TOKIWAYA Ryokan

For the price, I expected more flexibility and better service at Tokiwaya Ryokan. During my stay there was no housekeeping, and guests were expected to change their own sheets, which seemed unusual for a ryokan at this price. They also don’t offer discounted ski lift tickets, a missed perk for a ski trip. Not being allowed to store luggage after checkout was especially inconvenient for travelers and skiers, unlike at most hotels in the area. If you want a more accommodating stay in Nozawa, you might want to look elsewhere.

The food at Tokiwaya Ryokan’s restaurant was five-star. Our group of four had a kaiseki meal with seven courses, and we could sit at a table or on the tatami floor. The floor seating looked nicer, but the table was more comfortable for us. We each picked a different course meal, and Beef Sukiyaki was my favorite. The beef is cooked and dipped into whisked raw egg. The beer came in huge bottles and wasn’t very cold, so I wish we’d ordered Sake instead.

I stayed in late spring and thought the price was great for what you get. The rooms are spacious, the breakfast is excellent, and the downstairs bar is a nice place to hang out. The location is wonderful, and the people were friendly and provided excellent service.

It’s tucked right into the village, but the place stays quiet. The staff were really kind and helpful, and there are four pools at different temperatures in the hotel’s onsen. The moving walkway to the slopes is about a five-minute walk away, handy for a bit of stretching.