Hakuba Ryujin Onsen RYOKAN SUI

That little post-onsen ritual became my favorite part of the day: a glass of sake or water with their local syrup. The hotel also had all the basics we wanted, from a comfortable room and good food to kind staff. When we ran into problems, they took them seriously and did their best to help, which really showed their warm hospitality. It’s handy for getting around too, with a bus stop nearby for the ski area shuttle or the Tokyo bus. Whether you’re there to relax or ski, I’d recommend staying here.

We were made to feel at home from the moment Chika and Yasuto picked us up at the train station. They helped us catch the right ski shuttle, called taxis when we needed them, and were welcoming every time we came and went. Chika always greeted us warmly and asked about our day; Yasuto carried our bags to the room and drove us back to the station when we left. Nothing seemed like a hassle to them. Our ground-floor twin room was roomy, spotless, and very warm, almost too warm. After skiing, the onsen was lovely, and there was no extra charge for guests to use it. Breakfast had a fresh, nicely presented selection. There were drinks and treats at reception, coin laundry on site, and beautiful views from the accommodation. A 7/11 is about a 5-10 minute walk away, with a convenience and grocery store next door. The ski fields are close, though Echoland is farther away, and a taxi or Uber was about $32 each way. We loved our stay and would absolutely come back. We already miss Chika!

The kids declared this the best hotel we’d ever stayed in, and they even enjoyed their first Onsen. The hotel and rooms have been remodeled recently, so everything feels fresh and new, and the staff were friendly and helpful throughout. We were a family of four, with kids aged 11 and 13, and skied Goryu and Hakuba 47. They’re connected, so it felt like one resort, and it was plenty large for our intermediate abilities. The bus stop for Goryu was only about a 5-8 minute walk, so we ended up skiing there for both days instead of trying Happo One. We had a great time.

The ryokan was probably the nicest place we stayed during our time in Japan, and the employees were warm and welcoming whenever we saw them. We had both breakfast and dinner included, and the food was amazing. Dinner especially was unusual in a good way, with generous portions. I had a great time here with my friends and would stay again. The ski resorts were 7-20 minutes away, and downtown was less than a 10-minute trip.