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Shibu Onsen KOKUYA

3.0 star property
3-star spa ryokan near Shiga Kogen Ski Area

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Photo gallery for Shibu Onsen KOKUYA

Public bath
Hair dryer, slippers, electronic bidet, towels
Public bath
Front of property
Hot springs

Reviews

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • Spa
  • Laundry
  • Housekeeping
  • Air conditioning
  • Free WiFi

Explore the area

Map
2200 Hirao, Yamanouchi, Shimotakai-gun, 381-0401
  • Shibu
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Onsen-ji Temple
    ‪5 min walk‬
  • Heiwakannon
    ‪11 min walk‬

Room options

View all photos for Standard Japanese-style Room with Open-Air Bath

Standard Japanese-style Room with Open-Air Bath | Bathroom

Standard Japanese-style Room with Open-Air Bath

  • Sleeps 3
  • 3 Twin Futons

View all photos for Deluxe Japanese-Style Room with Open-Air Bath

Deluxe Japanese-Style Room with Open-Air Bath | Bathroom

Deluxe Japanese-Style Room with Open-Air Bath

  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Large Twin Beds and 2 Twin Futons

View all photos for Superior Japanese-Style Room with Open-Air Bath

Superior Japanese-Style Room with Open-Air Bath | Bathroom

Superior Japanese-Style Room with Open-Air Bath

  • Sleeps 4
  • 4 Twin Futons

View all photos for Standard Japanese-Style Room with Shared Bathroom

Standard Japanese-Style Room with Shared Bathroom

Standard Japanese-Style Room with Shared Bathroom

  • Sleeps 4
  • 4 Twin Futons

About the area

Yamanouchi

In entertainment district.Your stay at this ryokan will put you steps from Shibuyu Bridge and a 5-minute walk from Shibu. Onsen-ji Temple and Sake Storehouse and Museum are also within half a mile (1 km).

What's nearby

  • Shibu - 1 min walk
  • Yudanaka Hot Spring - 17 min walk
  • Shiga Kogen Ski Area - 3 min drive
  • Jigokudani Monkey Park - 5 min drive
  • Ryuoo Ski Park - 19 min drive

Getting around

  • Yudanaka Station - 3 min drive
  • Iiyama Station - 18 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪猿座株式会社 まちノベイト - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪The Farmhouse - ‬19 min walk
  • ‪そば処 やり屋 - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪HAKKO - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪羅臼庵 - ‬2 min drive

About this property

Shibu Onsen KOKUYA

3-star spa ryokan near Shiga Kogen Ski Area
There are 3 restaurants on site. WiFi is free in public spaces. As a guest of Shibu Onsen KOKUYA, you'll find a full-service spa and hot springs. A train station pick-up service and a train station drop-off service are free. Spa services, a vending machine, and multilingual staff are also featured at Shibu Onsen KOKUYA. Limited free parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Smoking is allowed in designated areas at this 3-star Yamanouchi ryokan.

  • 19 guestrooms or units
  • 3 dining venues
  • Karaoke
  • Breakfast available (surcharge)
  • Self-service laundry
  • Front desk (limited hours)
  • Staff is multilingual
  • Storage area for luggage
  • Front-desk safe
  • Concierge
  • Gift shop
  • Onsite shopping
  • Smoking in designated areas
Shibu Onsen KOKUYA offers 19 accommodations with minibars and safes. Each accommodation is individually furnished and decorated. Televisions come with cable channels.

Bathrooms include slippers, toilets with an electronic bidet, and toothbrushes and toothpaste. Guests can surf the web using the complimentary wired and wireless Internet access. Hair dryers, change of towels, and change of bedsheets can be requested. Housekeeping is provided daily.

Guests can indulge in a pampering treatment at the ryokan's full-service spa, 一茶の湯. Services include massages. The spa is equipped with a sauna. The spa is open daily.

Private bath/onsen services include an indoor private onsen (in communal space) and an outdoor private onsen (in communal space). Public bath/onsen services include an indoor mineral hot springs (Japanese-style onsen) and a yukata (Japanese robe). These services feature separate men and women areas. The ryokan bathing area is open 24 hours. There are hot springs on site.

