We tried the traditional room, sleeping on the mats. It was fine for me, but my husband would have preferred a regular bed, so if you have someone that has back issues or may need more comfort, you may want to consider the regular beds. However, they also provide extra blankets so you can layer them on the mats to have more cushion.

The staff was helpful and pleasant. The food was great considering it is a traditional Japanese meal. We were a group of Asians and Caucasian Americans, with not everyone used to eating traditional Japanese food, but everyone enjoyed the meals. There was plenty to eat, and it was fun to discover what was next. I strongly recommended adding the meat option to round off your meal.

Stayed in April 2024

Great location, they collected us from the train station, and dropped us up to snow monkey park and collected us. Dropped us back to the train station when we were leaving

Stayed in March 2024

Nothing

Stayed in March 2024

Private onsen was free which was great, but looked like it needed a good scrub clean and the ceiling was mouldy.

Friendly very helpful and welcoming hosts. Loved the spacious room, very comfortable beds. Dinner and breakfast were very enjoyable with my vegetarian diet easily accommodated.

Stayed in February 2024

Great location ,great room , great food

Stayed in February 2024

Perfect location. Wonderful staff and lovely Japanese food.

Stayed in February 2024

Nothing

The room was big and the view of the river and mountains were great. The garden overlooking the onsen looked magical in the snow. The staff was wonderful and very accommodating. They provided transport to and from Yudanaka station and Snow monkey park. Even did a small detour to a scenic spot for some photos. Totally enjoyed the highly traditional Japanese dinner and breakfast. The late night walk in the town after the onsen bath was magical.

Stayed in December 2023

Not very flexible but I understand why.

The hotel is beautiful, in a great location for the onsens. The food is amazing, very traditional style, it was a real experience!

Stayed in December 2023

Great location, staff, facilities

Stayed in January 2024

Wi-Fi signal was a little low on the top floor.

Beautiful hotel and room. Exceptional service. Free drinks after onsen is an amazing perk. Free shuttles were great.

Stayed in December 2023

nothing

The room is clean and spacious, with great view of river in the front. it felt relaxing and tranquil. The staff is nice and friendly, really helpful. we are suprised to find someone who is able to speak chinese in this town. The meal offered is beyond expectation, super delicious.

Stayed in December 2023

Nothing at all

The hosts of the property were totally amazing at looking after us. Beautiful family. Beautiful location and hotel. Loved the private onsen will definitely visit again

Stayed in December 2023

Amazing experience! Exceptional stuff, wonderful dinner and breakfast ceremonies. One of the highlights of our trip to Japan!

Stayed in November 2023

- Nothing

+ Great location in the spa district and near the monkey park. + Free shuttle service to and from the local station and to and from the monkey park. + Very friendly and helpful staff. + Great room (we had a Japanese style room). + Wonderful food (Kaiseki) + Lovely spa facilities (incl. outside onsen)

Stayed in November 2023

Nothing!

Traditional setting with modern amenities. Great meals!

Stayed in September 2023

Nothing

Everything, to begin with Yamada San our shuttle driver and tourist guide . Then to the amazing couple slightly elderly that ran the hotel to the young Nepalese staff that explained everything in English . The bedroom and private onsen were wonderful . But nothing prepares you for the utterly out of this world dinner that awaits you from the way you are served to the beautiful exquisite and so so delicious food . Breakfast was again exceptional. Shibu onsen town / village has such charm and the public onsens are perfectly quaint and boiling hot and scrupulously clean . Top top hotel from facility to staff to food

Stayed in October 2023

Very welcoming and well-run place, great location, comfortable room with river view, excellent Japanese-style breakfast and dinner (need to order in advance). Free shuttle from/to the train station and Snow Monkey Park.

Stayed in March 2023

nothing, we couldn’t fault it at all.

This is a lovely hotel in a great location, but what really made our stay fabulous and memorable was the staff. The owner, Yamada Akiyoshi san was thoughtful and went out of his way to show us the mountains which we really appreciated - thank you. All the staff we met were good humoured, attentive and very patient with our poor attempts at Japanese. Nothing seemed too much trouble. This has been one of our favourite hotels in Japan! If you are new to staying in a traditional Japanese hotel, this would be an excellent place to start. The food is wonderful - we enjoyed a full Kaiseki dinner and breakfast which were very tasty. There are really clear explanations of everything- including how to wear the different items of clothing and how to use the 9 traditional bath houses in town. even if you only have one night, come and stay!

Stayed in April 2023

Onsen facilities. Too old and need urgent improvements.

Excellent services rendered by staff. Diners and breakfast were excellent. Onsen facilities need improvement. Too old and need upgrading urgently.

Stayed in April 2023

The price for the time we booked was a little high, but the service made up for this.

Staff were excellent, facilities were excellent, room was excellent, beds were comfortable, location was excellent, service was exceptional, from being picked up and dropped off at the train station or the snow monkey park, nothing was too much trouble. We were always greeted polite and friendly manner by all staff.

Stayed in April 2023

No issues at all

The private onsen was very pleasant and allowed couples to bath together unlike the public baths. The location was very convenient for access to the public onsen also with numbers 1 and 2 only 100 meters or so away. The Japanese breakfast and dinner included with the room was excellent with very attentive and personal service.

Stayed in April 2023

Although it’s a great experience I just don’t think is justifies the hefty price tag. Bathroom very dated and you need to stand in bath for shower which is oddly located outside the bath.

very authentic Japanese. You are provided with authentic dress for dinner. Dinner is 100% the best part of the stay. A private onsen also available to book (2000 yen) so you can share with a partner. Very close to monkey park and you get a free shuttle to and from monkey parks and local train station. Couple of small free drinks in mini bar.

Stayed in April 2023

It was all good

Very nice people. We left our backpack in the lobby and walked a mile to the train, a shuttle was available but we wanted to walk. We were sitting on the train and saw the owner of Shibu on the platform with our backpack. How nice of him.

Stayed in March 2023

some parts were a little run down but still very good.

it was clean, the staff were very helpful and service was excellent. and the food exceptional.

Stayed in March 2023