Kidoike Onsen Hotel
7/10 Very good - Based on 1 reviews
Kidoike Onsen Hotel sits on the shores of Kido Pond in the high plateau of Shiga Kogen, offering a quiet mountain setting and direct views across marsh and forest. Founded as "Shiga Hutte" roughly eighty-five years ago and repeatedly refurbished since, the property functions today as a compact mountain ryokan with onsen in Shiga Kogen where the seasonal landscape — snow-blanketed winters, lush green summers and vivid autumn colours — frames rooms and communal spaces. Its siting makes it a convenient base for nearby lifts and trails, with the Yokote area ski facilities a short shuttle or drive away and local hiking routes departing from nearby trailheads.
Accommodation comprises a mix of Japanese-style rooms with tatami and futon and Western-style rooms with beds; room allocation can vary by booking and guests may be assigned a room type on arrival. The onsen facilities draw from natural hot-spring sources that are blended to a bathing temperature before filling the tubs and are offered as public baths rather than private in-room springs. On-site services include two dining rooms serving seasonal Japanese and some Western dishes, a small shop, coin laundry and ski-storage and rental arrangements in winter; basic conveniences such as on-site parking and complimentary Wi‑Fi are available, and meal service often requires advance notice.
The hotel programmes a modest range of outdoor and family-friendly activities: boat outings and a supervised lakeside area in the green season, organised no-preparation BBQs by reservation, and easy access to regional sights including the highland ski network and a famous monkey park within driving distance, so it functions well as a practical base for year-round exploration. Practical notes: late arrivals should be announced in advance, some shared bathing areas may restrict visible tattoos, and staff maintain a hospitality-focused, low-key service style that suits groups, families and independent travellers looking for a straightforward ryokan with onsen in Nagano.
Highlights of this ryokan
Detailed Ratings
Points of interest nearby
Review summary for: Kidoike Onsen Hotel
Positive Reviews
Convenient, scenic location
The ryokan is very well located and easy to enjoy in all seasons; the guest specifically mentioned enjoying the autumn foliage the next day.
Attentive staff
Front desk and dining staff showed thoughtful, attentive service which left a good impression on the guest.
Spacious rooms
Guest noted the rooms were large and comfortable, providing a roomy stay.
Large, relaxing baths
The bathing area is spacious and the tubs are deep, allowing for a relaxed onsen experience.
Overall relaxing atmosphere
The combination of location, staff care, roomy accommodation and good baths contributed to a calm, enjoyable stay.
Negative Reviews
Cluttered lobby and service areas
The front desk, lobby and shop had packaging materials and items stowed untidily in corners, which detracted from the hotel’s first impression.
Facilities listed but unusable
The brochure mentions a ping-pong table, but it was not available for use and needs repair.
Poor upkeep and maintenance checks
Daily checks appear insufficient; aging equipment and small issues were not addressed, affecting comfort.
Plumbing problem in men's washroom
A sink on the left side of the men's wash area was clogged and draining poorly, indicating localized maintenance issues.
Dissatisfaction with meal quality
While the portions were filling, the guest was unhappy with the food quality—specifically noting that the final served white rice was not good.
Frequently Asked Questions
Rooms range from single/2-person configurations to family-style rooms that accommodate up to about 5–6 guests; some rooms have beds while others use tatami and futons.
The onsen is a 100% source-flowing spring fed from two different wells and is blended without added water or heating; the public bath is available 24 hours except during cleaning.
The property primarily lists public large baths rather than dedicated private onsen; please contact the front desk in advance to ask about any private-use options.
Visible tattoos can lead to refusal of access to the public baths; guests with tattoos should check with the hotel before using the onsen.
The hotel does not operate a regular shuttle service; most guests reach the hotel by express bus from Nagano (to Kidoike bus stop) or by private car.
The nearest regional airport is Matsumoto Airport (approximately 120 km); many guests travel via Nagano Station on the Hokuriku Shinkansen and then take a bus to Kidoike.
Staff primarily speak Japanese; English support is limited, so notify the hotel in advance if you need assistance in English.
The hotel fronts Kidoike lake with on-site boating and nature trails and serves as a base for Shiga Kogen ski areas; Jigokudani Monkey Park and other regional attractions are within driving distance.
Check-in begins at 15:00 and check-out is by 10:00; guests expected after 18:00 should inform the hotel in advance.
Pets are not permitted; the hotel has two on-site restaurants serving local Japanese and European dishes (meal reservations are recommended), and there is no supermarket on the property—ask the front desk for nearby shops.