Hot Springs Hotels in Nagano Prefecture, Japan

Genuinely the favorite hotel I’ve ever stayed at in Japan. The overall level of comfort is exceptional. The room is a good size, everything is well maintained and fully functional, and the baths are fantastic. There are also so many complimentary services and thoughtful little details throughout the hotel that really make the stay special. The food is decent, although not the highlight for me. What I really loved is that this place feels genuinely Japanese and is clearly popular with locals. During our stay, we only saw one or two Western tourists. It doesn’t feel like a typical tourist-oriented hotel at all. If you want to experience a truly authentic Japanese onsen hotel, don’t miss this place. Highly recommended.

A perfect experience! A forest resort with an absolutely stunning environment! A well-deserved summer retreat! The hotel is surrounded by woods, quiet and incredibly therapeutic. Hot springs, a swimming pool, and a gym are all available, and the children's playroom is a major plus – it's the top choice for family trips. While the breakfast variety isn't huge and there are bound to be some small insects outdoors in the summer, these minor issues are completely acceptable in such a natural setting. The service is excellent, the rooms are clean, and the overall value for money is superb. I'll definitely be back!

A very good and affordable guesthouse to stay at at Sawando gate so you can have early access to Kamikochi. Hosts were very kind and sweet, we had a great dinner prepared by them and they had a very comfortable Onsen for you to use. Free parking also is available for you when you stay there overnight. Highly recommend this place.

Located in the heart of Shibu Onsen, Kokuya is a traditional Japanese inn that has been operating for over 400 years. It's the only inn in the area with its own six different 100% natural hot spring baths, featuring eight public baths and ten rooms with open-air hot springs. It has been passed down through 16 generations. Furthermore, the central area of ​​Shibu Onsen boasts a 1300-year-old hot spring town with nine public onsen (hot spring baths) for hotel guests and residents. The ninth onsen is the largest, featuring a golden bath and a sauna. Next to it is a hot spring shrine and foot bath, right next to Kokuya. Kokuya's hot springs are rich in minerals, beneficial for improving muscle, joint, and skin problems. A free shuttle bus (approximately 3km) takes guests to Jigokudani (Hell Valley) to see snow monkeys and enjoy the hot springs. A free shuttle bus connects to the train station, and freshly cooked onsen eggs (100 yen each) are available at the inn's entrance. The hotel boasts a clean and elegant interior with maze-like corridors and wooden staircases. There are dedicated luggage handlers (three floors in total), creating a perfect setting for a period drama, reminiscent of Yubaba's old house in Spirited Away… The hotel also offers traditional Japanese kaiseki dinners with over nine dishes. Ingredients are freshly delivered from Nagano. The menu changes monthly according to the season. Vegetarian options are also available (please inform us in advance). All guest rooms are designed in a traditional Japanese style, featuring Japanese-style bedding and a bathroom with a sink, TV, safe, refrigerator, towels, and yukata. Ten guest rooms have private outdoor baths. The hotel is surrounded by several temples of varying sizes and different springs nestled in the mountains. The water temperatures of these springs vary, with the highest reaching 56°C. Municipal water supplies are provided to each household. Several bridges connect the two sides of the river in front, including a red-painted bridge that resembles a scene from Spirited Away. I suspect that Miyazaki Toshiro may have drawn inspiration from this place… A very nice hotel and hot springs; the staff are polite and attentive.

I had a wonderful stay at Amagawaso in Shibu Onsen. The ryokan is run by an elderly couple who don’t speak English, but they were incredibly sweet and welcoming. With the help of Google Translate, communication was easy enough and actually added to the charm of the experience. They provided yukata and geta for exploring the town, as well as the key that gives access to the nine public onsens in Shibu — an amazing and unique experience. On top of that, the ryokan offers a free 40-minute private onsen session, which was a lovely touch. Our room was very spacious, and shortly after we arrived, the hostess came in to prepare complimentary matcha tea for us. She also gifted us steamed buns filled with red bean paste, which felt incredibly thoughtful. The location is also very convenient for visiting the Snow Monkey Park, making it an excellent base for exploring the area. Overall, the hospitality was genuine, the onsen experience was fantastic, and the atmosphere felt authentically traditional. Highly recommend staying here if you’re visiting Shibu Onsen or planning a trip to see the snow monkeys.

