hot, so he bathed for the first time in an onsen. We had a lovely stroll around the area before dinner. The dinner was a tradition kaiseki ryori with great quality ingredients. We loved that we were able to grill the meats on the white charcoal on the table (tables have firepits built in them). The breakfast was delicious as well.

Stayed in July 2025

We loved everything!

We had an amazing stay at Minshuku Sawaguchi! We loved the heartwarming hospitality, the authentic experience of being hosted in a place with so much history surrounded by the sounds of nature! The ryokan is run by an old couple, the 95 year old mother of the owner lives at the premises and they were very hospitable and friendly with us even though we didn’t speak Japanese. We enjoyed our room at the first floor with a view of the fish pond and nature and the traditional Japanese tatami beds with hemp husk pillows. We took special delight to bath in the onsen bath and enjoyed the home cooked extremely delicious and abundant that was prepared with great skill and care by the owners. We were very touched to be able to spend two nights at such a special place and are very grateful that we booked this ryokan and were able to experience the rural Japanese culture.

Stayed in July 2025

Welcoming, friendly staff. Fantastic traditional meals. Like staying at your grandmas house on the countryside.

Stayed in May 2025

Nothing :)

The house is so amazing - it’s old, traditional and very cosy. It’s in the mountains but the owners kindly offered to pick us up and drop us off at the train station. The owners are exceptionally kind. Staying here feels like walking into your own home - it’s very cosy and welcoming. Dinner was amazing, they cooked so many different dishes for us and it was all incredibly delicious. They have a wooden bath / onsen for after dinner which was a lovely surprise.

Stayed in April 2025

Misunderstood the booking, i thought the meals were included in the price but had to add extra. It was worth every penny.

Nestled in the Kiso valley. Authentic traditional home stay with a lovely couple. Not fancy if that’s what you’re after and yet very comfortable. sleeping on futons on tatami. Beautiful japanese dinner & breakfast homemade. Must have a car to get there easily.

Stayed in April 2025

Great guest house run by a very sweet couple. They go out of their way to make sure you're comfortable. Highly recommend staying with them if you're hiking the nakasendo or just in the area.

Stayed in March 2025

The building is old and could use some renovation, the roof in particular. That being said, it kind of added to the character of the place.

Dinner and breakfast were the highlight of the stay.

Stayed in June 2024

A very special place. Such a nice and welcoming couple. The place is super clean and beyond beautiful. And the food was excellent! Definitely recommend. :-)

Stayed in July 2024

Because i didn't have a phone#, I couldn't arrange a call for them to pick me up from train station. So I hike up the mountains to get to the location. But they do offer pick-up/dropoff service for free.

The hosts (husband/wife) were extremely friendly and welcoming. She can speak a little English and was fun hearing about the history of the home. The breakfast and dinner meals were amazing -- they were local dishes and had a very homey feel.

Stayed in April 2024

All was good

A unique traditional Japanese farming living experience. They are set up for walkers. The hostess was very kind and hospitable. The bedding was very comfortable. I unfortunately became very sick after drinking the clear mountain water the day before. ( I have it on good authority that you shouldn't do this if you aren't used to it.) The hosts were very caring and went out of their way to find me medication.

Stayed in April 2024

Nothing.

Location was excellent, with superb views across high-hill, wood and valley. All food provided was well-prepared, interesting and delicious. The house itself is large and very atmospheric - unique in our experience and never to be forgotten.

Stayed in April 2024

The property is very run-down and has seen better years. The whole estate is in dire need of repair, with crumbling huts and roofs here and there, old decrepit facilities, and totaled cars and farming equipment. The place is probably in its last throws, as the current owners are a very old, but very sweet, couple. The run-down nature of there place doesn’t affect the quality of the stay, however, and we very comfy, well fed, and got a sense that we were truly experiencing Japanese culture.

This really is a genuine Japanese experience, with the Minshuku tucked into the hillside of Kisu valley. We booked here for its proximity to Atera Valley and Tsumago Juku, and we were able to see both in one afternoon. The food at the Minshuku was also very good and filling, with local ingredients and game (they fed us wild venison and even bear). The private onsen is also top-notch.

Stayed in April 2024

This is not the kind of place where you go in telling the hosts what to improve. Either go to be adventurous and experience a slice of traditional Japan accepting that it won’t be perfect or book yourself into a chain hotel in Matsumoto.

