Shibu Onsen Kokuya

Japan , Nagano
YAMANOUCHI, 2200 Hirao Yamanouchi Shimotakai Gun 381 0401
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50 reviews shown

10/10

Exceptional

18 Mar 2026

Mark

Absolutely wonderful stay for our small family of 3. I want to go back already!

Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

14 Mar 2026

Rodrigo

Beautiful location

10/10

Exceptional

12 Mar 2026

Stephanie

The team at Kokuya were excellent throughout our stay - kind, caring and personable, I cannot imagine staying at another Ryokan in the city of Yamaguchi. We are looking forward to seeing Sho-san and the team again very soon!

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

04 Mar 2026

Elena

I love everything about this place. The atmosphere, beautiful hot springs, very nice host. Checkout was smooth, food was delicious

Partner

8/10

Excellent

21 Feb 2026

Lee

Staff very helpful, nice to experience traditional style rooms and dining.

10/10

Exceptional

20 Feb 2026

Tamara

What a spectacular place! The staff were very helpful and gracious, the room was lovely, the nine Onsen were all unique with different temperatures of water (the Onsen in town were very very hot, so this was especially nice to have), the food was delicious (they even prepared vegetarian for us!), my message was EXCELLENT. We took the shuttle to see the snow monkeys but walked the 20 minutes back in the sun. And had the special treat of seeing and playing a game with the charming and talented geisha of Shibu Onsen! We had a lovely two night stay.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

08 Jan 2026

nova

The private onsen in our room was highlight of our stay. Staff was the best, everyone were helpful and efficient. There is a free shuttle to the snow monkey park.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

28 Dec 2025

Diana

A great experience. Staff was amazing and made sure our stay was perfect, from the room, meals, onsen and transport. We went with our kids and they said this was their favorite stay during our trip in Japan. Highly recommend.

Leisure Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

12 Dec 2025

Warren

Staff were out standing, very helpful. Love the 400 year old Ryokan - lots of steps. Perfect location.

Friends_and_family Friends

10/10

Exceptional

12 Dec 2025

Nadia

Staff was very helpful and welcoming.The orovate onsenwas superb

Self

8/10

Excellent

17 Nov 2025

Hema

Great location with a historical past. Has 8 onsen on site and rooms have a private onsen. Lots of different ones try on addition to the 9 public baths. Not as personal as I thought
It would be given the generational handover Stayed 2 nights and wished I’d only preferred the set meal for one night to experience the night life outside the ryokan.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

17 Nov 2025

Darcy

Staff were amazing, food was fantastic, onsen’s were magical. Can’t wait to go back!

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

03 Oct 2025

Joseph

Excellent service, friendly and helpful english speaking staff, an amazing facility with great baths, all in an incredible location. We would recommend anyone going to Yamanouchi and Shibu onsen stay at Kokuya

Leisure Friends

8/10

Excellent

15 Apr 2025

Jonathan

Great for the Onsen and Snow Monkeys

Traditional Ryokan with many onsen baths. We had our own outdoor onsen which was nice but you could also use one of the other larger onsen by free reservation, these were great. Traditional Japanese meal for dinner which was lovely and very authentic feeling. Quite expensive.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

21 Mar 2025

Jodi

Amazing place! Loved the kaiseki and on site onsen experience

10/10

Exceptional

15 Mar 2025

Lucy

Absolutely loved our stay here, it was one of the highlights of our trip. The staff were very attentive and kind and helped us whenever we had a question. We loved the private onsen in our room as well as the option to use the other onsens on the property. The beds were very also one of the most comfortable throughout our entire trip. The dinner and breakfast meals were amazing. We would have loved to stay longer but it was outside of our budget. Thankyou for an amazing experience.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

04 Mar 2025

Miriam

Wow what an experience. The service was amazing. So glad we decided to spend a night here. The futton was comfortable and the onsen baths were so relaxing. One of the highlights of our trip.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

05 Jan 2025

Rebecca

Great hotel in Shibu Onsen

Loved our stay at Shibu Onsen Kokuya and would highly recommend. They made the trip into the mountains and to see the snow monkeys very easy - with transfers included and bag drop to the station. The traditional dinner and breakfast were a great experience. Also loved the variety of onsen’s available within the hotel itself - and private Onsen with your room if you want!

