Nothing wrong with the place at all.

Most friendly hosts. Amazing breakfast. Room was better than I could have imagined. Everything about this place was a delight.

Stayed in September 2024

There are communal bathrooms which didn’t bother us at all, but may not suit some travellers. We really couldn’t fault this ryokan, it was a wonderful experience all round!

Akira and his family were the perfect hosts! We loved every minute of our stay here. The rooms were spacious and beautifully furnished. The breakfasts and dinner were plentiful and delicious. We couldn’t believe how many exquisite dishes kept coming out, along with a delicious green tea. On a rainy day the grandma of their family was concerned we would be bored, so she offered to dress us in kimonos for a fraction of the price in the cities. The onsen was gorgeous and the town was lovely to stroll around. Akira kindly drove us to visit the snow monkeys and to the train station. It felt like we had an authentic Japanese experience.

Stayed in September 2024

I wasn’t used to sleeping on a futon so I found it quite uncomfortable, but that’s because I’m not used to this style of bed! It is all part of the experience!

Akira is a fabulous host, he is so friendly and welcoming it really made the stay special. He even drove us to the station which was incredibly kind of him! The traditional Japanese breakfast was lovely too. I liked that the onsen was private and you could reserve it when you want to use it (good for first time users).

Stayed in September 2024

Great location, spacious & clean rooms, wonderful staff!

Stayed in August 2024

If I could rate them with 1000 I would. This place was an absolute gem of our travel. It is wonderful traditional Riocan with beautiful rooms, extremely clean and all together very original and magical. Nature around is beautiful and it is walking distance to snow monkeys national park. There are many restaurants and small shops near. You can book private onsens free of additional charge as many times a day as you want. Food was absolutely exceptional, they made a favor for us and made me vegetarian breakfast that was really delicious and definitely best breakfast I ate during our whole trip. The best part of the whole stay was Akira and his family, they were so nice to us, drove us near to snow monkeys free of charge, talked to us about various things in Japan and introduced us to culture of onsens. They gave us in the end even a little gift that was made by Akiras mother. It was by far BEST experience in Japan and if you shouldn't miss something visiting Japan than it is visit to this wonderful Riokan and this wonderful family.

Stayed in June 2024

We had a great stay with wonderful hosts. From the beginning we felt very welcomed. It is possible to use the Onsen privately by reserving a time slot. Can highly recommend this amazing place.

Stayed in August 2024

Loved everything

Beautiful and comfortable room, private on appointments, great location for exploring the area, especially the snow monkeys!

Stayed in July 2024

Familiar Hostal, Akira-san y Yumi-san (the family that owns the ryokan) were extremely kind and helpful. They even drive me by car to the train station in a rainy day. Dinner and breakfast was very delicious, specially the dinner so I definitely recommend to give it a try. The onsen is nice and private (you need to appoint in a time slot before) so it doesn’t have any issues with tattoo. During my long journey through Japan I visited a lot of onsen and ryokans, and personally I think this was the best ryokan that I stayed. Totally recommended.

Stayed in May 2024

It is a beautiful traditional inn - with fantastic hosts and a private onsen.

Stayed in July 2024

Yumi and Akira were supremely nice, courteous, helpful, and as a bonus spoke English! They made our stay very easy by helping us with our bags, driving us to the monkey park, and making sure we had a ride to the station. Our hosts even took the time to learn our names and set us a postcard after our stay, so sweet! Additionally, the onsen was piping hot, great for couples, and very relaxing. The room was enormous, had ac and a fridge, as well as large windows where you could hear the water traveling along the street. If we lived in Tokyo we would come here regularly. It was very easy to travel to as well as afforable. Everyone should be staying here.

Stayed in June 2024

Only thing that may be isolated to my room, but there was an air ventilation machine (I think) outside the window that wasn’t able to be filtered with noise cancellation, but it was mellow enough of a sound to become ambient noise to me. (If you’re debating on booking, do it! Best experience I’ve had!)

To start of Akira was one of the sweetest hosts I’ve ever met. Very personable and so accommodating as well. Yumi was also very kind and helped set up the delicious breakfast I had in the morning. The beds are comfy, there is plenty of space in the room and the private reservation-based onsen was really comfortable as someone who is trying an onsen for the first time. They provided tea and a red bean cake as a welcome treat in the room and there are drinks in the mini-fridge that are available for a low extra cost as well. There is good ac and heaters for all seasons and a yukata and all towels + shampoo and body wash are provided. Slippers, optional to wear from the front door, are also provided. Akira offers a free ride to the iconic snow monkey park nearby as well! I already want to go back for another stay to bring friends and family to have them experience this hotel. Truly one of the highlights to my solo trip!

Stayed in June 2024

Nothing

The kindness and hospitality of the host. Akira was super helpful and caring during my stay. He helped out in everything I need, even helped me to call to see if there's any instant film around. I ordered dinner which is not in my plan, food was well prepared and tasted fresh and yummy. The next day Akira drove me to the Monkey park, after that he went to pick fresh bamboo shoots from the mountain, which is the fresh food I ate the other night. Last but the most helpful mama, she so strong and kind, picked me up from the monkey park and helped caught the train back to town. Overall a perfect stay here and one of my best memories in this trip.

