Umeoka Ryokan

There’s an onsen with green mineral water, a good size and really hot, which I used. The inn also has quite a bit of parking around the side and a bike guests can borrow, though I chose to walk. It was easy to see other temples on foot or by public transport, but the main tourist spots weren’t very close without a car, and I didn’t have one. The walk from the station was under 10 minutes, which suited me since I had wheeled luggage. My traditional Japanese room on the first floor was quiet and fairly large, with a rice pillow and air-conditioning. There was a fridge and sink just outside. Breakfast was available if booked in advance or bought initially, but I skipped it because I was traveling alone and didn’t want a set time to get up. Coming out of the station, there’s a large shopping center with a few stairs, and a cheap, interesting supermarket over two floors at its entrance.

The owner was incredibly kind and friendly. He even offered us a free ride to Nagano station, and I’m very grateful. His English isn’t strong, but he did his best to communicate. The breakfast was generous and tasty, for 900 yen. There’s a coin washer and dryer on the first floor, plus a rooftop clothesline. The room was clean and a reasonable size, with a comfortable futon and warm blanket, though there were only two power outlets. For the price, I was satisfied. It’s about a 10-minute walk to nagano station, with lots of izakayas nearby. Morning restaurants are hard to find, though Family Mart is about five minutes away. The bath is shared. In the men’s bath, there are two rooms: the first has a coin washer and a place to put clothes, and you undress there before going naked into the second room. That’s the bathroom, with three showers and soap and shampoo before the bath itself. The bath is about 3-4 meters long and fits around four people, so expect to share it with strangers, naked.

The area feels cozy but quite touristy, and there aren’t many shops close by. Most of the shops and restaurants are around the station. It’s a seven-minute walk from there. The host was nice and the place was good, though the bathrooms are shared and the stall doors don’t reach the floor.

It’s a decent budget stay around 20 minutes from Nagano Station. The futon pad is generously thick, though the pillows could use replacing. You’ll want a power strip if you have several devices, or you can pick one up at the nearby Don Quixote. The men’s bathing room feels as dated as the rooms, while the women’s bath is quite nice. When things are quiet, the owner, a very friendly older gentleman, may let the women’s bath be used by a family or couple.