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

19 Nov 2024

Dara

This was one of the most amazing experiences of my entire life. The staff there made everything perfect. I didn’t know a place like this existed and I was deeply impressed by every aspect of our trip here. It’s unreal

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

01 Nov 2024

Natalie

We cannot say enough good things about this property. The staff were incredibly thoughtful, informative, and fun to chat with! We had never stayed in a ryokan before and would recommend KOKUYA to all our friends and family. The food was incredible and we enjoyed the variety of Onsen available just in the hotel (we never made it to the public onsens). They also had a shuttle to the snow monkey park in the morning, and will transport your luggage back to the train station upon departure. We will be back to spend more time in this wonderful place.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

22 May 2024

Sara

Such a lovely Ryokan, the staff were all so kind and nice. Super friendly! Explained everything so well and offered pick up from a nearby train station and drop off at local monkey park. The baths were all so different and the vibes were really good. Would definitely go again! I'd recommend everyone to go if you want to stay in the area.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

20 Apr 2024

patricia

Super helpful staff and they speak English. The customer service was excellent with thorough explanations of the facilities, the meals and the van service to see the snow monkeys the next day (free van service)
Great meals (plenty of great food) and the baths were amazing (onsen). You can book the indoors baths twice in a day (heaven!) and I had a private onsen in my room as well. Even when the weather was super cold and rainy, I was able to enjoy and recover from my long trip. I was not able to get out and walk around the property at night since it was very cold outside. Would definitely love to return!

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

06 Mar 2024

Jacky

For my overnight trip to Nagano, my focus had always been to visit Togakushi Shrine for the giant cedar trees and Jigokudani Yaen Koen for the snow monkeys. This meant that I had to find lodging that was within a reasonable drive from both locations as one was west of Nagano and the other east. As I favored more of visiting Jigokudani Yaen Koen when there are lesser crowds, which meant early morning hours when the park just opens (keep in mind it takes 45 minutes to hike up to the park), I decided to go with Shibu Onsen Kukuya, which was comfortably situated in Shibu Onsen a small onsen town that is 10 minutes drive away from the park. My overall experience with this Ryokan style lodging was exceptional as they were easy to get in touch with, responsive with inquiries, English friendly and very accommodating to their guest needs. The food that came with my room reservation (dinner & breakfast) was comparable to fine dining that you would find in luxury hotels and restaurants from larger cities like Tokyo and Kyoto. The private onsens found within the premises as well as within certain rooms offer a very intimate and comfortable experience. As for the staff, they all offered a world class service from the moment they greet you to moment they bid you farewell, I was truly impressed by the attention to detail and professionalism that each staff member shared. Overall, Shibu Onsen Kokuya has exceeded my expectations and has provided me with an enjoyable and memorable experience.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

14 Jan 2024

Paul

A traditional Japanese hotel. They served breakfast and dinner. Exceptional. Staff very helpful, punctual, and sweet. The resort even has onsens within the hotel that guests can use. There is about ten of them. We used them instead of using the Puplic Onsen which we also had access to. Only issue was my husband is tall and had to duck in many doorways. Also we are in our 60’s and sleeping on the floor on mats was a bit uncomfortable. But definitely worth it. And going to the Snow Monkey Park was just awesome. Shuttle service was available at 9:15am. It is best to go early. Loved this place for traditional Japan hospitality.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

04 Jan 2024

Heather

This ryokan was an absolute dream. The staff goes above and beyond to make it worth the price. My husband and I got to Nagano station and the only train to get to the ryokan was out of service and we had to take a bus to the snow monkey park with all our luggage and the ryokan used their shuttle to pick us up. They also provide free shuttle service to the snow monkey park in the morning (timed) and free bagging storage. The staff also had amazing English and explained everything the ryokan had to offer as well as helping us with how to get to our next location. Aside from the staff being great, the room we stayed in was amazing (we had the traditional futons, you get to wear traditional yukatas during your stay, and you have access to 6 or so onsens on the premise (you can privately use alone or with your partner/friends/family) and all 9 public onsens in the town. Also, we did the half board and everything we ate was delicious!!!

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

21 Dec 2023

Kyle

Amazing property in Yamanouchi. Staff was very friendly and the rooms were amazing. The open air bath in the room was serene and relaxing. The private hot springs on the property were all great as well.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

27 Nov 2023

Blake

Staff and Manager went out of their way to accomodate our group itinerary, including transportation.

Leisure Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

29 Oct 2023

Julie

We absolutely loved our stay here. Everyone was so lovely and helpful. It was an amazing experience.

We’re planning on coming back.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

22 Oct 2023

Kirill

A great selection of onsens right inside the ryokan. Nice Japanese food in the half board. Very accommodating staff.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

14 Oct 2023

Ryan

This property was one of best stays I’ve ever had. The staff were extremely professional and courteous. Food/meals felt authentic and abundant. The onsens offered a more atheistic variety with the added privacy. We cant thank the staff enough for how polite and helpful they truly were!

