Hotel Fuki no Mori
9/10 Exceptional - Based on 374 reviews
Hotel Fuki no Mori sits in forested hills outside a historic post town, offering a quiet retreat framed by mountain views and a wide night sky. The property emphasizes natural hot springs and wood-lined baths: multiple indoor and open-air pools use local spring water and hinoki cypress details, and a terrace is arranged for stargazing. As a ryokan with onsen Nagiso, it blends traditional architecture with modern comfort, positioning the baths and lounge to maximize views of surrounding woods and seasonal colours.
Guest rooms combine tatami flooring, futon bedding and Western-style options, with many rooms opening onto balconies or garden-facing windows. On-site bathing includes six distinct bathing areas plus a sauna and both cold and warm pools, while the lounge supplies complimentary tea and coffee. The property also offers private dining rooms where multi-course local meals are served using seasonal produce from the Kiso region. These facilities support the ryokan with onsen Nagano appeal for travellers seeking restorative thermal bathing and quiet evenings.
Practical conveniences include free parking and a scheduled shuttle service to JR Nagiso Station that simplifies access for visitors without a car. The hotel is roughly twenty minutes by road from Tsumago and the Nakadendo trail, making it a convenient base for walking sections of the old Nakasendo route or exploring nearby mountain scenery. Staff provide local guidance and the pace here favours slow, experiential stays: aim for an evening visit to enjoy the open-air baths under the stars and a morning walk in the surrounding forest.
Highlights of this ryokan
Detailed Ratings
Points of interest nearby
Review summary for: Hotel Fuki no Mori
Positive Reviews
Warm, attentive staff
Multiple reviewers praised friendly, helpful and traditional service — staff welcomed guests, assisted with shuttle arrangements and provided a pleasant ryokan experience (yukata provided, polite attention).
Excellent meals
Dinners and breakfasts received frequent compliments: varied, well‑prepared Japanese cuisine using fresh ingredients (some guests noted highlights such as wagyu). Meals are often served in private dining areas and described as a highlight.
Great onsen and wellness facilities
The ryokan's baths (outdoor rotenburo and indoor hot/cold baths, plus a sauna) were repeatedly enjoyed for their views and relaxing atmosphere; some baths are open late or all night, enhancing the experience.
Peaceful natural setting and convenient location for hiking
Guests appreciated the tranquil countryside setting with mountain views, easy access to the Nakasendo trail and nearby post towns. The free shuttle between the hotel and Tsumago/Nagiso was highlighted as very useful.
Comfortable traditional rooms and relaxing common areas
Japanese‑style rooms (tatami and futons) were described as comfortable, with pleasant touches on arrival. Reviewers also liked the lounge areas (rocking chair, terrace) and overall comfort/value for the stay.
Negative Reviews
Limited laundry/drying options
At least one guest noted there was no facility to do a washing machine load or dry clothing after a rainy day, which could be inconvenient for travellers on multi‑day hikes.
Pre‑arrival communication could improve
A guest reported poor email communication from staff before arrival, making pre‑trip coordination less smooth in that instance.
Minor wear and occasional cleanliness marks
Some reviewers mentioned small stains or signs of aging on walls, floors or equipment — described as minor but noticeable, and in a few cases some facilities felt a bit old.
Service details: dinner pacing and luggage assistance
A few guests suggested dinner service could be a bit faster. One family also expected more proactive luggage help on arrival and felt assistance was lacking on that occasion.
Limited local information / expectation mismatch
Some guests would have liked more information about nearby sights and walks. A guest expecting an older traditional building found the property relatively new, which was a minor disappointment compared with expectations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Room types include Japanese-style (multiple futons), twin, triple and a deluxe room with up to five futons; family rooms are available. Cribs and extra beds are not available and children aged 3 and over are treated as adults for occupancy.
The property offers multiple hot spring baths, including indoor and open-air options (several different bath types). These are communal public baths; private or family-use baths are not guaranteed so please contact the hotel to request availability.
Yes — a free hotel shuttle runs from JR Nagiso Station but you must reserve it in advance. The last shuttle from Nagiso departs at 17:00, so arrivals after that are advised to take a taxi.
From major airports, travel by rail or bus toward Nagoya/Tokyo and transfer to JR services to reach Nagiso Station, then use the hotel shuttle or a taxi for the final leg. If you arrive late, plan for a taxi from Nagiso Station since the shuttle has an early final departure.
Staff speak Japanese and English, and guest-facing staff with additional Chinese or German ability are reported at times. If you have specific language needs, mention them when booking.
Meals focus on traditional Japanese multi-course dining served in private dining areas; breakfast is also offered. Special-diet requests and children’s options can usually be accommodated if requested in advance.
The hotel is a good base for the Kiso Valley — Tsumago (Edo-period post town) and sections of the Nakasendo/Nakadendo trail are about a 20-minute drive. The surrounding area is well suited to nature walks and cultural visits.
The hotel sits in a forested area outside the town center, so convenience stores and supermarkets are in Nagiso town a short drive away. The front desk can advise on local buses, taxis and directions to nearby shops.
Check-in is from 15:00 (3:00 PM) and the property accepts arrivals up to 23:00; check-out is from 07:00 to 10:00. Please inform the hotel of your expected arrival time in advance and reserve the shuttle if you plan to use it.
Pets are not allowed and the property is non-smoking in guest areas. Guests with tattoos may be refused entry to public bathing areas, so please check policies before using the onsen.