📍 Hotel Keigetsu 信州昼神温泉郷 日長庵 桂月 @ Hirugami Onsen, Nagano 🇯🇵 We stayed 3D2N from 13 November 2025 at Hotel Keigetsu (日長庵 桂月), and it turned out to be one of the best choices for our Nakasendo trip. The ryokan sits in a peaceful corner of Hirugami Onsen, surrounded by nature and traditional Japanese charm. There is a designated parking area exclusively for guests, accommodating around 15-20 cars of all sizes, making it very convenient for self-drive travellers. We chose a Japanese-style room with a private bathroom, and the highlight was the beautiful wooden bathtub — perfect for a relaxing soak in complete privacy. In the mornings, the view from our room was calm and peaceful, with gentle bird chirping adding to the serene atmosphere. Our stay included breakfast and dinner, and both meals were exceptional. Each dish was beautifully prepared using seasonal ingredients, and the servers were patient and friendly, taking time to explain each course and share stories about local flavours. Their warm hospitality truly enhanced the dining experience. The ryokan is within walking distance to the Morning Market, just about 10 minutes away, making it an enjoyable little morning stroll. There is also a FamilyMart right beside the ryokan, just a short walk away — extremely convenient for drinks, snacks, or last-minute essentials during your stay. The staff also introduced several nearby activities and hiking trails, and the routes are super visitor-friendly, making this ryokan an ideal base for exploring the Nakasendo area. The onsen baths were another highlight — soothing, clean, and filled with Hirugami’s famously smooth, skin-friendly hot spring water. Perfect for unwinding every evening. Overall, Hotel Keigetsu offers excellent food, warm service, relaxing onsen, comfortable rooms, and unbeatable convenience, whether you’re here for onsen relaxation or the Nakasendo trail. Highly recommended for a peaceful, authentic, and memorable ryokan stay in Nagano. ♨️🍁🌿✨

I had a large tatami room with side sitting area and sink as well as an ante-room. I had three delicious Japanese meals at the ryokan that were served with polite elegance. The two in-house onsen baths were a joy to use after a day of skiing. The staff was knowledgeable about how to get around by the buses and suggested the best restaurants for days that I did not eat at the ryokan. Senshinkan Matsuya was situated in the center of.Shibu Onsen town next to three of the public onsen. I could not ask for a better stay!

We stayed in a cabin in Karuizawa for 4 nights with our little southerner (a playful internet slang for travelers from southern China). The main goal was to let the kids (and myself) experience a true autumn cabin vibe since they had never seen autumn red leaves before. We got to see the foliage and collect chestnuts! **On the smell:** Absolutely no musty odor! Upon walking in, there was a lovely natural pine wood scent—just like a cabin we stayed in previously in Hangzhou. After the first night, we got used to it and felt extremely comfortable. **Room and Details:** The room is very spacious. We requested a family-friendly setup in advance, and when we checked in, the beds had already been pushed together, complete with a bed guard and a stepping stool for the bathroom. At the end of October, outdoor temperatures dropped to 4–5°C at night, but the indoor heating was fantastic (23–25°C), keeping us super cozy. After the kids fell asleep, I could relax in the living room with a small drink while scrolling on my phone (there's a FamilyMart right next to the hotel lobby). The only minor drawback is that the cabin isn't ideal for very tall people; the living room beams are a bit low, so anyone over 1.8 meters needs to watch their head when walking by. **Location and Transportation:** Very close to the West Wing lobby, just a few minutes' walk. The Chinese-speaking receptionist was exceptionally kind and even told us we could call for a shuttle if pushing the stroller was inconvenient. However, we mostly strolled around with the stroller to enjoy the scenery. **Traveling with Kids:** There are chestnut trees right outside the entrance of the West Wing lobby, and the kids had a blast gathering chestnuts. The hotel is super close to the outlet mall, making it convenient to walk or take the shuttle bus. We flexibly planned our 4 days based on the weather: on sunny days, we visited the hotel's ”Asobi no Mori” (Forest of Play), Yukawa Park, and Yazaki Park; on rainy days, we headed straight to the outlet and the indoor kids' playground. The hotel breakfast was hearty and varied enough that we didn't get tired of it over 4 days. The whole family was thoroughly satisfied!

We spent 2 nights in Prince after first 2 nights in Kusatsu onsen town. The hotel looked underwhelming on arrival and the front office service was efficient but cursory compared to the warm hospitality we had in the ryokan stay. It was low season and hotel was very quiet and had a ”cold” atmosphere. I was further disappointed when we were shown our room which was on the lowest floor with a simple garden view. On requesting the check-in staff for a change of room on higher floor and a more scenic view, I was told there is an upgrade charge, which I accepted. The new room was the same size and configuration but on a higher floor with a nice view of Mt Asama. While I was happy to pay the fee, I can't help but compare their practice with all the hotels that I have stayed in all these years, where room changes were complimentary so long as the room type remains the same. Nevertheless, the hotel's facilities delighted me immensely and I enjoyed the overall experience. The highlight of the hotel stay was the fantastic view of Asama in a high ceiling dining room with full glass window. We were able to have different table seatings for both morning breakfast as the hotel occupancy was low, which gave us different perspectives of the scenery. The other highlight of the hotel is the onsen facility which is located in a separate building on higher ground, accessible via a self service automated tram. Aside from Asama view in the outdoor onsens, there is a common lounge which has equally awesome view of Asama. We enjoyed our time soaking in onsen and resting in the lounge. Was I would go back to Prince Asama and experience the scenery during a different season!

An outstanding value-for-money stay offering an authentic Japanese experience. The food was exceptional, with generous dinner and breakfast spreads featuring more than 10 dishes, plus unlimited rice and soup. The onsen with its unique tatami flooring was a highlight, open throughout the night until 8 a.m. The beautiful riverside scenery, autumn foliage, and charming morning farmers’ market added to the experience. Staff were exceptionally friendly, attentive, and welcoming, and children were welcome. The convenient location and ample parking made the stay even better. Highly recommended for families seeking traditional Japanese hospitality, excellent food, and a memorable onsen experience at an affordable price.