Table of Contents
About Nagano
Nagano Prefecture is known as a region where beautiful nature and rich culture harmonize. Home to the Japanese Alps, this prefecture is blessed with majestic mountain landscapes, hot spring resorts, and natural beauty that changes with the four seasons, attracting many visitors from both Japan and abroad.
Nagano Prefecture is also famous for historic landmarks such as Zenkoji Temple, as well as popular tourist destinations like Karuizawa and Kamikochi. Furthermore, the food culture featuring local ingredients, including regional cuisine, wine, and soba noodles, is also highly appealing.
Here we introduce three carefully selected premium hotels for those visiting Nagano Prefecture.
✔ In Short — Our Top Picks
- Rekishi no Yado Kanaguya — Located in the heart of the Shibu Onsen district in Nagano Prefecture, “Rekishi no Yado Kanaguya” is a long-established ryokan founded in 1758.
- Shoraiso — “Shoraiso” is a small ryokan in Yudanaka Onsen, Nagano Prefecture.
- Chosenkaku Kameya — “Chosenkaku Kameya” is a long-established ryokan in Shimosuwa Onsen, next to Suwa Taisha Shimosha Akimiya.
Read on for the appeal, history, and access details of each spot.
3 Select Japanese-Style Ryokan in Nagano Prefecture
Rekishi no Yado Kanaguya
The Appeal of Rekishi no Yado Kanaguya
Located in the heart of the Shibu Onsen district in Nagano Prefecture, “Rekishi no Yado Kanaguya” is a long-established ryokan that has been offering guests an exceptional stay for more than 260 years since its founding in 1758 (Horeki 8). Here we introduce the features of “Rekishi no Yado Kanaguya,” where you can fully savor the charm of traditional Japan while enjoying a truly special experience.
1. Diverse Room Types
“Rekishi no Yado Kanaguya” is a long-established ryokan founded in 1758 (Horeki 8), boasting over 260 years of history. Many of its buildings were constructed in the early Showa period, and traditional Japanese architectural techniques can be felt throughout. In particular, the main building “Saigetsu-ro” is designated as a Nationally Registered Tangible Cultural Property, and its four-story wooden exterior is a precious example of the beauty of Japanese architecture. It is also said to be one of the models for the anime film “Spirited Away,” which is one of the reasons many tourists visit.
2. Abundant Hot Spring Benefits
Kanaguya owns four private hot spring sources, allowing guests to enjoy free-flowing natural hot spring water. Three different spring types can be enjoyed within the inn, which offer excellent benefits for skin beautification, relaxation, and relief from muscle pain and neuralgia. The inn features eight baths (three large baths and five private baths), with the “Roman-buro” (Romantic Bath), a Roman-style tiled bath with stained-glass arched windows completed in 1950, being particularly popular among guests.
3. A Historical Building Tour
Kanaguya offers exclusive building tours for overnight guests, with guides explaining the history and architectural details of the buildings. During this tour, you can learn about the historical background of buildings including Saigetsu-ro, and how Kanaguya has contributed to the local culture. The antique furnishings and decorative items displayed throughout the inn are also among the highlights.
4. Cuisine Made with Local Ingredients
“Rekishi no Yado Kanaguya” serves kaiseki (multi-course Japanese) cuisine centered on Japanese dishes made with seasonal local Nagano ingredients. The dishes featuring fresh Shinshu vegetables, mountain vegetables, and locally caught river fish offer a simple yet deeply flavorful dining experience. During winter, hot pot dishes made with local specialty vegetables are particularly popular, warming both body and soul.
5. Prime Location in the Shibu Onsen District
Kanaguya is located in the Shibu Onsen district of Nagano Prefecture, making it an ideal base for hot spring hopping and strolling. The Shibu Onsen district is charming with its cobblestone streets and traditional buildings, creating a historical atmosphere throughout the entire hot spring town. Guests can also enjoy visiting the local public bath houses (sotoyu), making Kanaguya the perfect base for fully experiencing the region’s attractions.
Access Information for Rekishi no Yado Kanaguya
- Official Website: http://www.kanaguya.com/
- Access: Approximately 10 minutes by Nagaden bus from Yudanaka Station
- Address: 2202 Hiraon, Yamanouchi-machi, Shimotakai-gun, Nagano 381-0401
- Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/GrmvxVvg6NkL67777
Shoraiso
The Appeal of Shoraiso
“Shoraiso” is located in Yudanaka Onsen, Nagano Prefecture, and is known as a healing retreat enveloped in tranquility and nature. Its serene atmosphere and facilities that harmonize the beauty of traditional Japanese architecture have been beloved by many guests.
1. The Ambiance of a Historic Hot Spring Inn
As part of the long-established Yorozuya in Yudanaka Onsen, “Shoraiso” has welcomed many travelers. The former building was destroyed by fire in February 2021, and the inn reopened in March 2024 as a ryokan for just five groups a day. Its distinctive wooden architecture and tranquil spaces allow guests to experience the beauty of Japanese tradition. Among the hot spring district, it holds a hidden gem-like presence, and its historical ambiance is one of its greatest charms.