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

28 Mar 2023

Boris

We stayed at Kokuya for one night. It is a larger Ryokan compared to some of the others we stayed at. The advantage of this place is that they have at least 8 baths within the property that are very different in look and feel (both indoors and outdoors) and can be booked just for your party (so a couple can use a certain bath without having to be separated by gender) - this is free for all guests. They also provide a key to the town's public baths. Very centrally located. There are yukatas in the room. Would definitely stay again.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

17 Jan 2020

Jorch001

It is a nice Ryokan style hotel, hot springs very close to snow monkey park, short train ride to nice sight seeing and cultural sites and great if you want to disconnect from normal day to day life

Leisure Friends

2/10

Poor

31 Dec 2019

Danielle

Terrible Stay

Very unhappy with our stay. We confirmed 3 times by email that we would be arriving early. We were told we couldn’t check in but that we could leave our bags and get key to local onsens. We showed up and no one was there. Lights out and a sign saying they would open at 3 pm. Then when we did checkin the room was dirty and dated. We paid for 5 futons and got two (one each). Floor was so hard.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

31 Dec 2019

Verified traveler

such great service! the kaiseki meals are also phenomenal. this was our second time at Kokuya and will be back for sure. Note: the property is kind of a maze of stairs, so if you can't handle stairs, this might not be the place for you.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

29 Nov 2019

Verified traveler

Beautiful and historical ryokan - this place is incredible. Kokuya has been around for for hundred years and was passed down from generation to generation. You can tell there is a lot of love put into in keeping this traditional inn alive. The multiple hot baths available to guests make it a great and unique place to stay. The service was spot on. The meals were varied and delicious. The only point of feedback would be that some parts of the ryokan need to be updated. The carpet throughout the inn is quite worn and a place this expensive should look like it's worth the expense.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

19 Nov 2019

Verified traveler

The facilities were awesome. Dinner and breakfast were amazing as well as the staff and private onsen. Everything was very well coordinated including pick up from the train station, dinner and breakfast, and drop off at the Monkey Park. As a departing gift the staff also gave us a small lunch and some sweets to enjoy on our onward travels. A highlight of our vacation in Japan. Highly recommended.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

14 Nov 2019

Kathleen

A ryokan with onsen right by the snow monkey park

\"Shibu Onsen\" is a quaint little town very close to the snow monkey park in Yamanouchi (Nagano). As onsen lovers, it was the perfect gateway for our family. We stayed at the Kokuya because of the history of the place, the number of onsen available (inside the ryokan, but also in the village) and location.
What makes the Kokuya unique is its design - the place is an amazing maze of stairs, guest rooms and baths. The staff is also very kind and caring and made us feel like we were part of the family. They are used to foreigners so English was not a problem.
However, our review wouldn't be complete without a little bit of feedback. Having visited several luxury ryokans throughout Japan, we felt that the
Kokuya is in need of serious TLC and would benefit from some repairs and a fresh coat of paint (among other things). We also noticed some onsen baths to be slimy, including our own private bath.
The quality of food we were served during our stay was not the same; the Friday dinner being much superior to the Thursday one. Guests were allowed to smoke in the hallway, right by the dinning room, which was not pleasant. Overall, we are satisfied with our stay and would recommend for visitors wishing to experience a different type of ryokan experience.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

21 Sep 2019

Neil

Lovely and helpful staff. Extraordinary dinner and breakfast. Not to be missed. 🇯🇵

Friends_and_family Friends

10/10

Exceptional

28 Apr 2019

Verified traveler

Beautiful little city! We visited the snow monkeys from 3-5pm checked into the hotel and explored the city the following morning. Loved dinner, breakfast and all the hotsprings in the hotel available for private rentals as well.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

01 Apr 2019

David

Great baths and great staff

Staff were very welcoming and helpful throughout the stay. The onsen were a lot of fun. Would absolutely recommend a stay here.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

25 Mar 2019

Thomas

Immersive Cultural Experience

Whether you are a first-time or regular ryokan traveler, Kokuya sets the gold standard for comfort, relaxation, and personalized service. The advantages over the many other Shibu-onsen ryokans include its own nine (7 public, 2 private) onsen available to all guests, and some rooms with their own open air private baths for the ultimate bed-to-bath soaking. Add in impeccable \"farm and stream to table\" kaseki-style meals with attentive service just short of pampering, cozy tatami rooms, and strolling the narrow Shibu-onsen lanes in a yukata and geta (or slippers) for an immersive cultural experience. While there is free and ample wifi, you'll likely want to stow your cell phone and let the worries \"back there\" stay there while you explore discoveries of a more inner nature. Nearby are snow monkeys, sake brewery & art gallery, craft shops, and temples. What's not to love?

