Top Hotels in Shimotakai-gun Minshukus
Top Things to do in Shimotakai-gun
Top 10 Minshukus in Shimotakai-gun, Japan
Discover the best Minshukus in Shimotakai-gun, Nagano Prefecture, Koshinetsu, Chubu including Nozaru Hostel, Azegamikan, Nozaru Hostel, Minshuku Miyama, Land Haus Azegami, Oyado Uemasa, Miyasakaya, Hatoguruma Kawabata, Fujiyoshi, Minshuku Genroku.
Things to do in Shimotakai-gun
1. Nozaru Hostel
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 44 reviews
~ From Tokyo or Osaka: Take a train (Shinkansen) or bus (Willer,...) to Nagano City, from there get on the train heading to Yudanaka and stop at Yudanaka Station. ~ From there, take the bus for Kanbayashi or Shigakogen from Yudanaka station (Nagano dentetsu line) and get off at Shibuwagobashi bus stop (about 7min). The bus stop is located in front of the bridge (Shibuwagobashi) along the Yokoyu river. The hostel is just 2 minutes walk away at this point. Walk up the stream a little, take the first left (just opposite to the bridge), go straight and turn right at the second corner, from there walk straight up and you will see Nozaru hostel (four-storied building: the old name is Komatsuya-ryokan) just before the Onsen temple.
CHEAPEST IN TOWN. NICE HOOD. BIG ROOMS. ONSEN INCLUDED. "CLOSE" TO THE MONKEYS.
Reviewed By ExithamsterWe booked Nozaru Hostel because it was the cheapest (around 40€) in the area AND one of the closest stays to the Snow Monkeys. Which doesn't mean next door. You still either need to walk 45 mins or take a bus and walk 25 mins to reach the entrance of the park. The bus (no.1) ride from the station to Nozaru Hostel takes about 7 minutes and leaves once or twice an hour. You get off at Shibuwagobashi Station and walk 4 mins to the hostel. It is quite a big building with 4 or 5 floors. The overall impression is a bit worn down and with some more dedication you could create a really nice hostel. They have an onsen on the ground floor which is used for the shower as well though it was not very busy. Our room was in the 4th floor and we had a nice view. Unfortunately you couldn't open the windows - they were taped. What we really didn't enjoy so much was the cold temperatures inside the room - especially when you have to turn the heater on every 5 minutes. The Japanese style sleep on the futon was fine though - covered in duvets. And one very positive aspect: It was spacious! Enough space for luggage and chill out sessions on the matress. The receptionist lady who seemed to be the owner spoke very good English and was helpful with everything we needed. It is just a pity that they don't put more effort into this place as it is perfectly located in the onsen street. We are not picky but in this case it is hard to rate "very good" or "excellent".
2. Azegamikan
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 13 reviews
Totally recommend
Reviewed By leob258This ryokan style hotel has been recently refurbished. Its warm, comfortable and the staff are super friendly. You have ti walk up the mountain a bit to get to it, but it such a practical location to stay at, you are closer to the yu road. The ogawa open air hot spring is near by, restaurants close. Bars down the hill a bit and free parking. Id recommend the room 203, one of the larger rooms, with tv, toilet ,plenty of room up to 6 or 7 people to sleep on mattresses. And the view is spectacular. This hotel does have drying room for gear, and plenty of room to leave gear.restaurant is excellent for dinner and breakfast. The hotel is on 3 or 4 floors, with no lift. Staff are top
3. Nozaru Hostel
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 44 reviews
~ From Tokyo or Osaka: Take a train (Shinkansen) or bus (Willer,...) to Nagano City, from there get on the train heading to Yudanaka and stop at Yudanaka Station. ~ From there, take the bus for Kanbayashi or Shigakogen from Yudanaka station (Nagano dentetsu line) and get off at Shibuwagobashi bus stop (about 7min). The bus stop is located in front of the bridge (Shibuwagobashi) along the Yokoyu river. The hostel is just 2 minutes walk away at this point. Walk up the stream a little, take the first left (just opposite to the bridge), go straight and turn right at the second corner, from there walk straight up and you will see Nozaru hostel (four-storied building: the old name is Komatsuya-ryokan) just before the Onsen temple.
CHEAPEST IN TOWN. NICE HOOD. BIG ROOMS. ONSEN INCLUDED. "CLOSE" TO THE MONKEYS.
Reviewed By ExithamsterWe booked Nozaru Hostel because it was the cheapest (around 40€) in the area AND one of the closest stays to the Snow Monkeys. Which doesn't mean next door. You still either need to walk 45 mins or take a bus and walk 25 mins to reach the entrance of the park. The bus (no.1) ride from the station to Nozaru Hostel takes about 7 minutes and leaves once or twice an hour. You get off at Shibuwagobashi Station and walk 4 mins to the hostel. It is quite a big building with 4 or 5 floors. The overall impression is a bit worn down and with some more dedication you could create a really nice hostel. They have an onsen on the ground floor which is used for the shower as well though it was not very busy. Our room was in the 4th floor and we had a nice view. Unfortunately you couldn't open the windows - they were taped. What we really didn't enjoy so much was the cold temperatures inside the room - especially when you have to turn the heater on every 5 minutes. The Japanese style sleep on the futon was fine though - covered in duvets. And one very positive aspect: It was spacious! Enough space for luggage and chill out sessions on the matress. The receptionist lady who seemed to be the owner spoke very good English and was helpful with everything we needed. It is just a pity that they don't put more effort into this place as it is perfectly located in the onsen street. We are not picky but in this case it is hard to rate "very good" or "excellent".