This place is very special but you have to be in the right mindset and expectations. It is off the beaten track and a bit hard to find and you really should have a car to get there. It is more like a homestay than a full service hotel, and it's a very, very authentic Japanese experience. The building is an old farmhouse dating to around 1900 with gorgeous exterior landscaping. The indoor hearth is blackened by the ash of a century of fires and the wooden floors are worn smooth by many feet. The proprietors are an older Japanese couple who are doing their best to cater to their guests. The wife and her assistant (maybe her sister?) cooked a wonderful dinner. Really excellent. Yes, they have hibachis in the dining room and yes, there is some smoke (at dinner, not breakfast). The bedrooms are traditional Japanese tatami rooms with a futon closet and futons. You make your own bed and the sheets provided were crisply folded so you knew they were professionally cleaned. However, the futons themselves didn't feel that fresh, however were acceptable. We had a couple of stink bugs get in our room (that time of year) and the husband dealt with them. The bedrooms were heated by an individual heater (November) powered by some kind of fossil fuel (kerosene?)-- common in Japan, not in the USA. The toilet room is downstairs from the bedrooms. The sink area was outside and exposed to the hallway. In the evening, the wife assigns you a bathtime. We were tired so didn't bathe but the bath was like an onsen and looked pretty nice. I felt privileged to share in the experience of staying at this ancient farm house and applaud the owners for their hard work in welcoming guests. It was a great place to stay after the Nakasendo Trail.

Stayed in November 2023

Outstanding stay Very friendly and wonderful food Utterly unique

Stayed in November 2023

Minshuku Sawaguchi is a wonderful example of a Japanese guesthouse. The Sawaguchi couple work very hard to present a comfortable and welcoming experience in the Kiso Mountains. Meals are well presented, varied and the fish dishes were about the best we had during our time in Japan. The Hinoki soaking tub alone is worth the price.

Stayed in October 2023

Cold, need heat in room. Would not like to be there in the winter!

Wonderful experience in an old Minshuku run by extremely nice couple. We arranged pick up from Agematsu station, otherwise would need a car. Very old house, charming for a very Japanese style experience. Dinner and breakfast were awesome. Sawaguchi-san is a great cook. The Agematsu tourist info at station was very helpful. There is a lot to do in the area if you love nature.

Stayed in October 2023

Like any other traditional inn, there are shared bathroom and bath that are on the first floor while the guest room is on the second floor. This is not ideal but it’s manageable. The shared bath is great and clean.. same for the toilet.

The hosts are amazing couple who enjoy interacting and indulging young travellers . We felt at home from the moment we walked in. The location is very special on a top of a mountain (must have a car to get there) surrounded by greenery and flowers. The house itself is quite old but well maintained and reserved. Dinner and breakfast served were the top of the stay there with special traditional dining and delicious fresh food. For dinner we had small bbq along with hot pot, serving fresh meat and fish. Breakfast was rich with most delicious tamago, fish and soup. The view is spectacular and it feels like a dream.

Stayed in October 2023

Slightly musky due to being an old house, which triggered my asthma.

Traditional Japanese Ryokan. The hosts were very welcoming and provided an authentic experience. Based in the hills of Agematsu. The stay was perfect for our walk through the Nakasendo. Both dinner and breakfast were delicious and substantial.

Stayed in September 2023

House is 130 years old, some parts may have been better maintained. For us this was part of the authentic experience so it didnt bother much

Great traditional Ryokan in a segragated 130 years old farm house, located in the middle of the woods, 10 minutes drive from kiso vally town. Host is very hospitable and pleasent. Excellent Japanese style food is served both for breakfast and dinner. Vegeterian option available per request. Dinner was a multi course meal, partially cooked on an open fire placed in the middle of the table. Delicious!

Stayed in September 2023

We had a very nice stay the host was amazingly helpful and nice, the food was exceptional. good experience to those who wish to escape the big cities.

Stayed in September 2023

Great food Very authentic Very kind host

Stayed in August 2023

While we appreciate the efforts of this unique stay, we didn’t feel the other reviews accurately depicted the conditions and want to be sure that people who come here are happy with it! While we were fine to stay here, I definitely know a lot of people that wouldn’t be. It’s pretty rustic. The house is just really old, there was mold in some spots where I’m Fairly sure the roof likely leaks into the room and I’m not sure if they have very good trash pick up. It’s obvious that they clean, but pretty cluttered and deals with some old house things. There are also quite a few bugs. The price isn’t exactly reflective of that but comparative to other places in the area it is in the cheaper side.

My daughter says it was like visiting your Japanese grandmother! The couple and all the staff were so very kind and accommodating! You can tell they work really hard. The grounds were lovely with so many flowers and the sound of the running stream going all night. Dinner at the 30 ft family table, sitting on the floor felt really authentic and the food just kept coming! The couple walked us out and waved at us the entire time we drove away. Such a kind hard working family!

Stayed in May 2024

It is extremely smoky inside in the evening due to the traditional hearth. Also while grilling dinner, the smoke is overwhelming. There is no ventilation in the old building. Don’t come if you have asthma or pulmonary issues!! Location is very remote! If you come in the fall, there are tons of stink bugs inside. The rooms really need updating. Rooms are upstairs, while toilets and bath are downstairs, which is a little difficult if you need the bathroom in the night.

It was really good food, and the futon beds were very comfortable. The owners are kind and will deliver guests to and from the property. The old house is very interesting!

Stayed in October 2023