Properties with Onsen in Shimojo mura

It is a wonderful Onsen hotel in the heart of Nagano. The people working there a wonderful, helpful, the politeness is beyond every standard, even for Japan. Thank you very much for the wonderful time we had, the high level breakfast and dinner, perfect support of the staff, and the Relaxing and quiet Rooms with the outside private onsen.

This is a quaint and beautiful property in stargazing village Aichi. If you arrive before 5pm you can have welcome drinks at the lobby. The dinner is unique with Salmon and Horsemeat Sashimi, coal BBQ with scallops, Unagi, prawns, fish, shabu shabu sukiyaki style with marbled wagyu beef that is thinly sliced (melts in your mouth) and lots of fresh vegetables. The sesame tofu with jellified soup was unique. We enjoyed the dinner very much - extremely generous portions - they made the salmon corn rice dish into onigiris so we could pack back to the room because we could not finish. There is a small and very clean onsen in the hotel, the girls and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. The hotel room had Japanese style robes that you could wear for dinner and throughout the hotel. It was very comfortable and an enjoyable experience. Breakfast was again impressive. Western style breakfast was sliced potato gratin with sausages and tomato or garlic ranch sauce served with 3 types of bread with margarine and apple jam (white, wheat and tomato bun). The bread was served warm. The Japanese style breakfast came with a bucket of warm Japanese fluffy rice, and a basket of condiments like seaweed, preserved vegetables and plums, lotus, scrambled eggs. There was some hot soup and tea that you can pour over rice. They also served us freshly hand ground coffee and some matcha. The kids had apple juice. At 9pm there is a complimentary stargazing opportunity - Hama-san was very friendly, showing us the different constellations and setting up the telescope to show us the moon and Saturn with its rings. The night we were there 8 Sep 9pm there was a super full bright moon, so it outshone the stars. Despite that we still saw Vega, Ursa Major and Scheat a star in Pegasus (a red giant). When I woke up in the middle of the night to use the washroom - I saw Orion’s Belt and Sirius in Canis Major. The kids enjoyed the glamping room, which had up to 6 beds.

Room spacious and well-equipped. The beautiful garden view was soothing and refreshing. The gentleman at the reception was very helpful and polite. He tried his very best to answer our every question and helped arranging our stargazing night tour efficiently. Breakfast was good.

Everything about this ryokan is exceptional. Elegant, personal and heartwarming. The service is probably the best I've experienced in Japan; it's personalised, helpful and friendly, without feeling overbearing. The food is absolutely amazing and the dining experience feels like you're being transported to a traditional, authentic Japan, which is a rare thing for modern ryokans to achieve. The onsen is also outstanding; the water quality, the facilities, the cleanliness, the atmosphere. Highly recommended!

shuttle service to and from train station Lida There was a great selection of food staff Nishinko Mahashita was very helpful and spoke English reasonably well (not sure of spelling his name )

Food is perfect, staff is kindness and helpful, nice and clean

Excellent hospitality, elaborate dinner, great place to spend a quiet weekend.