Wood-framed indoor bath with marble walls and warm lighting at Shimaya, Nagano, Chūbu
Traditional tatami room with futon, shoji screens, low table and wooden ceiling at Shimaya in Nagano, Chūbu region
Traditional wooden changing room with sinks, round mirrors, stools and towel shelves at Shimaya in Nagano
Open sliding glass door to balcony with railing, room washbasin cabinet and distant mountain view in Nagano
Tatami room with futon bedding, shoji screens and balcony overlooking greenery at Shimaya in Nagano
Balcony railing overlooking rooftops, pine trees and distant mountains at Shimaya in Nagano, Japan
Traditional tatami room with futons, low table and shoji screens at Shimaya in Nagano
Marble-tiled indoor onsen bath with wooden edging and window at Shimaya in Nagano

Shimaya

8.5
This Ryokan has an overall rating of 8.5/10, based on 69 reviews. ? Our score combines two signals: 50% based on traveler sentiment and guest feedback found online, and 50% based on our internal on-site evaluation plus ratings from verified travelers on our platform, who must provide proof of stay.
? This ranking compares properties in the same region. It is based on the overall rating and the number of reviews, using a weighted score so properties with more review data are ranked more fairly.
Check-in from 3:00 PM
Hot Spring Town Station Access Mountain Setting Hot Spring Bath Public Onsen Reservable Bath
Staff 8,9/10
Facilities 8,0/10
Cleanliness 8,0/10
Comfort 8,2/10
Value for money 8,1/10
Location 8,7/10

Ryokan highlights

A friendly Yudanaka Onsen ryokan with natural baths, Snow Monkey Park access, and solid value near the station.

Snow Monkey AccessFree shuttle to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park makes visits much easier.
Natural Onsen Baths100% natural hot spring baths include communal options plus private family bathing.
Near Yudanaka StationPickup service and walkable station access help simplify arrival without a car.
Traditional Tatami RoomsJapanese-style tatami rooms offer a classic ryokan stay for couples or families.
Warm English-Friendly ServiceWell known for welcoming overseas guests with thoughtful, helpful hospitality.
Good Value StayReasonable room choices and strong review patterns point to excellent value.

Who is this ryokan best for?

Recommended stay1-2 nightsAccess and nearby outing logic are the main stay-length driver: arrive from Nagano or Tokyo, bathe, sleep, then use the shuttle for Snow Monkey Park or continue to Shiga Kogen. A second night works if you want a slower onsen evening, nearby town walking, or a ski/seasonal nature day without rushing onward.
Trip-planning verdict: Best as a 1-night onsen stop or 2-night snow-monkey/Shiga Kogen stay, not a long base for broad Nagano sightseeing.

Know before booking

No elevatorThe building has multiple floors and no elevator, so heavy luggage or mobility issues can be inconvenient.
Limited meal depthVerified dining appears breakfast-focused rather than a full kaiseki destination stay, so dinner expectations should stay modest.
Can overstayWithout skiing, monkey park plans, or nearby day trips, the immediate area is better for a short onsen break than many nights.

Food & drinks

This Yudanaka Onsen ryokan clearly offers breakfast in a retro dining room and may serve dinner on request, with a few useful local restaurants nearby.

Dining Room (on-site)
on-site

Retro-style on-site dining room for breakfast; dinner appears available on request.

  • Self-service breakfastfoodHelp-yourself morning meal.
  • BreadfoodPart of breakfast spread.
  • EggsfoodSimple breakfast staple.
  • Yogurt and fruitfoodLight breakfast items.
  • Seasonal local cuisinespecialtyShinshu ingredients; menu may vary.
Chanko Cuisine Tamaya (nearby)
nearbynear the ryokan

Useful local spot known for healthy chanko stews.

  • Chanko stewfoodHotpot-style house specialty.
  • Healthy hotpot mealspecialtyFilling shared-style dish.
Soba Agare-ya (nearby)
nearbynear the ryokan

Nearby soba restaurant with a traditional hearth-style feel.

  • Stone-milled sobafoodLocal buckwheat noodles.
  • Hearth-side diningspecialtyTraditional atmosphere.

