Konashi No Yu Sasaya
9,3/10 Exceptional - Based on 14 reviews
Konashi No Yu Sasaya sits in the birch woods of Shirahone Onsen at the foot of the Northern Alps, operating as a small, nine-room ryokan with onsen in Matsumoto that centers on its source-flowing, milky sulfur hot springs. The property combines traditional wooden architecture and a few relocated old houses, with tatami rooms that open onto mountain and forest views. Guests can use gender-separated indoor baths and a separate reservable open-air bath, allowing a brief private soak in the region’s characteristic mineral water.
Accommodation ranges from compact, authentic Japanese-style rooms to larger Japanese–Western suites; room amenities typically include yukata, toiletries, bidet toilets and tea-making facilities. Meals follow a seasonal kaiseki approach built around Shinshu ingredients, and the inn is noted for using its drinkable spring water in creative preparations such as onsen shabu‑shabu and gentle rice porridges. Service emphasizes discreet hospitality, private dining where requested, and simple communal spaces for resting after a soak.
Practical details that matter to visitors: the inn operates on a small scale with limited rooms and an emphasis on unhurried stays, and private open-air bath bookings are managed on arrival and allotted on a first-come, first-served basis so early check-in can help secure a preferred slot. The surrounding highland roads and local buses link to Matsumoto and nearby national parks, making the property a quiet, convenient choice for travelers seeking a ryokan with private onsen in Nagano and a restful base for exploring the Northern Alps area.
Highlights of this ryokan
Detailed Ratings
Points of interest nearby
Review summary for: Konashi No Yu Sasaya
Positive Reviews
High-quality onsen (hot springs)
Multiple guests praised the onsen as excellent, healing and very relaxing — both the public baths and the onsen atmosphere were highlighted as a main attraction.
Private/reserved baths available and comfortable
Guests appreciated the private (reserved) baths — scenic, peaceful and included without extra charge in at least one review — offering a quiet, comfortable soaking experience.
Friendly, attentive staff
Several reviews mentioned staff were polite, helpful and provided good service, contributing to a pleasant stay and strong sense of hospitality.
Excellent meals / thoughtful dining
Food and meal presentation received clear praise; reviewers described the cuisine as sincere and of high quality, an important highlight of the stay.
Quiet, private setting and authentic Japanese experience
Reviewers noted the ryokan is peaceful and set in nature, offering privacy and a traditional Japanese stay (rooms with architectural value and a classic one-night two-meal ryokan experience).
Negative Reviews
Tattoo policy restricts use of public baths
Guests with tattoos cannot use the public baths and must use private onsen; this was inconvenient for some, especially because some shower products were only available in the public bathing area.
Rooms often have no en‑suite bathroom or toiletries
At least one reviewer noted rooms lacked a private bathroom and that shower gels/soaps were available only in the public bath area, requiring tattooed guests to plan around this limitation.
Price considered high by some guests
One reviewer felt the experience was enjoyable but too expensive and that a single visit was enough, indicating perceived value may be an issue for some travelers.
Limited public transport convenience
A reviewer reported bus schedules did not align well with check‑in/check‑out times and recommended self-driving; access by public transport can be inconvenient for some guests.
Frequently Asked Questions
Rooms are traditional Japanese-style with futon bedding and typically accommodate 2–4 guests depending on the room type; extra beds and cots are not available.
The ryokan offers source-fed hot spring baths including a public bath, open-air baths, and reservable private outdoor baths; the spring is the local milky-white (sulfur) type typical of Shirahone Onsen.
Yes — private (kashikiri) outdoor baths can be reserved for guests and are operated separately from the public bath; check availability with the property when you book.
There is no regular airport shuttle; the nearest airport is Matsumoto (about 44 km). Many guests arrive by car (free on-site parking) or by train to Shinshimashima followed by the local bus to the Shirahone Onsen area.
Take JR to Matsumoto, then the Matsumoto Electric Railway to Shinshimashima and the bus toward Shirahone Onsen (the bus leg is roughly one hour); taxis are also an option from Shinshimashima.
Check-in is between 15:00 and 17:00 and check-out between 07:00 and 10:00; entry to the property is closed overnight between 22:00 and 05:30, so please inform the ryokan of your expected arrival time in advance.
Staff primarily speak Japanese and English ability can be limited; provide arrival details in advance and consider bringing printed directions or a translation app for smoother communication.
The ryokan serves Japanese-style meals using local, seasonal ingredients; many plans include an Asian-style breakfast and some offer a multi-course dinner—confirm meal inclusions when you book.
Pets are not permitted on the property; the ryokan welcomes children of all ages but does not provide cots or extra beds, so check room occupancy rules when reserving.
The ryokan is a good base for outdoor attractions: Mount Norikura is nearby (around 7 km), Kamikochi is about 18 km away, and Matsumoto Castle is reachable by car or public transport (roughly 40–45 km).