Languages

English, Japanese, Spanish, Thai

Property amenities

Family friendly

  • Laundry facilities
  • Refrigerator

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi and wired Internet
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Free covered self parking on site
  • Free covered valet parking on site
  • Limited onsite parking
  • Free roundtrip train station shuttle

Food and drink

  • Full breakfast available for a fee daily 7:30 AM–8:30 AM: JPY 2200 per person
  • 3 restaurants

Things to do

  • Bicycle rentals
  • Bicycle tour information
  • Full-service spa
  • Hot springs
  • Karaoke
  • Shopping

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • This property does not have elevators
  • Hardwood flooring in public areas
  • Smooth flooring in public areas
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only

Room amenities

Entertainment

  • Cable channels
  • TV

Bedroom

  • Air conditioning (climate-controlled)
  • Heating (climate-controlled)

Bathroom

  • Electronic bidet
  • Hair dryer (on request)
  • Towels
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste

Food and drink

  • Electric kettle
  • Kaiseki meal
  • Minibar
  • Refrigerator

More

  • Electrical adapters/chargers
  • Individually decorated
  • Individually furnished
  • Safe
  • Slippers
  • Tatami (woven mat floors)
  • Tokonoma (alcove)

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: 6:00 PM
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

This property offers transfers from the train station; guests must contact the property with arrival details before travel, using the contact information on the booking confirmation
The front desk is open daily from 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Front desk staffed during limited hours
This property doesn't offer after-hours check-in

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours)

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Cribs (infant beds) are not available.

Property payment types

Important information

Optional extras

The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.

  • Fee for full breakfast: approximately JPY 2200 per person

This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Guests must contact this property in advance to reserve access to the public bathing facility
This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession. Guests must contact this property in advance to reserve access to the public bathing facility. This property accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and JCB International. Cash is not accepted. 

We should mention

  • Reservations are needed for private bath/onsen. For reservations, contact the ryokan before arrival using the contact information on the booking confirmation.
  • Registered guests are the only ones allowed to be in guestrooms.
  • As required by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare, all international visitors must submit their passport number and nationality when registering at any lodging facility (inns, hotels, motels, etc. ). Also, it's required that lodging proprietors photocopy the passports of all registering guests and keep the photocopy on file.
  • Please note that some properties do not permit guests with tattoos to use the onsite public bathing facilities.

Property is also known as

Kokuya Hotel Yamanouchi
Shibu Onsen KOKUYA Inn Yamanouchi
Kokuya Yamanouchi
Kokuya
Shibu Onsen KOKUYA Inn
Shibu Onsen KOKUYA Yamanouchi
Shibu Onsen KOKUYA Ryokan
Shibu Onsen KOKUYA Yamanouchi
Shibu Onsen KOKUYA Ryokan Yamanouchi

Shibu Onsen KOKUYA Reviews

Reviews

9.4

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 68 out of 88 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 15 out of 88 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 3 out of 88 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 88 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 2 out of 88 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

9.6/10

Staff & service

10/10

Amenities

9.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

9.4/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Natalie

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We cannot say enough good things about this property. The staff were incredibly thoughtful, informative, and fun to chat with! We had never stayed in a ryokan before and would recommend KOKUYA to all our friends and family. The food was incredible and we enjoyed the variety of Onsen available just in the hotel (we never made it to the public onsens). They also had a shuttle to the snow monkey park in the morning, and will transport your luggage back to the train station upon departure. We will be back to spend more time in this wonderful place.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Matthew, Tornoto

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Marcus

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

James

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Traditional Japanese Hotel
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sara

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Such a lovely Ryokan, the staff were all so kind and nice. Super friendly! Explained everything so well and offered pick up from a nearby train station and drop off at local monkey park. The baths were all so different and the vibes were really good. Would definitely go again! I'd recommend everyone to go if you want to stay in the area.
Stayed 1 night in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Michelle

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

patricia

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Super helpful staff and they speak English. The customer service was excellent with thorough explanations of the facilities, the meals and the van service to see the snow monkeys the next day (free van service) Great meals (plenty of great food) and the baths were amazing (onsen). You can book the indoors baths twice in a day (heaven!) and I had a private onsen in my room as well. Even when the weather was super cold and rainy, I was able to enjoy and recover from my long trip. I was not able to get out and walk around the property at night since it was very cold outside. Would definitely love to return!
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jacky

