日長庵 桂月
8,5/10 Excellent - Based on 102 reviews
日長庵 桂月 (Keigetsu) is a traditional inn in the Hirugami Onsen area of Nagano, framed by wooded slopes. The property offers 18 guest rooms, including two with semi‑open outdoor baths, and a mix of pure Japanese and Japanese‑Western layouts; all rooms have private bathrooms, air conditioning, electric kettles and flat‑screen TVs. Public areas include a high‑ceilinged lobby, a lounge with drip coffee and a dining pavilion; complimentary Wi‑Fi and on‑site parking are provided. As a ryokan with onsen in Hirugami the house balances traditional design with practical amenities and multilingual front‑desk service.
The inn’s hot spring baths are lined with Koya‑maki cypress and draw from the Hirugami source, an alkaline spring prized for skin‑softening and listed with an alkalinity around pH 9.7. The main baths operate from check‑in until the following morning with scheduled gender rotations and periodic cleaning; the property notes the spring water is used directly with limited circulation for heating. Two guestrooms include private half‑open baths for secluded soaking, offering an option for guests seeking a ryokan with private onsen in Nagano.
Dining follows a seasonal kaiseki approach that highlights nearby mountain produce and selected regional beef, served in dedicated dining rooms or private settings. The inn organizes a guided star‑gazing walk that takes advantage of clear highland skies; banquet rooms and small event facilities accommodate groups. Staff provide arrival assistance, local sightseeing advice and luggage handling, and practical services include a 24‑hour reception, shuttle coordination on request and capacity for small conferences or family gatherings.
Highlights of this ryokan
Detailed Ratings
Points of interest nearby
Review summary for: 日長庵 桂月
Positive Reviews
Excellent onsen (hot spring) experience
Many guests praised the onsen water quality—described as magical, soothing for tired muscles and skin, with both indoor and outdoor baths available and private in-room options for those who prefer privacy.
Outstanding food (kaiseki dinners and breakfast)
Numerous reviews highlight the delicious, plentiful traditional kaiseki dinners and varied breakfasts; presentation and use of local ingredients were repeatedly mentioned as a highlight.
Attentive, helpful and friendly staff
Staff were frequently described as kind, accommodating and experienced—helping with transport arrangements, shuttle pickups after missed buses, special requests, and attentive service during meals.
Comfortable, spacious and clean rooms
Guests reported roomy, typical ryokan-style accommodations with very comfortable beds and clean, cozy rooms that contributed to a relaxing stay.
Unique local experiences and extras
Visitors appreciated extras like star-gazing walks (when weather allows), village festivals (matsuri), access to sister onsen facilities, and the hotel’s assistance with tickets and local recommendations.
Negative Reviews
Limited access and transport
Several guests noted the property is not easy to reach—few buses per day from major hubs—and advised coordinating arrival times or using the hotel shuttle; transport options can be restrictive.
Listing or room-type inconsistencies (and an isolated rude interaction)
At least one guest reported a major mismatch between booking photos/room descriptions and the actual room (expecting a private hot spring bath but receiving a basic bathtub), and described an unhelpful reception interaction; this highlights a risk of booking misunderstandings.
Older facilities and maintenance issues
Some reviews mentioned ageing elements—creaky floors, thin futon/mattress, small or dated bathroom fittings—and occasional smells or signs of wear that make parts of the property feel old-fashioned.
Noise and thin walls
A few guests experienced difficulty sleeping due to noise from neighboring rooms or thin walls, which can affect overnight quiet for sensitive guests.
Limited on-site activities / weather-dependent offerings
The town is very quiet with not much to do nearby; some expected free star tours or gondola rides but found them unavailable (either no clear info, periodic closures, or cancelled because of weather).
Frequently Asked Questions
Rooms range from solo to family sizes: twin and western-style rooms sleep up to 4, standard Japanese rooms up to 5–6, and family room configurations with extra futons cover larger groups.
Yes — the property has alkaline hot springs known locally as a ‘beauty’ onsen; public baths use 100% source water and are open from check‑in until about 9:30 the next morning, with gender rotation in the evening.
Two guest rooms include a private half open‑air hot‑spring bath; guests should contact the ryokan in advance to ask about reservable private baths or room availability.
A free pickup from JR Iida Station is available by prior reservation; the nearest major airport is Chubu (Nagoya), roughly 90–95 km away, with bus or train connections to the area.
The area is served by highway buses from Tokyo (Busta Shinjuku) and Meitetsu buses from Nagoya, with the final leg typically via JR Iida Station and a short taxi or local bus to the ryokan.
Front‑desk and service staff speak Japanese and English; staff are generally helpful to international guests and can assist with basic travel information.
The ryokan serves multi‑course kaiseki dinners using seasonal local produce and an Asian style breakfast; dinner service is usually offered in the evening (roughly 17:30–19:30) and breakfast in the morning.
Standard check‑in starts at 14:00 and check‑out is by 10:00; some plans allow different times and the ryokan asks guests to notify them of late arrivals.
The property has banquet facilities suitable for private groups and events (capacity for large gatherings), and it accepts group bookings — pets are generally not accepted, so please confirm the pet policy with the ryokan before booking.
Achi Shrine is a short walk from the ryokan and Otsumago and other historic sites are within driving distance; on site there is a lounge and souvenir shop (open morning to evening) and staff can advise on supermarkets or larger shops in the nearby town.