Shibu Onsen Sakaeya

One of the best experiences of our life. The staff and service really made it wonderful. I will absolutely be coming back.

Good stay at the hotel

The area around the property was absolutely beautiful and charming - but maybe because of the time of year we visited (1/06-1/08), very few places were open, despite their signs claiming what their hours of operation were. Even when we found a restaurant that was open at 6pm for dinner, multiple restaurants turned us away because we have a six year old daughter and they didn't accept kids. It was pretty upsetting to my daughter, but the area was absolutely beautiful.

This is my 3rd time in Nagano and this is the best place I’ve stayed! Staff are super friendly and really accommodating. The monkey park is so close and you can take a shuttle from the hotel to the park, if reservations are full they even call you a taxi. 10/10 stay

We came here last year and came back with our son this year. The area offers several fun things such as Monkey mountain and street public bathing. Sakaeya's service is very nice. It offers you nice yukata, sandals and basket to walk and hop in many unique baths. The dinner and breakfast are also amazing and we enjoyed out stay very much. Hope to come back again here.

Shibu Onsen Sakaeya is an unforgettable gem nestled in the heart of Japan's charming onsen town. From the moment I arrived, I was embraced by the warmth and hospitality of the staff, who made my stay exceptional. The ryokan's traditional atmosphere, with its beautifully preserved wooden interiors and serene ambiance, immediately put me at ease. However, what truly set Sakaeya apart was the personal touch of the staff, especially Runa, whose kindness and grace left a lasting impression on me. Her attentive service, warm smile, and genuine desire to make my stay comfortable made me feel like an honored guest. Whether it was offering local insights, ensuring I enjoyed the full onsen experience, or simply sharing kind words, Runa’s presence elevated my time there. She embodied the spirit of Japanese hospitality, making each interaction a memorable one. The onsen itself was a peaceful retreat, with soothing waters and a relaxing environment that perfectly complemented the traditional ryokan experience. I left Shibu Onsen Sakaeya not only refreshed but deeply moved by the kindness of its people, particularly Runa. If you're seeking a place that marries beauty, tranquility, and heartfelt service, Sakaeya is the perfect destination.

This was our first ryokan experience and we couldn’t have been more impressed. The staff were fantastic, the kaiseki dinner and breakfast were incredible and our room, with a private Onsen, was stunning. The area around the hotel is so picturesque. We had a great time exploring the streets, in our provided yukata, trying all the public onsen. We will certainly be back to Shibu Onsen

This was our first time in a Ryokan! And we loved it!! We enjoyed wearing the Kimonos provided and having a multi course dinner! They were also able to provide vegetarian options for dinner as well. The onsen at the hotel was much larger and nicer than the free ones outside the hotel. There is a toilet in the room but no shower, so you have to use the public bath to shower.

Very nice property. Staff very friendly abd helpful. Very clean. Traditional baths are very nice.

Excellent ryokan, women's public bath was never more than 2 people but the private bath with sauna is worth booking..book ASAP as spots fill up. Meals are amazing, though the first night menu was preferred by far. The staff is very kind, but their support is limited so make sure to do your research if you're looking to visit snow monkeys or venture outside of the town. They aren't as up to date local bus schedules, etc.

This was our first time staying at a ryokan and it was a fantastic experience. The staff were so welcoming, the rooms clean & tidy and the food deserved at least 1 Michelin star! Would highly recommend.

We loved our stay at this Ryokan with an amazing hot spring bath for guest use. It was a traditional Japanese inn with all of the special touches to experience the local Japanese customs. The room was very nice and comfortable, and the staff were super friendly and helpful. This was a great place to stay to visit the snow monkey park nearby and can be reached easily by train and then a short bus ride. We highly recommend this Ryokan for your stay.

Authentic , great snow monkeys

Service here was amazing. Staff came to greet us at the car and made us feel special throughout our stay. We paid for a room with our own private onsen as we have tattoos and have not managed to visit an onsen after 4 trips to japan. It was well worth the money. Several staff members spoke to us in English. Food was spectacular. We have stayed in dozens of hotels around the world, and this was definitely our favourite of them all.

We loved the yukatas, helpful staff, bright umbrellas to use in the rain, amazing breakfast and soothing onsen.

We chose this hotel for its location in the middle of the village, within a reasonable walkable distance from the station and to the Monkey park. The staff were absolutely lovely and the traditional Japanese breakfast and evening meal were superb. Our room was a really large traditional Japanese style bedroom with futons on the floor. It also had plenty of storage space. We had a private toilet, but it didn’t have a shower or bath. However, the hotel’s own Onsen was so close it made using it preferable to using a shower. This was our first experience of using an onsen and it made it our preference whenever available elsewhere. It also had a room where you could sit and paint or have coffee. The monkeys at the park were so much fun that we were there for hours.

The hotel is a traditional Japanese Ryokan with rooms complete with Japanese decor, tea and futon type beds. The whole hotel’s ambiance was very zen and taste fully decorated. There is even relaxing music playing in your room when you check in. The hotel has its’ own hot spring/bath. There is no private shower in the rooms, which may bother some westerners but did not bother us. You also have access to the 9 public baths throughout town when staying here. All in all lovely stay but staff speak very limited English so be ready with your phrase book or try to learn some Japanese before you go.

Staff is very friendly with good service. Room is quite big. Ametities is goos. Dinner and Breakfast are delicious.

A comfortable inn with friendly staff. Some English spoken. Stayed for two nights and the meals very delicious. Close to Snow Monkeys and a short taxi ride from station. Would stay here next time without hesitation.

My partner and I spent Christmas Eve at this Ryokan, and it was probably the best night of our trip. The dinner was incredible, the baths were pristine and beautiful, the staff incredibly accommodating. Japanese hospitality at its finest. Seriously, book this one.