Hishino Onsen Tokiwakan
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Hishino Onsen Tokiwakan sits on a wooded hillside outside Komoro and is best known for its panoramic open-air baths reached by a short cable car ride from the main building. The property combines a large indoor bath complex with new outdoor features, including an infinity-style open-air bathtub, an outdoor sauna and a forest café that extend the bathing and relaxation options. Public hot-spring facilities remain central to the experience, offering mountain views from the terrace baths and a calm, family-friendly atmosphere rather than a private-onsen format.
Guest rooms range from traditional tatami-style layouts to more modern family rooms; many rooms include balconies or windows framing the surrounding pines, and guests are provided with yukata for use around the ryokan. On-site amenities include a breakfast buffet featuring local produce, a lounge and café, free on-site parking and public Wi‑Fi. The ryokan provides accessible services such as luggage assistance and staff who can assist in English; the property operates as a ryokan with onsen in Nagano, focused on an unhurried, restorative stay.
Practical details important to planning include a complimentary courtesy lift from the nearest train station and straightforward car access, with typical check-in in the mid-afternoon and morning checkout. Day-use bathing has been offered at times and the property posts current availability for visitors who do not stay overnight. Bathing etiquette is enforced—swimsuits are generally not permitted and guests are expected to wash before entering the baths—making this ryokan with onsen near Komoro, Nagano, a clear choice for those seeking an authentic Japanese hot-spring experience.
Highlights of this ryokan
Points of interest nearby
Review summary for: Hishino Onsen Tokiwakan
Positive Reviews
Outstanding outdoor onsen and unique hillside setting
Many guests praised the hot springs—especially the open‑air baths built on the hillside—and enjoyed the novel access (small ropeway/mountain tram) and scenic mountain views from the baths.
Warm, attentive staff and hospitality
Multiple reviews highlight friendly, professional and helpful staff who enhanced the stay and provided thoughtful service and small touches.
Very good food: kaiseki dinners and buffet breakfasts
Guests frequently enjoyed the meals, mentioning excellent kaiseki dinners and plentiful buffet breakfasts with good variety and special touches (welcome drinks, snacks, toiletries options).
Spacious rooms with traditional Japanese atmosphere
Reviewers liked the room sizes, traditional tatami/Japanese style rooms, the retro/authentic ambiance and views from the rooms, finding them comfortable and charming.
Relaxing, quiet location and family‑friendly atmosphere
Many guests appreciated the peaceful mountain setting, relaxed family atmosphere and nearby garden; overall the property was described as a good getaway for families and couples.
Negative Reviews
Property feels dated and in need of upgrades
Several guests noted the facility is somewhat old with visible wear in places and suggested renovations or freshening up in parts of the building.
Bedding comfort issues (futons and pillows)
A number of reviews mentioned futons as too thin or somewhat hard and pillows being small/firm, which affected sleeping comfort for some guests.
Remote location and limited local amenities/transport
The hotel is in a fairly remote village; guests said self‑driving is preferred, shops are not nearby and shuttle/pickup options can be limited, which may inconvenience some visitors.
Onsen access or operational issues at times
There were reports of the cable car/train to the onsen being under maintenance (shuttle provided), occasional crowding at the baths, and at least one guest finding the outdoor onsen less hot or lacking the expected view.
Food or room systems not consistently to everyone’s taste; occasional odor issue
While many loved the meals, some found the food only ‘okay’ or not to their preference. A small number of guests also reported an issue with a strong smell from the air conditioner in their room.
Frequently Asked Questions
Room types range from standard Japanese rooms for 2–5 guests to family and maisonette rooms that can accommodate up to 6–8 people, depending on the layout.
Yes — the property has a large indoor onsen and a panoramic open-air bath called Kumonosuke that you reach by the ryokan’s private cable car (funicular).
The panoramic open-air bath operates in the early morning and closes by late evening for safety; the large indoor bath is available most of the day but closes briefly for cleaning in the morning — check on arrival for exact times.
Some room types (maisonette and certain deluxe rooms) include a private or semi open-air bath; standard public baths and the hilltop open-air bath are shared — contact the ryokan directly to request private-use options.
The ryokan offers free courtesy lifts from Komoro and Sakudaira stations with scheduled departures and a return shuttle from the ryokan; confirm and reserve the shuttle with the property before arrival.
The nearest major airport is Matsumoto (roughly 60–70 km), and the easiest public route is to take the train to Komoro or Sakudaira and use the ryokan’s courtesy lift or a taxi for the final 15-minute drive.
The property provides English-language information on its site and many guests report helpful staff and manageable English; however, some Japanese may be required for detailed requests, so a translation app is useful.
Standard check-in starts at 15:00 and check-out is by 10:00; reception has set hours, and the ryokan can often assist with early luggage drop-off or late retrieval if arranged in advance.
Pets are not allowed; the booking information notes that children are not accepted for stays, so confirm guest policies with the ryokan before booking.
Nearby highlights include Komoro Castle ruins, apple and strawberry farms, wineries, and Karuizawa shopping (about 30–40 minutes by car); transport options are train to Komoro or Sakudaira plus the ryokan shuttle, local taxis, or driving from Komoro IC.