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

12 Jan 2019

Absolutely beautiful ryokan with beautiful staff. If you are hesitant to book the all inclusive dinner and breakfast , dont be and definitely do it! 11 courses of the most wonderful food and service. Worth every cent! Thankyou for a great japanese experience we wont forget.

8/10

Excellent

21 Dec 2018

Verified traveler

Great experience, amazing staff!

Service was beyond expectation! They picked us up from the station even though we at last minute took a later train. The place is older and the rooms are small, but definitely an authentic experience. They also offer a shuttle to the snow monkey park and took our luggage to a cafe near the station for storage. All in all, would definitely recommend!

Family

10/10

Exceptional

21 Oct 2018

LORETTA

We only spent 1 night at Kokuya hotel however I wish we could have stayed longer. We were too shy to make the most of the many private and public onsens available, so we stayed in a room with our own private outside thermal bath which I highly recommend. The staff were fantastic and so accommodating. Without a doubt, they were the nicest I met on my trip.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

02 Apr 2018

Amanda

Relaxing Experience, Wonderful Food

We decided to reserve a traditional Japanese ryokan in Shibu Onsen, and we're so glad we did! The welcome tea and explanation of our room was great. Our room had a private hot spring bath. Dining at Kokuya is served Kaiseki style (multiple courses), and all of the food was freshly prepared, beautifully presented, and the staff was exceptional. They went above and beyond to take our luggage to a cafe near the train station and arranged for them to hold it for the day, offered us complimentary ski passes, and went out of their way to make our stay feel special.

The room was very clean, the staff prepared our beds daily, and staying on the traditional mats was a fun experience. It's very different than Western style lodging, but we're so glad we did it!

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

30 Mar 2018

Jorch001

Nice, clean and relaxing

Check in at this Ryokan hotel is easy and fast, the onsen baths are great to rest and relax after a long flight or after days of sight seeing and shopping.
The food is delicious and of good quality, if you want a relaxing time in a traditional Japanese Ryokan hotel this is the way to go.
Staff is great and very cordial and helpfull, if you have never slept in a Futon before I really recomend it its a great new experience.

10/10

Exceptional

17 Mar 2018

Sherry

Luxury at its best!

Best Ryokan exprience of my trip in Japan. The service was excellent and the in-room amenities were so amazing and comfortable. My most favorite is the private open air hot spring which I took advantage of as much as I could. The staff treated us like royalty and the food was excellent.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

05 Mar 2018

Elea

The service is impeccable and there are just so many surprises from the moment we checked in till we stepped out of the door the next day! It was snowing and the town became a part of a serene landscape. Fantastic place!!!!

From the moment the staff picked us up at the train station to the day we left, we did not have to worry about our anything. Everyone from the server/host were awesome and very consistent with the service! The meals were fantastic. On our last day, they gave us a farewell package lunch for our walk at the Jigakudani Snow Monkey Park.
The best part of our stay was the private outdoor onsen outside of the room.

For anyone who wants to enjoy the culture, this would be the place to start.

8/10

Excellent

18 Feb 2018

Angela

Good for onsen-hopping

The location is perfect for those wanting to hop from onsen to onsen. However, we went mainly for the Yaen-koen (Jigokudani monkey park), and this hotel was rather far away (approximately $10-15 and 10-minute taxi ride). The food was good and the service was nice. The room is a very traditional room, so do not expect a standard hotel room. We had a private onsen which was wonderful!

Family

10/10

Exceptional

08 Feb 2018

Jason

Great onsen, snow monkeys easy to get to

Went there to see the snow monkeys and relax for a few days. We stayed four days, which is way too many in the winter unless you plan on skiing or doing a winter sport out there because there is very little to do there in the winter other than the snow monkeys which is a half day affair, but that was our fault, not theirs.

The food was good and surprisingly varied, we were worried that staying four days would mean lots of repeats, but we only had a couple of repeat dishes, and given that each dish is so small (dinner is 10 or small things, breakfast is maybe 5), it wasn't an issue at all. We did their Japanese style food everyday so can't comment on the Western style option.

The rooms were fairly minimal but the onsens were quite enjoyable. Took some trial and error to get good at adjusting the temperature, but otherwise, was nice to jump in and just relax. The sleeping was a bit tougher. The pads they put down on the floor were quite firm (and I generally like firm mattresses) and you only get one very small pillow. Neither my fiancee nor I slept very well. I imagine it's fine if you're there for one or two nights, but given that we were there four nights, it was something we were both mindful of.

Partner