Absolutely stunning! The hotel itself is a resort. It's beautiful, clean, and the service is excellent. We rented bicycles at the hotel and cycled to Old Karuizawa, the wealthy villa district, and a park with a pond (I can't recall the name). After that, we hit up the outlet mall, which is super close by. So many brands and great deals – it was a shopping paradise! They even have my favorite coffee shop and a sashimi spot there. We had such a blast, I definitely want to go back in the autumn.
The room was incredibly spacious, offering exceptional value for the price. The hotel maintains a peaceful and quiet atmosphere, which I truly appreciated. While the furniture and carpets show some slight signs of age, the overall comfort remains high.
I was impressed by their Zero Waste policy; instead of plastic bottles in the room, they provide glassware and a convenient water dispenser located right by the elevator. Please note that for a two-night stay, there is no housekeeping service, which aligns with their eco-friendly initiative.
The amenities were comprehensive, and the service was outstanding—truly upholding the high standards of the Mercure brand. Parking is plentiful and hassle-free. Lastly, the view is a hidden gem; on a clear day, you get an unobstructed, breathtaking panorama of the mountain range without any buildings blocking the sight. I highly recommend it for a relaxing getaway!
The hotel is very close to the station, with a 7/11 downstairs. The area is lively, a hub for restaurants and malls, yet surprisingly quiet – a peaceful oasis amidst the bustle. The room size is generous for a Japanese hotel, and the facilities are modern and well-maintained. On the 11th floor, there's an open-air onsen with complimentary Yakult and cold drinks, and free ramen is offered in the evenings. I had a very satisfying stay and highly recommend it.
The room was spacious and clean. Located by the lake, it was convenient for walks. The hotel's large public bath and the private onsen in the room were very relaxing. The kaiseki dinner was also delicious. The flavors were subtly delightful, which I really enjoyed. Overall, a wonderful travel experience.
This is our first time to ski Japan. This hotel was located perfectly with great access to some super beginning facilities. Good enough about skiing, the hotel is perfect and the staff is amazing. The food and amenities are excellent. We had a private hot spring every evening really added to the enjoyment. My wife and I and eight year-old daughter had a great time you so much for the great experience and all the hospitality Perfect Stay. 100%!!!
The hotel looks old and isn't particularly striking from the street. However, the Japanese are incredibly meticulous with cleaning, so it's impeccably clean inside. The location is also super convenient (there's a great ramen place in the next building). You'll even find some retro features, like a two-handle faucet and an old TV – very authentic. My only minor complaint is that I couldn't get the air conditioning to cool, only to heat.
This is the best choice if the kids want to ski and the adults want a place to wander around! We can relax in the hot springs, stroll around the outlets, and the kids can ski to their hearts' content. We can also drive to the Karuizawa shopping street for a leisurely walk. It's an effortless trip, perfect!
The location is great, just have to cross a bridge from the train station. And there were many food options around the train station area. The room was clean and just the right size for a single traveller. There was even a microwave oven in the room! The hotel is quite strict on its check in timings, its not really a downside, just a heads up for people who might try their luck for early check ins.
We stayed for 3 nights with meals included. The buffet offered slight variations each day, especially with the tempura and sushi ingredients, soups, and cake selections. Everything was delicious, and we never got bored.
Since we opted out of daily cleaning for our multi-night stay, we received a 1000 yen voucher for the hotel shop each time, which was a nice bonus during the busy season.
The hotel layout was compact and well-organized. It was easy to get around from the ski locker to the public bath, restaurant, and front desk, making for a very comfortable stay.
The only minor issue was the towels. We only received exactly enough bath and face towels for the number of guests. If you use one as a hand towel, you quickly run out, especially on a multi-night stay. I wish they had provided a few extra.
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.
Very Good
102 reviews
8.6/10
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9.3/10
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CChongIt was a great stay. The staff was super friendly and spoke English. The had parking vallet, provided an outfit to change into and roam outside. The hot springs was super relaxing and great for the feet and body. We tried five of their private hot spring rooms out of the many more they had, some had super hot water while others were warm. The outside room hot springs were beautifully decorated. They gave us access to the 9 public onsens that had different minerals in the for body healing. At night it was even more beautiful with the night walk and the town puts on a beautiful show and night market. Super glad we booked the stay.
FFussy New YorkerI had a large tatami room with side sitting area and sink as well as an ante-room. I had three delicious Japanese meals at the ryokan that were served with polite elegance. The two in-house onsen baths were a joy to use after a day of skiing. The staff was knowledgeable about how to get around by the buses and suggested the best restaurants for days that I did not eat at the ryokan. Senshinkan Matsuya was situated in the center of.Shibu Onsen town next to three of the public onsen. I could not ask for a better stay!
GGuest UserThe reality exceeded my expectations; the hotel was even better than I imagined. The room was very comfortable for a family with a small child! There's a private hot spring for families available by reservation, though the usage time is a bit short, it's still great overall! The food is high-quality, delicious, and varied. It's also possible to extend your stay for 1000 yen per hour, which is super convenient when traveling with a child. The hotel corridors aren't perfectly clean due to age, but the room itself is clean and pleasant.
HHanaLocation is great, it is just on the main road and by the lake. I remember there was a Lawon convenient store not far away when we drove past. We stayed there for 1 night.
I highly doubt if we were given the wrong room type, as I booked a room that can see the full Suwa Lake, but the room we have got is at the corner. It is because of the cherry blossom season, there are so many mosquitos outside so we couldn't open any window. According to the information provided by the hotel, the mosquitos don't bite human, but create stains on clothings.
Anyway, the room has a private onsen. It was quite small, and look a bit old. The water is very hot, though I couldn't smell any sulfur so it is not a real hot spring. As the windows can't be opened, so it is a quite stuffy inside the bathroom. The room has equipped with all amenities, but no bottled water. The hotel mentioned the water is drinkable from the tab. The room is quite clean and spacious. The mattress is quite nice, it was good for taking a rest after a whole day trip. We chose the meal package (breakfast and dinner). They were both Japanese style with a lot of dishes and options. Food is great. Nagano is not a place that produces meat, so mainly there are a lot of vegetables.
With the price we paid for, the hotel services, food and everything is quite reasonable. However, the hotel is a bit old. Nothing is special other than providing a clean room to sleep.
AAnn RothenwaenderWe 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.
GGuest UserAmazing Stay at Hotel Iwasuge – A Hidden Gem for Ski & Onsen Lovers!
We had an incredible stay at Hotel Iwasuge, which truly became the highlight of our trip. While the interior may be a bit dated, the five-star service and exceptional food more than made up for it. We stayed for two nights on a half-board plan, and every meal was different, delicious, and thoughtfully prepared. The hospitality was outstanding—every staff member was incredibly helpful and made us feel right at home.
The location is perfect for skiing, with ski-in, ski-out access. There are two lifts right next to the hotel—one going up and one going down. The slopes nearby offer a mix of red and green tracks, making them ideal for beginners and families. Our kids especially loved the wide, easy slopes. We also rented ski equipment directly from the hotel (though helmets were not included).
After a long day on the slopes, the Hoppo Onsen was the perfect way to relax. The onsen itself is so good that we noticed some visitors coming just for the hot spring experience!
We have stayed in many four- and five-star hotels, and Hotel Iwasuge is truly one of the best. It may not be as widely known, but it absolutely deserves more recognition. We highly recommend it to anyone looking for a fantastic ski, onsen, and gourmet experience in Shiga Kogen. We can’t wait to return!
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