Hotel Saginoyu

The food was delicious without being over the top, and the portions felt just right. The hot spring was wonderful, too. This is a ryokan I can confidently recommend in Suwa, at a time when traditional Japanese hospitality seems to be disappearing. The building is a modern hotel rather than a wooden one, but the welcome felt genuinely traditional. Our room and the Japanese courtyard were both clean and well kept. The staff were polite and warm toward guests. It’s impressive to find such a large, well-maintained ryokan with well-trained staff in a rural area.

A five-star ryokan. The location is great, with Lake Suwa right out front and shops and places to eat within walking distance. When we arrived, staff showed us around and explained how to use everything.

The rooms were spacious and clean, with views of the lake, and the hot spring was especially nice in the cold weather. We only wish we’d stayed long enough to see the sunset. The hotel felt cosy, and the woman who checked us in was polite and helpful. She even tried speaking our language, which we appreciated. We were happy to stay here.

I loved the hot spring, and my skin felt really smooth afterward. The meals were delicious, too, and the service was excellent. The Okami seemed to truly understand what good service means. It’s a century-old hotel, and I’d recommend it. I hope I can visit again someday.