Itoen Hotel Asamanoyu
7,3/10 Very good - Based on 44 reviews
Itoen Hotel Asamanoyu sits in the Asama Onsen district near Matsumoto and operates as part of a regional hotel group, offering a blend of traditional Japanese rooms and Western-style accommodation across 51 rooms. Guests find straightforward, well-maintained tatami and mixed room layouts, including larger two-room Japanese suites for families. Framed by the town’s hot-spring streets, the property presents itself as a ryokan with onsen in Matsumoto, Nagano, where the focus is on communal bathing, accessible facilities and consistent service rather than boutique luxury.
Bathing facilities occupy the upper floor and include a panorama bath that overlooks the city; the water is an alkaline simple hot spring sourced from Asama Onsen, noted locally for its gentle skin-feel and a traditional association with muscle and joint relief. Public bathing hours cover afternoon and early morning shifts and standard rules apply, including a no-tattoo policy. Onsite dining follows a buffet format with around fifty to sixty choices at breakfast and dinner, and the hotel provides leisure options such as karaoke, table tennis and a small game corner for evening entertainment.
Practical amenities include free Wi‑Fi throughout, free parking and a reservation-required shuttle from Matsumoto Station, making it a convenient base for visiting the city’s attractions and nearby highland scenery. Room inventory ranges from single and twin rooms to larger 8–12 tatami Japanese rooms, suited to couples and families. For travelers searching specifically for a ryokan with onsen Nagano, this property offers dependable hot-spring access, clear bathing schedules and family-oriented facilities that support both short stays and multi-day exploration of the region.
Highlights of this ryokan
Detailed Ratings
Points of interest nearby
Review summary for: Itoen Hotel Asamanoyu
Positive Reviews
Relaxing onsen (hot springs)
Multiple guests highlighted the onsen as a strong point—comfortable baths, good water quality and a pleasant bathing experience; some also appreciated that the male/female baths swap between night and morning.
Buffet food and drinks
Many reviewers praised the dinner and breakfast buffets, noting a wide variety of dishes and that dinner often included all-you-can-drink alcohol, making meals feel generous and good value.
Helpful and friendly staff
Several guests mentioned polite, accommodating staff and smooth handling of requests (for example support/discount processing), contributing positively to their stay.
Good amenities in public baths and rooms
Reviewers appreciated extras like massage machines, body creams and other toiletries in the public bath area, as well as in-room amenities and provided yukata, reducing the need to bring personal items.
Japanese-style rooms and overall atmosphere
Many liked the traditional Japanese-style rooms, yukata and general atmosphere/decor of the property, often describing it as attractive and authentic for a hot-spring stay.
Negative Reviews
Dated building and worn interior
Numerous guests observed that the property is showing its age—old or stained walls, worn tatami and generally dated interior decor that could use refurbishment.
Cleanliness and odor issues in some rooms
Several reviews reported dust on furniture, insects in rooms, musty or cigarette odors (including instances where a non-smoking room smelled of smoke) and occasional moldy smells in unit bathrooms.
Parking and wayfinding problems
Multiple guests found parking inconvenient or poorly explained—parking areas can be distant and instructions unclear, causing frustration on arrival.
Noise, service lapses and signage gaps
Some visitors experienced noisy neighbors or noisy common areas at night, and a few noted lapses in service or communication (e.g., not being guided to available dinner seating, lack of clear directions to rooms/bath/buffet).
Room and facility shortcomings
A range of practical issues were mentioned: rooms without windows causing poor ventilation, slow hot water, shower leaks, limited toiletries/cups for group stays, thin/small towels, missing towel racks and noisy air purifiers—areas where facilities or supplies could be improved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Room types include single and twin Western rooms and Japanese-style rooms with futon layouts that can sleep up to 4–5 people; check the room description at booking to confirm capacity for the specific room you choose.
Yes — the property has a large public onsen (Asama Onsen) with scheduled hours in the evening and early morning; guests with visible tattoos may be refused entry, so check the hotel policy before arrival.
Many guests use local buses or taxis (about 20–25 minutes from JR Matsumoto Station); the hotel notes station shuttle options on some pages, so request and confirm any pick-up in advance.
Matsumoto Airport is roughly 12–16 km away (about 15–20 minutes by car), and the hotel is reachable by local bus or taxi from JR Matsumoto Station in around 20–25 minutes.
Staff can assist with basic English and practical arrangements, but English may be limited; contact the hotel ahead of time for specific requests or directions if you need detailed assistance.
The hotel operates a buffet-style restaurant offering a broad selection of Japanese and international dishes for dinner and breakfast (breakfast hours typically in the early morning); dinner service times may vary by season.
The ryokan sits in the Asama Onsen area and is a short drive from Matsumoto Castle (about 4 km), with the Japan Ukiyo-e Museum and city centre attractions all within easy reach for day trips.
Check-in is generally from mid-afternoon (official information lists around 15:00; some booking pages note 15:30–18:00), and check-out is by 11:00 — inform the hotel of your expected arrival time if you will be late.
Private reservable baths are not prominently listed on the hotel site (ask reception to confirm availability); pets are not accepted, and there are vending machines on site with convenience stores and small local shops within walking distance.
Expect Japanese-style rooms (tatami/futon options), a communal onsen with scenic views, buffet meals, free parking and bike loans, plus vending machines and typical ryokan hospitality for an authentic local stay.