Hotel Yamabuki
9/10 Exceptional - Based on 149 reviews
Hotel Yamabuki sits on the foothills of the Central Alps near Komagane and presents the feel of a traditional ryokan while operating as a full-service hotel. Its hot spring source is an alkaline simple spring (pH 9.1), often described locally as a "beauty bath"; guests can use indoor public baths and an open-air rotenburo, and several room types include private hinoki wood baths. The property markets itself as a ryokan with onsen in Nagano, combining tatami guest rooms and Western comforts across multiple room styles.
Evening meals are presented as multi-course kaiseki served in small private irori dining rooms or individual dining spaces; menus emphasise seasonal ingredients sourced from the surrounding mountains and valleys. Public areas include a lounge, a coffee corner and practical amenities such as free on-site parking and an electric-vehicle charging point. The hotel operates a reservation-only shuttle from Komagane Station and is a short drive from the Komagane interchange, making the property accessible for guests arriving by train or car.
Outdoor activities centre on the Central Alps: the Komagatake Ropeway gives direct access to high-elevation hiking trails and the Senjojiki Cirque, while nearby ski slopes and cycling routes provide year-round options. After active days the baths and the hotel's calm communal spaces offer a restorative finish; staff can arrange local excursions and recommend seasonal highlights such as alpine flower walks, autumn foliage drives and regional distillery visits. The mix of traditional rooms, onsen facilities and locally focused dining makes the property suitable for couples, families and travellers seeking a measured countryside ryokan experience.
Highlights of this ryokan
Detailed Ratings
Points of interest nearby
Review summary for: Hotel Yamabuki
Positive Reviews
Friendly, attentive staff
Numerous reviews praise the staff as warm, helpful and professional — offering welcome services such as late‑arrival greetings, shuttle assistance and personal touches that made stays comfortable and memorable.
Excellent onsen (hot spring)
Guests repeatedly highlight the public hot baths as beautiful, clean and relaxing, with good bath products; the onsen is cited as a main reason people loved their stay.
Delicious, abundant Japanese meals
Many guests enjoyed the traditional kaiseki dinners and breakfast — described as delicious, plentiful and beautifully presented, with some dinners served privately and options adjusted on request.
Great location and mountain views
The property is well placed for outdoor activities (ropeway, shrine, hiking, river) and many rooms offer impressive views of the surrounding mountain range, enhancing the ryokan experience.
Authentic, clean traditional ryokan experience
Reviewers appreciated the traditional atmosphere (yukata/samue), privacy and high cleanliness; several noted the property feels new or well maintained and provides an authentic Japanese inn experience.
Negative Reviews
Road noise and dark streets at night
Some guests reported hearing passing cars from rooms and commented that the street in front of the hotel is very dark at night, affecting quiet and perceived safety.
Small rooms and limited/private bathroom facilities
A number of reviews mention compact guest rooms or small en‑suite bathrooms; some room types have no private bathroom, requiring use of public showers, which was not always clearly emphasized.
Harsh lighting and hot/small dining rooms
A few guests found the in‑room lighting harsh, and noted small private dining rooms could become very hot when open flames were used during dinner.
Missing small comforts
Several comments pointed out minor comfort issues such as uncomfortable pillows and the absence of a bedside lamp in some rooms.
Limited nearby amenities and transport access
Guests warned there are few cafes/restaurants close by in winter and that the hotel is a fair distance from the train station, so taxis or buses (or hotel shuttle) are typically needed to reach the property.
Frequently Asked Questions
Rooms range from twin/Western types to Japanese-style rooms with futons for families; some rooms can sleep up to seven guests and family/quadruple options are available—please contact the hotel for exact bedding setups.
Yes — the property has an alkaline simple hot spring (pH 9.1) with indoor and outdoor baths, a sauna and a herb sauna; some rooms also feature private hinoki (cypress) baths.
The hotel offers free shuttle service to/from Komagane Station by reservation (pick-up roughly 14:00–17:00, return roughly 08:00–10:00); airport transfers are not standard and should be arranged separately.
Check-in starts at 15:00 (latest arrival typically around 21:00) and check-out is by 10:00.
Staff are known for helpful service and can assist in basic English, but Japanese is the primary language; contact the hotel in advance if you need stronger English support.
The hotel serves multi-course kaiseki dinners in private dining rooms (often around an irori hearth) and a traditional Japanese breakfast, with menus focused on local Shinshu ingredients.
Nearby highlights include the Komagane Ropeway (access to Senjojiki), Kozen-ji temple, Komagane Kogen ski area, and local hiking and cycling routes; the front desk can help with directions and local advice.
There is free on-site parking and the hotel is about a 5-minute drive from Komagane IC; the train option is Komagane Station with the hotel shuttle (reservation required) about 5 minutes away.
Some rooms have private baths and day-use bathing options may be available by reservation; pets are generally not accepted—please confirm with the hotel before booking.
Yes — convenience stores and local shops are available in Komagane within a short drive; the front desk can give precise directions and timings.