Rako Hananoi Hotel

The rooftop deck was brilliant, and the hotel also has a pool and a great Chinese restaurant in the lobby. There are large public and private baths, plus mama chari for rent. Our traditional tatami room was spacious, the staff were friendly, and the ryokan is a stone's throw from Lake Suwa. The nearest station is an easy walk away.

The rooftop terrace was my favourite spot, with a romantic feel and a wonderful view across the whole lake. The public bath has several pools, including two outdoors, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Our room was very spacious and looked out over the lake. It’s close to both the lake and the castle, while the station is a little farther away, about a five-minute taxi ride. Staff were friendly and helpful, and both dinner and breakfast were fantastic.

The staff were lovely and the location was wonderful, but that’s where the good parts stopped for me. The rooms felt dated, and the air conditioning didn’t work. Staff didn’t know how to fix it. Restaurant meals were bland, with limited choices, so I’d eat elsewhere. I hope they sort out the air conditioning and update the bedrooms to make staying here more pleasant.

I enjoyed the terrace, which is free to use and has a scenic lake view. The onsen and bath facilities were great, and the other installations were good despite feeling a little old. My washlet wasn’t working, though I only noticed late and can be understanding about that. It’s a bit far from the station and other Suwa highlights. They do provide a free ride to the station on checkout day.