Shimaya
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Shimaya is a family-run ryokan set in the Yudanaka Onsen area of Yamanouchi, within easy reach of the town’s station and the nearby Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park via a complimentary shuttle. The property combines practical convenience with traditional touches: low-rise, four-storey accommodation, free on-site parking and short walks to local eateries and community baths. Public facilities and a reserveable family bath make it suitable for couples, families and small groups seeking an authentic onsen stay without a remote transfer, positioning it as a ryokan with onsen in Nagano for visitors planning access to the region’s main highlights.
Guest rooms are Japanese-style with tatami flooring and futon bedding, offered mainly as 8- and 10-mat layouts, some with en suite facilities and others with shared bathrooms; standard in-room amenities include TV, refrigerator, safe and complimentary Wi‑Fi. The property’s bathing facilities draw from a natural sodium‑chloride hot spring source and include two large indoor baths plus a private “family” bath that can be reserved for solo groups seeking seclusion. Bathhouse features are described on-site (including a cypress tub and a bright circular spa room), and staff can advise on booking a private soak to suit arrival times and group sizes.
Culinary options reflect seasonal Shinshu ingredients: guests can request a Japanese or Western-style breakfast in the dining room and choose a multi-course evening meal featuring local produce such as apple‑fed Shinshu beef when booking dinner plans. The ryokan emphasizes attentive, English-capable service and practical details—check-in from mid-afternoon, check-out by late morning, and limited elevator access—so guests with mobility concerns should request lower-floor rooms. For travellers seeking both communal and reservable bathing, Shimaya operates as a ryokan with private onsen in Nagano, balancing traditional atmosphere with direct access to local attractions.
Highlights of this ryokan
Points of interest nearby
Review summary for: Shimaya
Positive Reviews
Attentive and helpful staff
Staff and the owner are repeatedly praised for warm, personal service — offering free rides to the Snow Monkey Park, driving guests to/from stations, lending snow boots, helping with bookings and even retrieving and sending lost items.
Authentic traditional ryokan experience
Guests enjoyed the genuine Japanese atmosphere: tatami rooms, futons, kimono provided, low tables and traditional décor that create an immersive stay.
Multiple onsen options and relaxing baths
The property offers onsen experiences (public, gendered baths and a reservable private/family bath). Guests described the onsen as relaxing and a highlight of the stay.
Excellent location and mountain views
Convenient base for visiting the Snow Monkey Park with proximity to attractions and scenic mountain views from rooms and balconies; many appreciated the ease of getting to the park thanks to the hotel’s transport help.
Clean, comfortable rooms and useful amenities
Rooms are generally described as clean and comfortable, sometimes spacious, with useful touches like simple breakfasts, tea on arrival and helpful extras (kimono, snow boots).
Negative Reviews
Building and bathroom facilities are dated
Multiple guests noted the property is aging: some rooms and en-suite showers are narrow or old, and a few mentioned a slight musty smell in older rooms.
No elevator — stairs can be difficult
There is no lift, so carrying luggage up to the fourth floor can be strenuous for some guests.
Outdoor onsen access or value concerns
A few guests reported the outdoor onsen being closed during their stay or feeling that certain external hot-spring options were overpriced or underwhelming compared with expectations.
Cash-only policy and limited local dining
The hotel operates mainly on cash payments and offers only breakfast; guests sometimes found village restaurants closed and relied on nearby convenience stores.
Some small service/comfort issues (noise, extras)
Occasional complaints included noisy air-conditioning, towels provided for an extra charge, and generally Spartan breakfasts for those expecting more elaborate options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Room sizes vary; typical Japanese-style rooms accommodate 2–5 guests depending on the tatami size—select the room type and enter exact guest numbers when booking.
Yes. The ryokan has public male and female hot spring baths and a reservable family/private bath, and some room types include a private en-suite bath.
Yes. Shimaya offers free pickup from Yudanaka Station on request and runs free shuttle service to Jigokudani (Snow Monkey) Park; advance reservation is recommended.
From Tokyo expect about 2.5–3 hours by Shinkansen to Nagano and then local train to Yudanaka; from there the ryokan is a short walk or a station pickup can be arranged.
Staff speak Japanese and English and can assist with basic sightseeing and transport information in English.
A traditional ryokan stay with tatami rooms, futon bedding, yukata robes, communal onsen bathing, and seasonal Japanese meals available by reservation for an authentic local experience.
The property is close to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Shiga Highlands (ski area), and regional cultural sites such as Zenkoji and local museums, making it a practical base for exploration.
Yudanaka Station is within roughly a 5–10 minute walk (about 500 metres) but the route is uphill; taxis are available and the ryokan can provide station pickup if requested.
Check-in starts at 15:00 and check-out is by 10:00; the building has no elevator, so please advise the ryokan in advance if you have mobility concerns or heavy luggage.
Pets are not allowed; there is a 24-hour convenience store steps away for supplies, and meals (Japanese or Western breakfast and seasonal dinners) are available on advance reservation and can be served in the dining room or in your room.