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
For my overnight trip to Nagano, my focus had always been to visit Togakushi Shrine for the giant cedar trees and Jigokudani Yaen Koen for the snow monkeys. This meant that I had to find lodging that was within a reasonable drive from both locations as one was west of Nagano and the other east. As I favored more of visiting Jigokudani Yaen Koen when there are lesser crowds, which meant early morning hours when the park just opens (keep in mind it takes 45 minutes to hike up to the park), I decided to go with Shibu Onsen Kukuya, which was comfortably situated in Shibu Onsen a small onsen town that is 10 minutes drive away from the park. My overall experience with this Ryokan style lodging was exceptional as they were easy to get in touch with, responsive with inquiries, English friendly and very accommodating to their guest needs. The food that came with my room reservation (dinner & breakfast) was comparable to fine dining that you would find in luxury hotels and restaurants from larger cities like Tokyo and Kyoto. The private onsens found within the premises as well as within certain rooms offer a very intimate and comfortable experience. As for the staff, they all offered a world class service from the moment they greet you to moment they bid you farewell, I was truly impressed by the attention to detail and professionalism that each staff member shared. Overall, Shibu Onsen Kokuya has exceeded my expectations and has provided me with an enjoyable and memorable experience.

10/10 Excellent

Paul

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
A traditional Japanese hotel. They served breakfast and dinner. Exceptional. Staff very helpful, punctual, and sweet. The resort even has onsens within the hotel that guests can use. There is about ten of them. We used them instead of using the Puplic Onsen which we also had access to. Only issue was my husband is tall and had to duck in many doorways. Also we are in our 60’s and sleeping on the floor on mats was a bit uncomfortable. But definitely worth it. And going to the Snow Monkey Park was just awesome. Shuttle service was available at 9:15am. It is best to go early. Loved this place for traditional Japan hospitality.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Annie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Heather

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This ryokan was an absolute dream. The staff goes above and beyond to make it worth the price. My husband and I got to Nagano station and the only train to get to the ryokan was out of service and we had to take a bus to the snow monkey park with all our luggage and the ryokan used their shuttle to pick us up. They also provide free shuttle service to the snow monkey park in the morning (timed) and free bagging storage. The staff also had amazing English and explained everything the ryokan had to offer as well as helping us with how to get to our next location. Aside from the staff being great, the room we stayed in was amazing (we had the traditional futons, you get to wear traditional yukatas during your stay, and you have access to 6 or so onsens on the premise (you can privately use alone or with your partner/friends/family) and all 9 public onsens in the town. Also, we did the half board and everything we ate was delicious!!!
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

carol

Travelled with partner
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kyle

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Amazing property in Yamanouchi. Staff was very friendly and the rooms were amazing. The open air bath in the room was serene and relaxing. The private hot springs on the property were all great as well.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Randal

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities

10/10 Excellent

Blake

Travelled with family and small children, Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Staff and Manager went out of their way to accomodate our group itinerary, including transportation.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Julie

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We absolutely loved our stay here. Everyone was so lovely and helpful. It was an amazing experience. We’re planning on coming back.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ronald

Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ryan

Travelled with family, Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This property was one of best stays I’ve ever had. The staff were extremely professional and courteous. Food/meals felt authentic and abundant. The onsens offered a more atheistic variety with the added privacy. We cant thank the staff enough for how polite and helpful they truly were!

10/10 Excellent

Sydney

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Boris

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
We stayed at Kokuya for one night. It is a larger Ryokan compared to some of the others we stayed at. The advantage of this place is that they have at least 8 baths within the property that are very different in look and feel (both indoors and outdoors) and can be booked just for your party (so a couple can use a certain bath without having to be separated by gender) - this is free for all guests. They also provide a key to the town's public baths. Very centrally located. There are yukatas in the room. Would definitely stay again.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2020

10/10 Excellent

Jorch001, Lake forest, CA

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It is a nice Ryokan style hotel, hot springs very close to snow monkey park, short train ride to nice sight seeing and cultural sites and great if you want to disconnect from normal day to day life
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2020

10/10 Excellent

Thomas

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2020

2/10 Terrible

Danielle

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Terrible Stay
Very unhappy with our stay. We confirmed 3 times by email that we would be arriving early. We were told we couldn’t check in but that we could leave our bags and get key to local onsens. We showed up and no one was there. Lights out and a sign saying they would open at 3 pm. Then when we did checkin the room was dirty and dated. We paid for 5 futons and got two (one each). Floor was so hard.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2019

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
such great service! the kaiseki meals are also phenomenal. this was our second time at Kokuya and will be back for sure. Note: the property is kind of a maze of stairs, so if you can't handle stairs, this might not be the place for you.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2019