The in-onsen was a bit too simple, and dirty

Beautiful and magical old ryokan

Stayed in June 2025

Nothing it was amazing

Can’t recommend this place enough ! The owner was so lovely and helpful and the accommodation was incredible. The rooms were gorgeous and the private onsen was a highlight. Would definitely come back here !!!

Stayed in May 2025

It was great. Town was very quiet though on a Wednesday night with a lot of restaurants closed but we found somewhere to eat in the end.

Fabulous ryokan with the best outdoor hot spring bath in town. Really friendly and helpful owner. We saw lots of snow monkeys and also fireflies in the town park over the river.

Stayed in May 2025

Nothing!

I had an exceptional stay at the riyokan that exceeded my (already high) expectations. The owner is so welcoming, friendly and really helpful. He let me check in when I arrived a bit earlier than the check-in time. He also provided all the information about the town and Snow Monkey Park that I needed: a list of restaurants and his recommendations, bus timetables to get to Yudanaka Station and the Snow Monkey Park, an explanation of how the public onsen work. The day I checked out he let me keep my luggage at the property so I could go to the Snow Monkey Park. Communication was great for everything I needed, and when I had more complicated questions/requests, we used google translate. The room was spacious, clean and comfortable, with a private bathroom, and with yukata and some other clothes included to wear during your stay. The private onsen at the property are beautiful! There's a system to hang a sign outside the outdoor onsen so that you can use it privately for a while. There are also spaces inside the property to sit and read. Breakfast was fantastic - a large, traditional meal prepared in a private room with tatami. The location is unbeatable - all the public onsen are just a few minutes walk away. The owner gives you a key that allows access to them from 6am-10pm, and the private onsen at the property are available 24 hours. A nighttime private onsen visit is magic! The snow monkey park is only a short bus ride away, although I ended up walking there and back - for those who enjoy walking or hiking, it's an easy hour's walk away and the scenery is beautiful. I couldn't recommend this place more if you are planning a trip to Shibu Onsen or the area. The owner goes above and beyond, and it's one of the most magical places I've stayed at in Japan!

Stayed in May 2025

The listing on Booking.com does not make it clear that you have to reserve dinner in advance by reaching out to the property, so I missed out on dinner. There was something gross in the outdoor bath. Not sure how long it had been there or how often that gets cleaned. Everything else was very clean.

Location could not have been better. Host was helpful and friendly. Outdoor bath was divine and indoor baths were good too. Rooms were clean and extremely comfortable. Breakfast was tasty.

Stayed in May 2025

Nothing

Very big room, comfy and clean. Great decoration and atmosphere. The outdoor bath are very nice, several temperatures are available and they can be privatised. Traditional breakfast can be ordered by message when making the reservation and is copious and tasty. Great location. Walkable distance to the monkey park and you can go around the town in yukata and enjoy the public bathes

Stayed in April 2025

Check out is 10am.

Torazo the owner is great, super friendly and helpful. He is respectful and provides you a lot of privacy even though the inn is small. The building is older and could use newer carpet and fresh paint. But it is a comfortable place with nice baths on site. It isn't fancy, but old style and clean. Sleeping on the floor is rough for me, but if you want extra pads they will set that up for you. You also have access to the key to use the public baths in town. There is laundry on site if you need it. Also if you drive ask Torazo for directions to his garage. We had breakfast with our stay. It was very Japanese with all the little dishes, soup and tea. You sit on the floor and take your time. It was so nice to walk around town in the Yukata and soak. Showers are not in the room you use the onsen area. It's not far from the Snow Monkey Park!

Stayed in May 2025

Unfortunately the shower has cold water only when we were there, ended up using onsen water mixed with tap water to wash hair and shower, not the most comfortable thing to do Japanese style breakfast which I didn’t mind but partner not a fan of.

In house outdoor onsen possible for private use Traditional building with history Culture experience

Stayed in April 2025

The only thing I would say is that there were dustwebs hanging of the ceiling

Beautiful location in a historic building. Private onsen was very pretty. Breakfast was beautifully presented and was delicious and for us a special experience as a first Japanese breakfast. The host was very kind. Close to Jigokudani Yaen-Koen where you can see the snow monkeys.

Stayed in May 2025

This is such a beautiful ryokan, highly recommended! Kind staff, beautiful room and a wonderful outdoor onsen. Don’t miss their delicious traditional Japanese breakfast in the morning.

