Chitosekan
8,9/10 Excellent - Based on 48 reviews
Chitosekan is a compact, traditional wooden ryokan positioned in the centre of Nozawa Onsen village. Guest rooms follow a classic Japanese layout with tatami floors, sliding screens and futon bedding; room types vary from shared-bath options to those with private bathrooms. The property operates small gender-separated indoor hot-spring baths for guests and retains an intimate, timbered atmosphere through exposed beams and simple, locally sourced furnishings that prioritise authenticity over contemporary luxury finishes.
On-site facilities are practical and straightforward: a dining room offers set-menu Japanese breakfasts and dinners prepared with regional ingredients (meals generally require advance notice), while a communal lounge and tea area provide relaxed spaces to unwind. For winter visitors there is ski storage and a drying room; the ryokan lies a short walk from the Yu Road escalator and nearby ski slopes, and guests have ready access to the village’s public baths, shops and eateries. Free Wi‑Fi is available in public areas and staff assist with local travel arrangements and activity information.
For travellers seeking a classic ryokan with onsen in Nozawa Onsen, Chitosekan delivers a central, personable stay with easy access to mountain transport and village life. Its multi-storey wooden layout means some rooms are reached by steep stairs, so the property best suits guests comfortable with traditional buildings and limited elevator access. As a compact ryokan with onsen in Nagano, it combines practical amenities for skiers and hikers with an intimate, locally rooted hospitality that highlights the town’s hot-spring culture.
Highlights of this ryokan
Detailed Ratings
Points of interest nearby
Review summary for: Chitosekan
Positive Reviews
Excellent central location
Many reviewers praised the ryokan’s location in the heart of Nozawa Onsen—right on the main street, next to public baths, within walking distance of gondolas and bus connections, and convenient for bars, restaurants and the ski area.
Warm, attentive staff and hospitality
Multiple guests highlighted friendly, helpful hosts (the okami/family-run team) who went out of their way to assist with requests, fix small problems and make stays comfortable.
Authentic traditional ryokan atmosphere
Reviewers appreciated the wooden, historic charm and traditional Japanese style—tatami rooms, futons and an overall nostalgic, authentic experience that many described as a highlight of their trip.
In-house onsen and helpful facilities for skiers
The property offers its own onsen (convenient when guests didn’t want to visit public baths) and practical amenities such as a large drying room/area for skis and snowboards, which guests found useful.
Clean, spacious rooms and good traditional breakfast
Guests reported rooms as clean, often spacious and beautifully detailed (some with balconies and water views). Many enjoyed the simple but delicious traditional Japanese breakfast and well-presented meals.
Negative Reviews
Heating and cold in winter
Several guests reported the building is old and can be very cold in winter—heating/air conditioning may be unreliable or limited, and some guests needed extra bedding or portable heaters to stay warm.
Limited or inconvenient parking in winter
During winter the hotel parking can be unavailable, forcing guests to use a paid lot about a 10‑minute walk away (reported ~1,500 yen/night). This made unloading heavy luggage and driving up to the inn difficult or inadvisable for some.
Thin walls and limited privacy/noise between rooms
Because the property is a traditional timber building, noise travels and privacy between rooms can be limited; guests reported hearing footsteps and other noises from adjacent rooms or upper floors.
Steep stairs and accessibility concerns
The ryokan has steep stairs and no easy elevator access to higher floors, which reviewers found tiring after skiing or challenging when carrying heavy luggage.
Some comfort and service caveats (bath temperatures, occasional glitches)
A few reviewers mentioned the onsen and some baths can be very hot (requiring cooling), occasional Wi‑Fi or heating issues that needed staff intervention, and isolated comments about breakfast cost/quality or tableware practices during specific meals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Rooms are traditional Japanese-style with futons; options include rooms for two up to quadruple rooms with four futons and a family room that fits up to five guests—confirm the exact room type when booking.
Yes, Chitosekan has an on-site hot spring/public bath fed from local source springs for guests; bathing hours vary and some public-bath rules (for example tattoo restrictions) may apply.
The property does not advertise a regular airport shuttle; most guests arrive by public bus or train with local buses and taxis available from nearby stations—contact the ryokan if you need assistance arranging transfers.
The nearest regional airport is Shinshu‑Matsumoto (longer drive), while rail access is typically via the Nagano Shinkansen to Iiyama followed by a local bus to Nozawa Onsen.
Staff are described as friendly and able to handle basic English; it’s best to inform the ryokan in advance if you need extra language support or have special requests.
Expect a wooden, tatami‑floored ryokan with yukata provided, traditional breakfasts, communal onsen facilities and a village‑center location that preserves local atmosphere and customs.
Chitosekan sits on Nozawa Onsen’s main street next to the Oyu public bath, within a short walk to gondolas and ski lifts; nearby day-trip options include Jigokudani Monkey Park and regional temples.
The ryokan is ski‑area friendly with ski‑to‑door access or only a few minutes’ walk to the gondolas and Yu‑Road escalator; ski storage and a drying area are available for guests.
Standard times are generally check‑in from around 12:00 and check‑out by 10:00; please notify the property of your expected arrival time through your booking confirmation if you expect to arrive late.
Pets are generally not accepted—please confirm directly with the ryokan; private onsen rentals are not commonly advertised, so request availability in advance; convenience stores and many local restaurants are within a short walk on the main street.