Stayed in June 2024

The only thing to be aware of is that this ryokan is not one of the ones that provides a key to the public onsen in Shibu Onsen. But there are two private onsen in the place, and of course the rest of this charming town is right there.

The staff was amazing! Akira-san was so helpful. He gave us a ride to and from the train station to the Ryokan, and also to the Snow Monkey Park and back. The whole family was very kind, friendly and generous, despite our very limited Japanese. The room and the private onsen were both extremely comfortable, and the breakfast was delicious.

Stayed in July 2024

That we were only there 1 night. Wish we stayed longer.

Alkira and Yumi were wonderful hosts with nothing too much trouble. The room was fabulous. Comfy futons and all facilities. Immaculately clean. The onsen baths were amazing. We had dinner and breakfast which were magnificent, served in an elegant dinning room. Yumi is a marvellous chef. Alkira drove us to the Snow Monkeys Park and to the station the next morning. We only stayed 1 night. Wish we'd stayed longer. We will be back

Stayed in May 2024

Amazing traditional breakfast! Nice location, walking distance to Snow Monkey park

Stayed in May 2024

We stayed at many ryokans on our trip. None came close to Yamazakiya. The host family are friendly beyond belief, always smiling, always helpful. We got a free pick-up from the train, drop-off to the train and round trip to the snow monkey park. The place is cute, we had a huge room with fluffy, comfy tatami beds and a sitting area. Everyone got yukatas to wear around the house. It's a small place with two private onsens and we were easily able to book both for an hour for our group of four, giving us the chance to try two different rooms. We had messaged ahead to book dinner (good English spoken), a vegetarian option was no problem and my, what a treat we got. It must have been 10+ little courses, fine dining at its best. All around, highly, highly recommended! If you enter through the front door, don't forget to take a stroll out the back door - it leads straight onto the village's main street, filled with many cute, ancient houses. A few weeks after coming home, we had a hand-written thank-you card from Yudanaka Onsen in the mail. How sweet is that? Seriously, 10/10 and absolutely unbeatable hospitality.

Stayed in April 2024

Stayed here 5/31 and it’s a family run ryokan. Lovely owner and his family were attentive and so helpful. The dinner and breakfast were cooked in house and were absolutely delicious. The owner was so kind to drive us to drop us off at the train station when we checked out. He also mailed over a pair of glasses I had left in the room. Amazing family run property.

Stayed in June 2024

The best introduction to Japan was provided by this stay on our first night. Host, Akira, and his family are the greatest ambassadors for Japan with their easygoing, helpful, polite, and super respectful hospitality. I can not speak highly enough of the service provided from the meals to the intimate onsen to providing transport around town. Akira is a true gentleman with great English and a pleasure to have encountered in my life.

Stayed in May 2024

The owner was so lovely and accommodating. He clearly explained everything to us and dropped us off at both the Monkey Park and Train Station on our departure. It was great that we could book the private onsen. The owner also gave us the key to the public onsen which is just across the road.

Stayed in May 2024

Akira and Yumi are both extremely nice and lovely hosts . Akira picked us up at train station and delivered us back after our three night stay . He also dropped us at Snow Monkey park where we saw so many Macaques, many females either newly born babies . The Japanese breakfasts are amazing, so delish! The onsen is very nice and can be used privately which I did every day. I can highly recommend this property . Walking around Yamanouchi was so nice too, a beautiful little town in the Japanese mountains.

Stayed in May 2024

Very neat, traditional ryokan. Breakfast was delicious. Host was helpful and even gave us a ride to the station. Onsen can be used privately with the reservation.

Stayed in April 2024

Coming from four days of skiing in Hakuba, we were very much looking forward to a restful stay at Yamazakiya. Our overall experience was exceptional and definitely exceeded our expectations. Situated perfectly within the dreamy village, the location is perfect for accessing all the town has to offer, including the famous Snow Monkey Park. The service provided by Akira and his family was fabulous, they went above and beyond to ensure our stay was comfortable and enjoyable. Akira even went to the extent to provide transport to and from Yudanaka Station and to the Snow Monkey Park. The room itself provided a traditional Japanese stay and was very cosy, given the heavy snow during our stay. To top it off, the included breakfast was delightful and the onsen was very relaxing and clean. Would not hesitate to stay here again and recommend!

Stayed in March 2024

Such a lovely and special stay! Only wish we had more time. Thank you Akira and family ♥️

Stayed in April 2024

Magical location, super kind and helpful people, my room was a dream with a fantastic view over the river and mountains. Even though it's not directly in Shibu Onsen and you therefore don't have access to the onsens there, the private Onsen in Yamazakiya Ryokan was beautiful and so peaceful. Their breakfast was a great experience too. I'd highly recommend and look forward to coming back another time.

Stayed in April 2024