Koishiya Ryokan

The room is wonderful, the location excellent, the key to the onsens great, the extra onsen trips great and the transport really a life saver.

The cafeteria was a little plain; the staircases are very very steep and small so a bit dangerous with big bags/older folks/children

Great location and very friendly plus helpful staff! We were a group of 6 altogether in two different rooms; all staff were very very fluent in English which helped our group (Aussies) Great location in Shibu Onsen. Restaurant downstairs can fit a big group (we booked for 8 at short notice). Very good vibe in the accomodation. I stuffed my ankle snowboarding and one of the staff noticed then gave me an ice pack to help the swelling! Building is well kept for a 100 year old ryokan. The coffee from the restaurant was pretty good, ordered this most mornings. An old converted bathing room was used as the dry room for snow gear which worked out well. Reception is decorated very well, a very warm and friendly vibe.

Room could be a bit small for four people with snow gear, however, a good amount of space if you don’t have ski gear (board bags). Only had two showers but waiting for a shower was never an issue. Likewise with the male toilets.

Good location on the main street where the public baths are located. There is a cafe onsite if you do not prefer to go out. My twin bedded room was quite spacious, and the beds are quite comfy - a nice change after sleeping on futons for days.

Check in time is 4pm - very much later than the other hotels I stayed in Nagano. - no flexibility. Same goes for the station pick up and drop off, unlike most of the other hotels in Yudanaka, which are quite flexible. As others have mentioned, it is very easy to make some noise when you are moving around in the room - the floor boards creak and there's noise when you close the door, so I have to be extra careful when moving around the room. The room does not have natural light.

It was a traditional Ryokan right in the heart of the 9 public onsens. The room & futon set up were comfortable. The staff were very kind.

We booked this property because we were informed that there was a free ski shuttle to Ryuoo from train station. Shuttle had ended the week before & it was going to cost $100 in taxis to get to/from. Certainly not the Ryokan’s fault but I would think they’d be in ‘the know’ for their guests. We had to forfeit our 2nd night (no refund) as it was pouring rain, we’d seen the monkeys, done the 9 baths & there wouldn’t have been much to do with my 14 year old son now that skiing was a bust. We only had 9 nights in Japan. The only other comments were that the communal bathrooms were cold (the building is 100+ years old) & we had to set up our own futons.

We were seeking an authentic experience of Japanese baths and staying in a Japanese Inn in a traditional style room and property. We were not disappointed. Authentic Inn with a warm welcome (within check in hours). We were delighted by our room which was traditional Japanese style with futons that you prepare yourself. Toilets and showers are shared separately. We liked the fact that it was lights out and no noise from 10pm due to the house being made from wood and being over 100 years old. This is not a modern house recreation, it is an authentic inn and has some simple upgrades but not brand new. We were somewhat surprised by the "western" additions to the breakfast and dinner menus but were pleasantly surprised by the Japanese options. The highlight was using the various public Onsen that the residents of the inn have the keys to access freely. The in supplies all garments and footwear to go from hot bath to hot bath. Really wonderful glimpse into authentic Onsen village life.

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It’s set in a traditional onsen town, so if you are there for a more traditional ryokan/onsen experience, it is fabulous! It’s also a short bus ride and hike to the snow monkey park, which is amazing to see. There are 9 public onsens to try, and the scenery is gorgeous. Our staff was very accommodating, and offered both.a private onsen slot as well as shuttle to the nearest train station included with advance reservation.

We are not used to traditional futons, and this was an adjustment. The room was otherwise very tidy and comfortable, similar to more Western hotel room sizes in Japan (which is still on the small size compared to American hotels).

A wonderful ryokan in Shibu onsen, which is so close to the 9 public onsens. Shoes, robes and towels provided for this. The room was a great size and heaters in the room for when it got cold. Shared bathroom facilities were good and the Japanese style breakfast was very tasty. The staff were very friendly and the drop off at the station after check out was very helpful. Great communication with the ryokan before arrival. The staff recommended places to eat - it’s a small, quiet village and not everything was open (due to the ski season having just finished). We didn’t eat at the hotel because their restaurant is closed on Tuesday evenings. Would recommend!

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We live in Japan so are very used to the casual ryokans. Great deal on a spacious room. Heating in the room area was more than adequate. Very cozy in the room!! Wonderful location near all the 9 public onsens, plus you can book a special private one. Lovely, hardworking young staff. Very cheerful and helpful! We were picked up and dropped off at train station plus dropped off at Monkey Park. They indicated a very nice alternate route back that was a serene, lovely walk. Dinner at the restaurant was sooooo good!! The miso-marinated chicken was so tender and the fresh salad and marinated onions/mushrooms. Yummmm. Lots of Western-style options if you don't always want to eat Japanese. Local wine and craft beer. The whole main road has several other options. We dined at a very fine French place across the way. Need to book ahead! Super fun weekend!!

You just need to be open to a very local adventure and not expect anything deluxe like the stereotypical fancy ryokans. Not a criticism but just to let folks know that this is a very old place where the hallways and bathrooms are cold in the winter. You can hear a lot of ambient noise so bring ear plugs. We don't commonly sleep on the floor with buckwheat pillows but find it can be very comfortable if you let it. ;) Separate facilities on each floor, not in room. It's very DIY as in get your own tea water and use common refrigerator and microwave, etc. But if you go downstairs to casual bar/restaurant, they will serve you!

The Staff was amazing those girls did a great job. And they did literally everything checking in, driving, and helping with the restaurant. They worked very hard and I appreciate them answering all of my questions. Thank you.

I knew what I booked I just think we had been traveling in Japan for two weeks and my body was done so the steps killed me. I loved the traditional old building but it maybe needs a little bit updating. I wish there was a woman’s toilet on every floor and the door to use it would slam so loud. The restaurant was definitely overpriced for not a lot of food. But it was definitely a cool experience having the option to onsen for free in traditional robes was very cool. Definitely something this westerner has never done before so I appreciated that and of course those snow monkies!

Great location, in house restaurant for breakfast and dinner, traditional Japanese Ryokan. Despite being a tatami mat with futons, the bedding was extremely comfortable. Free bus pick up from train station as well as free bus drop off to Snow Monkey park. Staff were very helpful and provided lots of information about what to do and how to do it. Shared bathroom facilities were quite basic but OK. The bonus is the key to the public onsens, all 9 of them.

Breakfast and Dinner menus were limited, but better than nothing. Eating out for dinner in Shibu Onsen was very difficult as there are not a lot of restaurants.