4-Star Hotels in Nagano Prefecture, Japan

A perfect experience! A forest resort with an absolutely stunning environment! A well-deserved summer retreat! The hotel is surrounded by woods, quiet and incredibly therapeutic. Hot springs, a swimming pool, and a gym are all available, and the children's playroom is a major plus – it's the top choice for family trips. While the breakfast variety isn't huge and there are bound to be some small insects outdoors in the summer, these minor issues are completely acceptable in such a natural setting. The service is excellent, the rooms are clean, and the overall value for money is superb. I'll definitely be back!

Located in the heart of Shibu Onsen, Kokuya is a traditional Japanese inn that has been operating for over 400 years. It's the only inn in the area with its own six different 100% natural hot spring baths, featuring eight public baths and ten rooms with open-air hot springs. It has been passed down through 16 generations. Furthermore, the central area of ​​Shibu Onsen boasts a 1300-year-old hot spring town with nine public onsen (hot spring baths) for hotel guests and residents. The ninth onsen is the largest, featuring a golden bath and a sauna. Next to it is a hot spring shrine and foot bath, right next to Kokuya. Kokuya's hot springs are rich in minerals, beneficial for improving muscle, joint, and skin problems. A free shuttle bus (approximately 3km) takes guests to Jigokudani (Hell Valley) to see snow monkeys and enjoy the hot springs. A free shuttle bus connects to the train station, and freshly cooked onsen eggs (100 yen each) are available at the inn's entrance. The hotel boasts a clean and elegant interior with maze-like corridors and wooden staircases. There are dedicated luggage handlers (three floors in total), creating a perfect setting for a period drama, reminiscent of Yubaba's old house in Spirited Away… The hotel also offers traditional Japanese kaiseki dinners with over nine dishes. Ingredients are freshly delivered from Nagano. The menu changes monthly according to the season. Vegetarian options are also available (please inform us in advance). All guest rooms are designed in a traditional Japanese style, featuring Japanese-style bedding and a bathroom with a sink, TV, safe, refrigerator, towels, and yukata. Ten guest rooms have private outdoor baths. The hotel is surrounded by several temples of varying sizes and different springs nestled in the mountains. The water temperatures of these springs vary, with the highest reaching 56°C. Municipal water supplies are provided to each household. Several bridges connect the two sides of the river in front, including a red-painted bridge that resembles a scene from Spirited Away. I suspect that Miyazaki Toshiro may have drawn inspiration from this place… A very nice hotel and hot springs; the staff are polite and attentive.

We stayed in a cabin in Karuizawa for 4 nights with our little southerner (a playful internet slang for travelers from southern China). The main goal was to let the kids (and myself) experience a true autumn cabin vibe since they had never seen autumn red leaves before. We got to see the foliage and collect chestnuts! **On the smell:** Absolutely no musty odor! Upon walking in, there was a lovely natural pine wood scent—just like a cabin we stayed in previously in Hangzhou. After the first night, we got used to it and felt extremely comfortable. **Room and Details:** The room is very spacious. We requested a family-friendly setup in advance, and when we checked in, the beds had already been pushed together, complete with a bed guard and a stepping stool for the bathroom. At the end of October, outdoor temperatures dropped to 4–5°C at night, but the indoor heating was fantastic (23–25°C), keeping us super cozy. After the kids fell asleep, I could relax in the living room with a small drink while scrolling on my phone (there's a FamilyMart right next to the hotel lobby). The only minor drawback is that the cabin isn't ideal for very tall people; the living room beams are a bit low, so anyone over 1.8 meters needs to watch their head when walking by. **Location and Transportation:** Very close to the West Wing lobby, just a few minutes' walk. The Chinese-speaking receptionist was exceptionally kind and even told us we could call for a shuttle if pushing the stroller was inconvenient. However, we mostly strolled around with the stroller to enjoy the scenery. **Traveling with Kids:** There are chestnut trees right outside the entrance of the West Wing lobby, and the kids had a blast gathering chestnuts. The hotel is super close to the outlet mall, making it convenient to walk or take the shuttle bus. We flexibly planned our 4 days based on the weather: on sunny days, we visited the hotel's ”Asobi no Mori” (Forest of Play), Yukawa Park, and Yazaki Park; on rainy days, we headed straight to the outlet and the indoor kids' playground. The hotel breakfast was hearty and varied enough that we didn't get tired of it over 4 days. The whole family was thoroughly satisfied!