2. The Rich Hot Springs of Yudanaka Onsen
The fifth-generation proprietor, Mr. Hiroshi Ono, was deeply impressed by the “Tenpyo-buro” bath at Arai Ryokan in Shuzenji, Izu, and built Yorozuya’s grand bath “Momoyama-buro,” incorporating the finest elements of Azuchi-Momoyama period temple architecture. The design was by Mr. Kiyoshi Okitsu, who also designed the Zenkoji Temple ossuary, and the construction was led by local master carpenter Mr. Masanushi Ichikawa. The bath took approximately three years to complete, starting in 1951.
The washing area features Inada stone from Kasama, with a lavish cultural-style design. Additionally, the adjacent garden open-air bath is beautifully crafted in harmony with nature and was completed the year after the Momoyama-buro. The Momoyama-buro was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property of Japan in 2003. Shoraiso guests can use the Momoyama-buro in the Yorozuya main building across the road.
3. Guest Rooms in Harmony with Nature
The guest rooms at “Shoraiso” are designed with a focus on Japanese aesthetics, offering panoramic views of Shinshu’s abundant nature from the windows. Rooms include traditional tatami rooms as well as Japanese-Western and twin-bed rooms, allowing guests to relax in peaceful tranquility. All five rooms are equipped with private open-air baths fed by free-flowing natural hot spring water, enabling guests to enjoy hot springs in a private setting. As of October 2026, children aged 12 and under are not accepted.
4. Savoring the Flavors of Local Shinshu Cuisine
The kaiseki cuisine generously featuring local ingredients is another major attraction of “Shoraiso.” Guests can enjoy seasonal delicacies including Shinshu soba noodles, fresh mountain vegetables, and locally sourced river fish. During winter, special menus featuring Shinshu beef and Shinshu miso are served, earning high praise from many guests.
Access Information for Shoraiso
- Official Website: https://shoraiso.com/
- Access: Approximately 7 minutes on foot from Yudanaka Station
- Address: 3071-1 Hiraon, Yamanouchi-machi, Shimotakai-gun, Nagano 381-0401
- Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/9hY3bq9g9LKRXdJ9A
Chosenkaku Kameya
The Appeal of Chosenkaku Kameya
“Chosenkaku Kameya” is a long-established ryokan situated in Shimosuwa Onsen, long known for its fine hot springs, located in Shimosuwa-machi, Nagano Prefecture. Its tranquil presence and refined hospitality steeped in history are its hallmarks, and it has been beloved by many guests.
1. A Long-Established Ryokan Carrying On the History of a Former Honjin
“Chosenkaku Kameya” occupies part of the former honjin (official inn) of Shimosuwa-juku and has operated as “Kameya” since the Meiji era. Deeply connected with Suwa Taisha Grand Shrine, the inn offers guests a space that evokes the traditions of old Japan. Its “Jodan-no-ma” room once served as the sleeping quarters of Princess Kazunomiya, and from the Meiji era onward the inn was favored by writers such as Toson Shimazaki and Ryunosuke Akutagawa. Throughout the inn, historical furnishings and artworks are displayed, allowing guests to savor an atmosphere that transcends time.
2. The Renowned Waters of Shimosuwa Onsen
Shimosuwa Onsen has long been known for its fine hot springs. “Chosenkaku Kameya” offers simple thermal spring water drawn from sources including the “Wata-no-yu”, renowned for its gentle touch and skin-beautifying effects. The spacious main bath and atmospheric open-air bath allow guests to experience luxurious moments of becoming one with the nature of Shimosuwa. Private baths are also available, enabling guests to enjoy the hot springs in a private setting at their leisure.
3. Elegantly Appointed Guest Rooms
The guest rooms are designed in the sukiya-zukuri style, cherishing Japanese aesthetics, with spacious layouts that provide guests with comfort. Depending on the room, guests can view the garden, the forest of Suwa Taisha, or the townscape. Rooms with private open-air baths are also available, offering the luxury of enjoying hot springs in your own private space.
4. Seasonal Cuisine Featuring Local Ingredients
“Chosenkaku Kameya” serves kaiseki cuisine generously featuring seasonal local Shinshu ingredients. Guests can savor the region’s distinctive flavors, including Shinshu soba noodles, fresh mountain vegetables, river fish, and locally grown produce and fruits. Each dish is carefully prepared and presented with beautiful plating to delight the palates of visitors. A rich selection of local sake and wines is also available, allowing guests to enjoy excellent food-and-drink pairings.
Access Information for Chosenkaku Kameya
- Official Website: https://www.ckameya.com/
- Access: Approximately 13 minutes on foot from Shimosuwa Station
- Address: 3492 Yokomachi Kinoshita, Shimosuwa-machi, Suwa-gun, Nagano 393-0019
- Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/QydSRT7EkNBAXVSZ7
