Shibu Onsen Kokuya

The highlight of our stay was the 7-course dinner and breakfast. This was one of our favorite memories for this trip, as well as our favorite meal. Our menu included (sashimi, tofu, fish, etc). The food is incredible, the onsens are fantastic, and the staff and service are delightful.

Outstanding level of hospitality! All the baths outside of guest rooms post-Covid are private: you either sign up to book in advance for 45 minutes (then it gets cleaned for 15 minutes) on busy hours or you can use it freely and no other party will come in. They replenish your towels and yukata every day! They set up your futon beds during dinner and fold them up and place a table with traditional warmer during breakfast—even on the day you check out! In the afternoon, there’s a sweet treat waiting for you on the table. We were assigned the room Fuyo and its tub was lovely, with landscaping and I think granite in a square tub fed by six sources of mineral water. The cleaning products for face and body were also high quality. Fresh flowers in the room! Excellent and huge dinner and Japanese breakfast, varied daily!

The staff offer a free pick up and drop off to the Yudanaka Station, as well as drop off to the Monkey Park. The walk back from the Monkey Park is not long at all and is very scenic - so I highly recommend doing that instead of taking a bus or taxi back to the ryokan. The ryokan is located in the heart of the onsen town, minutes away from the shrines, shops and restaurants, as well as public onsens. Inside there are 8 shared onsen rooms, including both indoors and outdoors options. No booking was required, you could just come in any time provided it is not occupied by someone else.

Had a wide variety of onsen available to choose from that you could use privately with your family that we enjoyed. It is also situated very near the monkey park and there is a free shuttle service that the hotel provides not only to pick you up from the train station but also take you to the monkey park. The staff were warm and friendly and we had a delicious dinner.

Our entire experience at Shibu Onsen KOKUYA was terrific. The food is incredible, the onsens are fantastic, and the staff and service are delightful. The shuttle service to/from the train station and to the Snow Monkey Park was well organised and much appreciated.

Several guests mentioned that the views from the rooms were spectacular. Opting for a room with a balcony facing the fountain comes highly recommended.

Guests loved the private in-room onsens, so consider booking a room with this feature for a truly relaxing experience.

The hotel offers a free shuttle service to the Snow Monkey Park and the Yudanaka Station, making it convenient for guests to explore the area.

Many guests raved about the 7-course dinner and breakfast, highlighting it as a memorable and delicious experience. Consider including this in your stay for an authentic culinary delight.

Sleeping on tatami mats and futons, wearing traditional Japanese attire, and enjoying the beautiful hot springs are all part of the authentic experience that guests appreciated.

Some guests noted that certain rooms had showers located outside, which could be uncomfortable in colder weather. Consider this when selecting a room, especially during winter months.

The hotel's central location provides easy access to shrines, shops, and public onsens, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the charm of the onsen town.

May is mentioned as the low season, so if you prefer a quieter atmosphere, this might be the ideal time to visit. Conversely, July is highlighted as the high season, which could offer a livelier experience.

The hotel offers private onsen baths that can be booked in advance or used freely, providing a relaxing and exclusive experience for guests.

Many guests praised the staff for their helpfulness, attentiveness, and hospitality, creating a welcoming and comfortable environment for guests.