4. Minshuku Miyama
Overall Ratings
5 based on 8 reviews
wonderful minshuku run by great couple
Reviewed By fkoshidoI and my husband stayed for 3 days here to visit snow monkey park. This hotel ( minshuku ) is run by great couple . They are helpful to pick us up at yudanaka station and drop us near monkey park. Although Nagano in February was quite cold having snow , the room was very warm and cozy. Because of their hospitality and kindness we had such a wonderful time.
5. Land Haus Azegami
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 22 reviews
Great value and super friendly
Reviewed By johnhE4659AIStayed here for 5 nights as a group of 7. The traditional rooms are very comfortable, plenty of blankets and well heated. The in-house Onsen (with showers) is great and very clean. Breakfasts are wonderful and change every day. But best of all are the team that run the pension, they are super helpful and do anything they can to make your stay the best it can be. Would have no hesitation retuning to stay again. Oh, and the location is excellent for all chairlifts and restaurants and bars in the evening.
6. Oyado Uemasa
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7 reviews
Featuring Japanese-style guest rooms, Oyado Uemasa is located a 3-minute drive from Nozawa Onsen Snow Resort. Free shuttles to the resort are available from a bus stop just a 1-minute walk away. WiFi is provided in the public area free of charge. JR Togari Nozawa Onsen Station is a 15-minute drive from the property. Uemasa Oyado offers luggage/ski storage services and ski equipment rentals to gu
More than just a hotel
Reviewed By rorzvanWe booked this place in hope for some early snow fall which didn’t happen but our disappointment was short lived when we were welcomed by our host. We have been traveling around the world for 3 months now and the hospitality we received here is going to be hard to beat! Rooms are perfect for the Japanese style and everything you need .
7. Miyasakaya
Overall Ratings
4 based on 6 reviews
Nice friendly B and B close to snow and town
Reviewed By mdwaThis is small Minshu (Bed and Breakfast) type place, in an older 2 story japanese style house. Location is fantastic, 30m up the street is Yuzawa shrine and the Yu Road moving walkway to the ski field, 50m down the street is the famous O Yu public onsen and just past that the main shopping/restaurant street. The owner Saeko is very friendly and helpful and speaks english. Although it seemed booked out early on Booking.com there were lots of empty rooms when we were there so may be worth contacting directly. We had the family room which had just enough space for 4 beds on the floor and the heated table. There was no kettle in the room but Saeko provided hot water on request. There is no fridge, but in winter the gap between the window and ricepaper screen worked well to keep stuff cold. Shared toilets and shower facilities are downstairs with bedrooms upstairs. The futon beds were comfy and warm, I was surprised I found the "bag of grains" type pillows quite comfortable. The wifi worked from the room, there was a large drying room in the basement. We only had breakfast once, quite a nice japanese style one. Other days we got something from stores down the street. There was a small open area behind the house which was a highlight for my kids as they could build snowmen and snow forts.
8. Hatoguruma Kawabata
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9 reviews
BEST VEGETARIAN IN NOZAWA ONSEN
Reviewed By Jim BWe stayed at Hatoguruma Kawabata for about a week in early March 2019. We used to live in Japan so have a lot of experience staying at minshukus, ryokans etc. We loved our stay at HK for many reasons (the hospitality of Midori mostly) but the food was incredible. It's pretty hard to find vegetarian options let alone full meals in Japan, especially in the countryside. Each day the food was varied and absolutely delicious. If you've never had Japanese food in Japan, I'd highly recommend HK. The rooms were specious and clean and we'd definitely stay there again next time we're in Nozawa Onsen.
9. Fujiyoshi
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 12 reviews
Unexpected gem
Reviewed By Graham JWe ended up staying after not being able to access any other accommodation due to a public holiday and Chinese New Year. Pleasantly surprised once I got used to the stairs at the end of a days skiing ( that's a reflection on my physical condition rather than the lodge). Had breakfast and dinner in there once only but the meals were excellent. It was a reasonably short walk to the restaurant strip and ski slopes and on the plus side you walk past the craft beer brewery and steamed bun sellers on your way home. The family running the lodge were delightful and very eager to please. I would definitely stay there again.
10. Minshuku Genroku
Overall Ratings
5 based on 7 reviews
すべて和室。 伝統的な日本スタイル。 トイレ・洗面所・シャワー兼風呂 すべて共用。 Covit-19 検温・マスク着用・アルコール消毒・健康チエックなど
Great value place to stay in Japanese style
Reviewed By epicurusmaximus744Before I go any further, it is important that anyone considering staying here accepts the principle that a minshuku has different standards from a western style hotel. On the evening we arrived we received a warm welcome from our hostess Sumiko-san, who makes a valiant attempt to communicate with foreign guests in English. Shoes come off in the hall and house slippers are not worn on the tatami mats of the bedrooms. Bedding is traditional, up to four futons to a room, put away during the day. Segregated toilets and a row of three communal washbasins are scrupulously clean. Bathing is traditional, with segregated hot spring baths and showers in the basement. Dinner is early, no later than 7, but Sumiko puts on an impressive kaiseki spread, which varies every day. Her breakfasts are no less copious, but are strictly Japanese. If you already appreciate, or want to try, the native experience, this is a great place to stay, and represents excellent value in a charming resort town resounding with running water everywhere, and which boasts numerous old public onsen, most with entry free of charge.