Access, transport and nearby sights

Shimaya is a Yudanaka Onsen ryokan best reached via Yudanaka Station, with Nagano Station as the main regional rail gateway and limited practical airport options.

Distances are approximate and calculated from the ryokan coordinates. Travel times may vary depending on route, traffic and schedules.

Should you choose this ryokan?

A friendly, traditional base in Yudanaka Onsen that works especially well for snow monkey visits and simple onsen-town stays. It is a better fit for travelers who value warmth, convenience, and local character over modern luxury.

5 reasons to choose this ryokan best points
  • Excellent base for the snow monkeysShimaya is in Yudanaka Onsen and offers a free shuttle toward Jigokudani Yaen-koen, which makes visiting the snow monkeys much easier. It is especially convenient if that park is one of the main reasons for your trip.
  • Easy arrival from Yudanaka StationThe ryokan is within walking distance of Yudanaka Station and also offers advance-reservation pickup. That makes it practical for travelers coming by train with luggage.
  • Real onsen variety on siteYou get more than a single bath here: two communal baths, a family bath, and a small private bath are available, with access to nearby local bathhouses too. This gives the stay a more immersive hot-spring feel than a basic inn.
  • Warm, old-school ryokan characterThe property leans into a traditional atmosphere with tatami rooms, yukata, and a retro dining room with a working 1950s jukebox and piano. It feels personal and distinctive rather than standardized.
  • Useful for longer or flexible staysFree Wi-Fi throughout, a washing machine, microwave access, and room options with or without bath facilities make it practical for backpackers, families, and multi-night stays. It suits travelers who want a ryokan with everyday convenience.
5 reasons not to choose this ryokan watch-outs
  • No elevator in a multi-story buildingShimaya is a four-story building with no elevator, so stairs can be a real drawback with heavy luggage, mobility issues, or after a long day out. Upper-floor rooms may be inconvenient.
  • Not a luxury ryokan experienceThis is a simpler, more homey hot-spring inn rather than a polished high-end ryokan with elaborate kaiseki and premium design. Travelers seeking a more indulgent or romantic luxury stay may find it modest.
  • Some rooms lack private bath facilitiesCertain Japanese-style rooms come without a private toilet and bath, relying instead on shared facilities. That can be less comfortable if you strongly prefer full en-suite privacy.
  • Breakfast is fairly simpleBreakfast is self-service with items like bread, cereal, fruit, eggs, and yogurt, so it is less of a classic ryokan meal event than some travelers expect. If food is a major part of your ryokan stay, this may feel light.
  • Evenings may feel quiet and restrictedThe listed curfew means the property is not ideal for late-night flexibility. Travelers who want a freer schedule after dinner may find that limiting.

Ranking around this ryokan in Nagano

Showing 5 above and 5 below the current ryokan. The full ranking loads only when you click or hover over this block.

Current position: 81st out of 166 ryokans in Nagano.

Rank Ryokan Rating Reviews
76th Kamesei Ryokan 8.5/10 452
77th Shirafune Grand Hotel 8.5/10 274
78th Maruka Ryokan 8.5/10 272
79th Nunobiki Onsen Komoro 8.5/10 201
80th Hotakajo 8.6/10 29
81st Shimaya Current ryokan 8.5/10 69
82nd Yamabiko 8.7/10 15
83rd Masuya Ryokan 8.5/10 61
84th Besshoonsen Nanjyo Ryokan 8.7/10 14
85th Nakadana-sō 8.9/10 7
86th Tengu Onsen Asama Sanso 8.5/10 37
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Traveler routes

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This ryokan is included in 1 public itinerary.

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1

5 days – Nagano > Kanagawa > Yamanashi

5 stops
Arthur Blanc Updated 20 May 2026 1 matching ryokan
Hot Spring Town 27% Mountain Setting 27% Forest Surroundings 20% Quiet Village 13% Autumn Scenery 7% Countryside Escape 6%
1. Tateyama Prince Hotel 2. Tenseien 3. Shimaya 4. Kinnotake Saryo 5. Lake Yamanakako Shuzansou

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