Raki Onsenryokan

We were a group of eight, four adults and four teens, and stayed on May 5, 2026. The host welcomed us warmly, with a smile, and went well beyond what we expected. Even with the language barrier, she used translation tools to help us plan our itinerary and stayed with us from our late check-in at 20:00 until we'd settled for the night. Our Room 401 on the fourth floor was a traditional Japanese room, and the tatami beds were very comfortable. We woke to a beautiful mountain view. There was also a Japanese tea set in the room, and sharing tea there was one of the highlights of our 14-day trip. As strict vegetarians, we appreciated how accommodating the host was. She let us use a room on the ground floor for meals and provided freshly boiled rice at no extra charge. The separate men's and women's onsens are in the basement and available throughout the stay. Yukatas and Geta, traditional wooden sandals, were provided too. The location made travel easy for our large group. It's a very short walk from Yudanaka Station and a FamilyMart convenience store. The ryokan's free shuttle takes about 15 minutes to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park. Shibu Onsen's famous 9 bathhouses are a 10-minute drive away. Guests can use the 9th bathhouse for a fee of 500 Yen. The wooden key that gives access to all 9 bathhouses isn't included. We were allowed to check out late at 14:00 at no extra cost, which made leaving stress-free. A true home away from home, with wonderful Japanese hospitality. She treated us like family, and we'll definitely be back. 10/10.

The room shower was too cramped for us, so we used the onsen instead. Staff were helpful, and guests can borrow ski gear and clothes for free. It’s an easy walk from the station, with a convenience store nearby. In winter, though, hauling luggage down the sloped route can be tricky with snow, puddles, and ice. We stayed one night in December, and it’s a decent base for Snow Monkey Valley or the nearby ski resorts.

The onsen was simple to use and a great place to warm up and unwind, and breakfast was worth having. The owners were really friendly and helpful. It’s only about a four-minute walk from Yudanaka Station, with lots of restaurants and a Lawsons within ten minutes on foot. They’ll also give you a free ride to Jigokudani Monkey Park and lend snow boots in winter.

The staff’s kindness made this stay unforgettable. I was using crutches, and when they heard we wanted to see the snow monkeys that day, one of them urged us to set off right away and quickly arranged for another staff member to drive us to the top for free. We’d called the day before to ask about leaving our bags before the 3 pm check-in, and they’d said that was fine. When we came back, our luggage was already in the room and the beds were made. Breakfast the next morning was just right before another long travel day. The place is also very close to the train station, which was a big plus.