4-Star Hotels in Nagano Prefecture, Japan

The hotel environment is great, very peaceful, and the rooms are comfortable. The hot springs are particularly good, and the outdoor hot spring in the rain was a fantastic experience. The hotel service was also very attentive and well-organized.

Located in the heart of Shibu Onsen, Kokuya is a traditional Japanese inn that has been operating for over 400 years. It's the only inn in the area with its own six different 100% natural hot spring baths, featuring eight public baths and ten rooms with open-air hot springs. It has been passed down through 16 generations. Furthermore, the central area of ​​Shibu Onsen boasts a 1300-year-old hot spring town with nine public onsen (hot spring baths) for hotel guests and residents. The ninth onsen is the largest, featuring a golden bath and a sauna. Next to it is a hot spring shrine and foot bath, right next to Kokuya. Kokuya's hot springs are rich in minerals, beneficial for improving muscle, joint, and skin problems. A free shuttle bus (approximately 3km) takes guests to Jigokudani (Hell Valley) to see snow monkeys and enjoy the hot springs. A free shuttle bus connects to the train station, and freshly cooked onsen eggs (100 yen each) are available at the inn's entrance. The hotel boasts a clean and elegant interior with maze-like corridors and wooden staircases. There are dedicated luggage handlers (three floors in total), creating a perfect setting for a period drama, reminiscent of Yubaba's old house in Spirited Away… The hotel also offers traditional Japanese kaiseki dinners with over nine dishes. Ingredients are freshly delivered from Nagano. The menu changes monthly according to the season. Vegetarian options are also available (please inform us in advance). All guest rooms are designed in a traditional Japanese style, featuring Japanese-style bedding and a bathroom with a sink, TV, safe, refrigerator, towels, and yukata. Ten guest rooms have private outdoor baths. The hotel is surrounded by several temples of varying sizes and different springs nestled in the mountains. The water temperatures of these springs vary, with the highest reaching 56°C. Municipal water supplies are provided to each household. Several bridges connect the two sides of the river in front, including a red-painted bridge that resembles a scene from Spirited Away. I suspect that Miyazaki Toshiro may have drawn inspiration from this place… A very nice hotel and hot springs; the staff are polite and attentive.

Although the room rate isn't cheap, I think overall it's a hotel with excellent value for money. Firstly, the hotel environment itself is superb. It's spacious with lots of greenery, including a lake, trees, lawns, and small villas, making it very pleasant for a stroll. Secondly, there are hot springs and a shuttle service. Plus, right next to the hotel is a beautiful and very large outlet mall, offering convenient dining options. The shuttle runs in a loop, taking guests to JR Karuizawa Station and the outlets. Even though it's not a far walk to the outlets anyway. The hot springs ♨️ are free for hotel guests and include outdoor baths and a sauna. The hotel also has a golf course, which we didn't visit, but we saw staff assisting guests with their golf clubs in the morning. The only downside is that the hotel is quite large, and some guest rooms are a bit of a walk from the front desk. The West Wing is closer to the shopping plaza, while the East Wing is closer to the ski resort. It seems the West and East Wings are booked separately. The rooms are not small, and the window views are very pleasant. All in all, it's a hotel I would happily choose to stay at again.

Absolutely impressed! It truly lives up to its reputation as a resort town – peaceful, beautiful, and with amazing views. The rooms were incredibly clean, the service was excellent, and the onsen was a perfect 100. The classic-style rooms were clean and cozy, with high-quality furniture. I would definitely return if I have the chance. Parking is free for those with cars, and the hotel also offers a shuttle service for train travelers. The food is high-quality, and the restaurant, rooms, onsen, and views are simply stunning.

I stayed here alone and really enjoyed my trip. The whole hotel had a wonderfully tranquil atmosphere, allowing me to relax and unwind surrounded by Hakuba's nature. My room was clean, spacious, and very comfortable. The hot spring bath was fantastic, perfect for soothing my tired body after a day of sightseeing. The staff were consistently polite and attentive, which made my stay even more pleasant. Breakfast offered a great variety, including local ingredients, leaving me feeling satisfied every morning. The hotel's quiet surroundings were lovely for walks, and its location, immersed in Hakuba's natural beauty, was a real highlight. It's also a convenient base for exploring. I would definitely want to stay here again if I visit Hakuba in the future.

This is probably the newest hotel in the area right now. It has that chain hotel style, and even though I've stayed in many places like it, it still feels incredibly comfortable. The feeling of taking off your shoes right when you walk in and just walking around is absolutely wonderful!!!

The amenities were great! There's an onsen you can use, and free flow snacks and drinks (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic) at the lounge at certain timings! The service was really great! The view from the room is so pretty! There is a free shuttle service to and from Nagano Station, but there are limited timings so you might want to check the website! You can also choose to take the public bus but it can cost quite a bit!

Excellent! The environment is beautiful! The room is clean! The service is great! The food is decent! The hotel facilities are very comprehensive! It feels wonderful to look out at the snow-capped mountains! Very comfortable! It's very close to the ski resort!

I stayed in a twin room on September 1, 2025. It was very busy with tourists, and the front desk was congested. The food buffet was more about quantity than quality, so I ended up overeating. I could hear the movement of guests on the floor above me and the sound of water leaking from the drain pipes. Water was leaking from the floor of the unit bathroom. The toilet was child-sized, and the hot water was a little hot, but I would definitely stay here again.

We had a wonderful stay at Taoya and would absolutely recommend it for families. The location is fantastic — it’s close to a beautiful old Japanese village, which made it easy to combine relaxation with a bit of cultural exploration. The area was also stroller-friendly, which made walking around with our 1-year-old very convenient and stress-free. The outdoor onsen was beautiful and very relaxing, especially surrounded by nature. What made it perfect for us was the availability of a private onsen — this allowed our 1-year-old to join us, which made the experience extra special as parents. The all-inclusive concept is fantastic. The food was really, really good — excellent quality, great variety, and beautifully presented. Every meal felt like a highlight of the stay. We only saw one other foreign family during our stay, so it felt authentic and local while still being welcoming and comfortable. Overall, a great place for families looking for a relaxing onsen experience with outstanding food and a convenient location. We would definitely come back.