We spent 2 nights in Prince after first 2 nights in Kusatsu onsen town. The hotel looked underwhelming on arrival and the front office service was efficient but cursory compared to the warm hospitality we had in the ryokan stay. It was low season and hotel was very quiet and had a ”cold” atmosphere. I was further disappointed when we were shown our room which was on the lowest floor with a simple garden view. On requesting the check-in staff for a change of room on higher floor and a more scenic view, I was told there is an upgrade charge, which I accepted. The new room was the same size and configuration but on a higher floor with a nice view of Mt Asama. While I was happy to pay the fee, I can't help but compare their practice with all the hotels that I have stayed in all these years, where room changes were complimentary so long as the room type remains the same. Nevertheless, the hotel's facilities delighted me immensely and I enjoyed the overall experience. The highlight of the hotel stay was the fantastic view of Asama in a high ceiling dining room with full glass window. We were able to have different table seatings for both morning breakfast as the hotel occupancy was low, which gave us different perspectives of the scenery. The other highlight of the hotel is the onsen facility which is located in a separate building on higher ground, accessible via a self service automated tram. Aside from Asama view in the outdoor onsens, there is a common lounge which has equally awesome view of Asama. We enjoyed our time soaking in onsen and resting in the lounge. Was I would go back to Prince Asama and experience the scenery during a different season!

Loved the natural onsen, soothing a lot after a long trip. Cozy room with comfortable bed though the area only 20sq.m, good for single or couple. A bit distance from train station but close to bus station and there is small mall nearby with good food and souvenir shop. Matsumoto is a nice and lovely place to visit and rest. Visit their Art museum and see the collection gallery of Yayoi Kusama.

Stayed here several times before, and this visit felt noticeably different. One positive change is that the lounge has been relocated from the lobby to the third floor, making the space feel much more open and comfortable, without guests having to crowd together. However, the shortened meal service times were disappointing. Reducing breakfast hours is understandable, but shortening dinner service by an additional 30 minutes to only 90 minutes made the experience feel rushed. Given the size of the dining area and the number of guests, collecting food itself takes time. More importantly, one of the reasons people choose to visit Nagano is to enjoy a slower and more relaxed atmosphere. With only 90 minutes allocated for dinner, there is hardly enough time to comfortably enjoy the meal itself, let alone finish with coffee and dessert. I understand that rising operating costs may require adjustments, and I appreciate the hotel’s efforts to manage within budget. However, as group tourism increases, maintaining the experience expected by individual travelers becomes increasingly important. Unfortunately, this time it felt that both the dining quality and the dining time had been reduced simultaneously, and the decline in quality was noticeable. Overall, I still appreciate the improvements to the common areas, but I hope the hotel can reconsider how to balance operational efficiency with the quality of the guest experience.

Continuing the excellent service and warm hospitality of the Tokyu chain, the front desk team is fluent in English, Japanese, and Mandarin. They are extremely language-friendly, and their service makes you feel right at home! The relaxing mountain views from the lobby windows are wonderful and soothing. The breakfast is delicious and plentiful, and the overall experience in the private hot spring rooms is fantastic. I will definitely stay here again given the chance!

I stayed in a twin room on September 1, 2025. It was very busy with tourists, and the front desk was congested. The food buffet was more about quantity than quality, so I ended up overeating. I could hear the movement of guests on the floor above me and the sound of water leaking from the drain pipes. Water was leaking from the floor of the unit bathroom. The toilet was child-sized, and the hot water was a little hot, but I would definitely stay here again.

Really enjoyed this onsen hotel. They offer a free shuttle service from Tsumago-juku, which felt like a five-star luxury. The room was incredibly spacious, easily accommodating three or four people – almost felt a bit extravagant! The large dining room offered a wide variety of delicious food and drinks. The hot springs were also very relaxing, and all the services provided were excellent. I'll definitely bring my friends here next time to share the experience!

Right at Nagano Station! There's a connecting passage on the second floor of the hotel that leads directly to Nagano Station. The location is excellent! The hotel has a luxurious feel, reminiscent of an economic boom. The room was standard, quite spacious. The facilities weren't brand new, but they weren't uncomfortably old either. The room was generally clean and comfortable. The hotel breakfast was decent, with a good variety of options. If you plan to spend your days exploring the mountains and returning on the same day without staying overnight, this hotel is highly recommended!