4-Star Hotels in Nagano Prefecture, Japan

Buffet breakfast was great, children eats free. We have a car so is accessible. Ski field a short 8 mins away. Onsen was nice, unfortunately not all guests followed the rules. Would be perfect if they provided Japanese toiletries in the hotel room (Dove brand provided). Room with balcony was beautiful. Overall we really enjoyed our stay, the facilities, hospitality. Highly recommended.

From the moment you enter Kokuya Ryokan, be prepared to leave the real world behind and fully immerse yourself in the experience. You swap your shoes for slippers at the door and don’t see them again until you leave. You will receive a warm welcome from polite and gentle-mannered staff, get taken up to your beautiful room, and once you’ve changed into your traditional yukata, it’s time to let the relaxation begin. The multi-course dinner will probably be one of the best meals you’ve had in your life, with many unusual textures and flavors to try. The futons are comfortable, and your room is kept toasty warm. There are even skincare products to keep you pampered and moisturized between soaks in the onsen. Honestly, you won’t even need to open your suitcase while you’re there. The staff will take you through all the logistics when you arrive, but there are some things that might be useful to know in advance. - The ryokan sends a shuttle to Yudanaka station at about 15:00 to collect new arrivals, so time your journey to take advantage of this benefit. - The ryokan also offers guests the opportunity to catch a shuttle to the Snow Monkey Park immediately after breakfast the next morning. - After you leave the ryokan, they will take your luggage down to the coffee shop opposite the station, so you don’t need to worry about those logistics. - Trains from Yudanaka back to Nagano leave at 12:30 and 15:30. - The ryokan itself has several private onsens that you can reserve for a 45-minute slot. Because the onsens are on the property, you can go in with your partner or travel companions regardless of gender. It’s a boutique hotel, so you don’t have to worry about not getting access to all the onsens you want. - The ryokan is on the main road of the Shibu Onsen town. The hotel will give you a key so you can wonder down the main road, visiting any of the public onsens you wish - however, with so many gorgeous and more private onsens in the hotel itself, you probably won’t have time or the desire for this. - Also, there is a coffee machine in the room! (I was worried about having to survive without coffee, and this turned out to be an unfounded concern). We had an incredible and totally indulgent time at Kokuya. Experiencing a traditional ryokan is a privilege that you should try at least once if you can. And adding the Snow Monkeys in give the trip a double purpose, making it that much more memorable. The only thing that would have made the trip better is if we had been allowed to linger longer over every course of our dinner.

The hotel is huge; it took me at least ten minutes to walk through countless rooms to get to mine. However, the views from the hotel are stunning, and it's super convenient as it's connected to the outlets. The breakfast is really good and varied, with options like beef rice bowls and salmon, all well-prepared. There's also a FamilyMart right outside, so you can grab pretty much any essentials you need. Plus, the hotel offers a shuttle service to Karuizawa Station and the outlets.

Absolutely impressed! It truly lives up to its reputation as a resort town – peaceful, beautiful, and with amazing views. The rooms were incredibly clean, the service was excellent, and the onsen was a perfect 100. The classic-style rooms were clean and cozy, with high-quality furniture. I would definitely return if I have the chance. Parking is free for those with cars, and the hotel also offers a shuttle service for train travelers. The food is high-quality, and the restaurant, rooms, onsen, and views are simply stunning.

The hotel offers a tranquil atmosphere surrounded by nature, allowing you to relax and feel like you're away from everyday life. The interior has a warm and inviting design, and the guest rooms are clean and comfortable. The staff were attentive and their thoughtful service left a lasting impression. The hot spring bath is spacious, allowing you to fully unwind after a long day of travel. It's a hotel where you can fully enjoy the charm of Hakuba, and I would love to visit again.

My husband and I planned a trip to Kamikochi and stopped over in Matsumoto. The hotel is about an 8-minute walk from the station, which is quite convenient, but the nearest convenience store is also a four or five-minute walk away. The breakfast at the hotel was pretty good, the tempura was delicious, though the variety wasn't huge, so eating it for two consecutive days might get a bit boring. From 9:30 PM, they offer free ramen, which is a nice touch after a hot spring bath. The onsen also provides free ice cream, and in the morning, they have Yakult. The hotel is also quite clean. Highly recommend it!

Had a really pleasant stay overall. The place was very clean and well-maintained, and the location was convenient for getting around. Service was excellent 👍 staff were friendly and helpful throughout our stay. Amenities were also complete and comfortable. Would definitely recommend for couples looking for a smooth and enjoyable stay.

Excellent! The environment is beautiful! The room is clean! The service is great! The food is decent! The hotel facilities are very comprehensive! It feels wonderful to look out at the snow-capped mountains! Very comfortable! It's very close to the ski resort!

I stayed at this hotel for one night, and overall, it was quite a pleasant experience. I really liked my room — it was clean, modern, and comfortable. The only thing that surprised me was that the window to the balcony didn’t open, though I suppose it was designed that way. The onsen was absolutely wonderful — spacious, relaxing, and with a beautiful view of a mountain river. Definitely one of the highlights of my stay. The hotel also offers many different areas for leisure and entertainment. You can play table tennis, relax in cozy rest zones, visit small cafés and shops — there’s a lot to explore without even leaving the building. Both breakfast and dinner were delicious, with a wide variety of food to choose from. However, due to the number of guests, it was a bit challenging for the staff to manage everything smoothly. On two occasions, someone almost took my table, even though I had already placed the reservation card on it to show it was taken. That said, the staff overall were very pleasant, friendly, and helpful, and I appreciated their attitude throughout my stay. This hotel is clearly family-oriented, with many families staying with young children. There are rooms with child-friendly designs and dedicated play areas, so if you’re looking for a quiet, adult-only atmosphere, this might not be the best fit. That said, I genuinely enjoyed my stay and would consider coming back.

We had a wonderful stay at Taoya and would absolutely recommend it for families. The location is fantastic — it’s close to a beautiful old Japanese village, which made it easy to combine relaxation with a bit of cultural exploration. The area was also stroller-friendly, which made walking around with our 1-year-old very convenient and stress-free. The outdoor onsen was beautiful and very relaxing, especially surrounded by nature. What made it perfect for us was the availability of a private onsen — this allowed our 1-year-old to join us, which made the experience extra special as parents. The all-inclusive concept is fantastic. The food was really, really good — excellent quality, great variety, and beautifully presented. Every meal felt like a highlight of the stay. We only saw one other foreign family during our stay, so it felt authentic and local while still being welcoming and comfortable. Overall, a great place for families looking for a relaxing onsen experience with outstanding food and a convenient location. We would definitely come back.