Kamisuwa Onsen Hotel Shinyu

A great place to stay in any season, with a good base for seeing the sights year-round. The staff were professional but also friendly and personable. The rooms were nicely laid out with just the right amount of amenities. Meals were traditional, full-course dishes made with flavorful local ingredients. I’d stay here again.

We got a great deal for the Christmas season, and the location was just what we wanted, close to Lake Suwa. Staff greeted us right outside the hotel, which was very accommodating. The bar and lounge area had a stylish atmosphere, and we especially liked the sakura tree. It was our first ryokan stay, and the spacious room really had that ryokan feel. We only booked breakfast, but it was delicious and healthy, with locally sourced Nagano vegetables. I’d recommend staying here and would come back next time. Thanks for the wonderful service!

The windows wouldn’t open because there were bugs stuck on the outside of the glass. The breakfast was served kaiseki-style, mostly cold or at room temperature, so it may not suit everyone, though that’s part of the traditional experience. Staff were welcoming and friendly. They spoke little English, but everything was still arranged smoothly and without stress. We stayed two nights in April during sakura season, four of us, three adults and one child. It was our first time in Japan and our first ryokan, and the stay was unforgettable. The room was spacious and well designed, with two single beds and a tatami area that worked well for a family. The beds and linen were comfortable, and daily housekeeping kept everything neat. We appreciated having a separate bathroom and toilet, plus free parking on site. The onsen was clean, quiet, and deeply relaxing at night. There was also a daily free drink coupon to exchange at the night bar, but after soaking we were too relaxed and lazy to go out. All in all, the service, comfort, and peaceful setting by Lake Suwa made this a wonderful introduction to Japan, beyond what we expected.

We had a lovely stay. The views were beautiful, and facilities were available around the clock. My favorite part was the private onsen. The rooms were thoughtfully designed and really comfortable.