Stayed in April 2025

The private onsen is so beautiful, with three temperature zones. The building is authentic and lovely to experience. The breakfast was traditional and outstanding. The staff is so kind and accommodating. There is a suite with two rooms for families. The location is unbeatable, next to Onsen no 9 and 1 min walk to the bus stop to the monkeys.

Stayed in April 2025

This is a special place with history and kindness. We loved our stay.

Stayed in April 2025

Definitely book with the meals included, some of the best food we had in Japan.

Stayed in March 2025

Pure magic! I can’t overstate the wonderful time we had here. It’s been run by the Torazo family for 400 years and the current Torazo is a pure gem! Super friendly and accommodating, he even made insanely cool origami dragons for our kids! Don’t miss out on this special place.

Stayed in March 2025

Private onsen was just brilliant and serene, open area above one of the baths allows snow to gently land on you as you soak in the waters. Tatami mats and futons were supremely comfortable for an authentic ryokan experience. Truly a magical experience reminiscent of old world Japan. Hot tip, order the traditional Japanese breakfast (must be pre-ordered)!

Stayed in January 2025

The place is old, but well maintained by our hosts. We mainly washed in the onsens and there was no options for showers which would've been good, but we didn't mind at all.

The location was perfect and in the heart of Shibu Onsen. Our hosts were very lovely. They gave us good reccomendations for food, drink and where to go for the best onsens. They provided yukatas for us to wear, and had a private onsen (which i've learnt is quite rare) which guests can use. They also made us a traditional breakfast, nicely presented, good portions and delicious; it made my heart melt! Very pleased with our room, it was quiet, although we feel like all our guests are respectful and kept the volume to a low, so we were lucky. We sleep on futons, laid out beautifully, and we had room to sit for tea. When we left our hosts gave us an origami swan that he made himself which was adorable. I would highly reccomend staying here again.

Stayed in March 2025

Prívate Onsen amazing, Monkey Valley just near by amazing, Ski resort station amazing

Stayed in March 2025

The traditional atmosphere of the space was gorgeous and cozy. The host and staff were amazing, very helpful and kind. Location was perfect for everything we wanted to explore and the private onsen was to die for! The photos don't do this place justice. Would definitely stay here again!

Stayed in March 2025

They have NO hot shower,, after soaking in their Onsen, you will use the same hot water in the Onsen to clean your body which I did not do, left with no choice I cleaned my body with cold shower and the weather that time was snowing, 0 degrees Celsius,,

Breakfast is excellent and delicious

Stayed in March 2025

Honestly, can't think of a single thing. Only thing I will warn you about, the locals are insanely friendly and you will end up hammered if you have a drink with them haha.

This was the highlight of our trip, wish I'd known how good it was as would have spent another night at least. The location is fantastic, the owner was so sweet, obviously you have the monkey park on your doorstep, but you also have 9 onsens to try out as well as the ones in the hotel. Honestly, great stay and would highly recommend.

Stayed in March 2025

It’s a very old house and I understand it may not be sparkling clean, totally fine with me! But I noticed they had not cleaned around the washbasin for a while which surprised me as usually the washroom/bathroom is always a very clean area in Japan.

First time we stay at a Ryokan and we enjoyed our stay very much! It’s fun to wear the yukata around and get immersed in this traditional world. The private Onsen is pure bliss! We slept well on the tatami and the room was big! The owner is adorable and make our stay very comfortable. We enjoyed the traditional breakfast and it was worth it!

Stayed in February 2025

Great onsen at the Ryokan, owner very friendly and helpful. We really enjoyed our stay.

Stayed in March 2025

I would have loved a private bathroom

It was a charming old place with wonderful hot springs

Stayed in January 2025

nothing

If some accommodation deserves an exceptional, it must be this peace of heaven! It was without exaggerating amazing! The owner is super friendly and welcoming, as well as a chef who prepared us breakfast. The breakfast was so delicious we were not hungry for the rest of the day! The best is that even though the whole hotel was booked we didn't stumble upon other guests, so we felt very private. The onsen in the facility is like a getaway to nature in the middle of a village. There is an option for an exterior one which can be private and an option for an inside onsen for women and men separately. We had as well a key for all the baths in the village. We are truly grateful to be able to stay here. Thank you very much!

Stayed in February 2025