Two-story traditional Japanese ryokan exterior with wooden framed windows and a small red-leaved tree at Yamashiroya Resort Nagano
Traditional tatami room with shoji screens and balcony at Yamashiroya Resort in Nagano
Indoor stone onsen bath with windows overlooking a rock garden at Yamashiroya Resort, Nagano, Chūbu
Long wooden dining table with metal chairs and shoji screens overlooking greenery
Living area with sofas, wooden floor and sliding doors at Yamashiroya Resort Nagano Chūbu Japan
Two-story traditional ryokan building with wooden beams and small courtyard tree in Nagano
Traditional tatami room with folded futons, shoji screens and wooden ceiling at Yamashiroya Resort, Nagano
Tiled indoor bathing pool with decorative lion head water spout and windows at Yamashiroya Resort in Nagano

Yamashiroya Resort

8.3
This Ryokan has an overall rating of 8.3/10, based on 7 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
Countryside Escape Mountain Setting Garden Setting Hot Spring Bath Private Onsen Public Onsen
Staff 8,9/10
Facilities 7,4/10
Cleanliness 8,3/10
Comfort 8,4/10
Value for money 8,6/10
Location 8,6/10

Ryokan highlights

A small countryside ryokan resort in Aoki, Nagano, focused on hot springs, mountain scenery, and quiet stays.

Small-Scale StayJust six rooms, giving the property a calmer and more private feel.
Mountain SettingSurrounded by clear air and beautiful mountains in rural Aoki Village.
Hot Spring AppealThe property highlights quality hot spring bathing as a core part of the stay.
Creative DiningMeals are presented as a memorable part of the experience, not just standard lodging food.
Easy Ueda AccessAbout 30 minutes from Ueda Station by car or pickup vehicle.
Room Dining OptionSupports in-room or private dining, useful for quieter, more personal stays.

Who is this ryokan best for?

Recommended stay1-2 nightsDining and onsen are the strongest stay drivers here. One night works for check-in, baths, dinner, sleep, and breakfast; a second night only makes sense if you want a slower rural rhythm with short village stops around Aoki rather than heavy sightseeing.
Trip-planning verdict: Best used as a quiet destination stay near rural Aoki rather than as a convenient sightseeing base for a dense Nagano itinerary.

Know before booking

Car helps a lotPickup from Ueda is possible, but the property is about 30 minutes from the station and local movement is limited.
Do not overbaseAoki is scenic but low-density for major sights, so long stays can feel thin without a car or a slow-travel plan.
Room differences matterSome units have private semi-open-air onsen baths, while others rely on the shared large bath.
Old-house quirksTraditional renovated buildings may have drafts or insects in some room types, which can bother comfort-focused guests.

Food & drinks

Verified Aoki Village ryokan with a named on-site French restaurant, Japanese breakfast, and a few useful dining stops by car nearby.

Terre sainte de Aoki (on-site)
on-site

Counter-style creative French with Japanese touches inside the resort.

  • Chef's omakase coursespecialtySeasonal creative French set.
  • Local produce dishesfoodFresh local ingredients, lightly prepared.
  • Dinner pairing drinksdrinkDrinks offered separately with dinner.
  • BreakfastfoodBreakfast included with some stay plans.
Breakfast Dining (on-site)
on-site

Ryokan breakfast service; Japanese breakfast is clearly mentioned, but venue naming is unclear.

  • Japanese breakfastfoodTraditional morning set.
  • Rice and side dishesfoodTypical ryokan-style breakfast items.
  • TeadrinkSimple breakfast drink option.
Ajidokoro Komayumi (nearby)
nearby4 min drive

Handmade soba spot at Michi-no-Eki Aoki, good for a casual local meal.

  • Tachiakane sobafoodLocal Aoki-grown buckwheat soba.
  • Mountain vegetablesspecialtyRegional sansai flavors.
  • Mushroom dishesfoodNagano-style mushroom options.

Access, transport and nearby sights

Yamashiroya Resort is a countryside onsen stay in Tazawa, Aoki Village, best reached by train to Ueda or Matsumoto and then continuing by taxi or local bus.

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

Should you choose this ryokan?

Yamashiroya Resort is a small hot-spring retreat in Tazawa Onsen, Aoki Village, Nagano, with a distinctive mix of historic buildings, private-use accommodations, and a more upscale resort feel. It is most appealing for travelers who value privacy, character, and onsen time more than easy public transport access or a classic full-service ryokan format.

5 reasons to choose this ryokan best points
  • Private onsen-rich roomsSeveral room types include their own flowing hot-spring bath, so you can soak whenever you like without sharing the space. That is a strong advantage for couples, families, or travelers who prefer privacy.
  • Distinctive historic architectureThe property is built around unusual accommodations such as a renovated Edo-style house and a historic nagayamon gate building. It feels much more memorable than a standard modern hotel stay.
  • Very small-scale stayWith only a handful of rooms, the resort offers a quieter and more exclusive atmosphere than larger hot-spring hotels. This suits travelers looking for a calm, low-density escape.
  • Good fit for groups or special tripsRoom types range from luxury standalone-style units to a larger traditional building that can host bigger groups. It works well for family gatherings, private celebrations, or a retreat-style stay.
  • On-site extras beyond sleepingThe resort adds more than lodging with a large public hot-spring bath, lounge space, stone garden, and a French dining concept on site. That gives the stay a more self-contained resort feel.
5 reasons not to choose this ryokan watch-outs
  • Remote without a carThe resort is about 30 minutes from Ueda Station and also around 30 minutes from the expressway interchange. If you want easy sightseeing by train and foot, this location may feel inconvenient.
  • Not a classic ryokan experienceThis property leans toward a boutique resort style rather than a traditional ryokan with standard kaiseki-and-tatami expectations in every room. Travelers seeking a strictly classic inn atmosphere may find it different from what they imagined.
  • Large variation between room typesThe accommodations are very different from one another, from high-end private units to simpler group-oriented traditional rooms. Choosing the wrong category could seriously affect your experience.
  • Public bath is fairly compactThe shared bath is not huge, with separate men's and women's areas that appear sized for a small number of guests at once. If you expect a sprawling onsen complex, this may disappoint.
  • Limited on-site scaleBecause the resort is small, it may not offer the breadth of facilities, dining choices, or round-the-clock services you would get at a larger luxury ryokan resort. It is better for a quiet stay than for a full-service resort program.

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: 111th out of 166 ryokans in Nagano.

Rank Ryokan Rating Reviews
106th Yoshinotei 8.3/10 48
107th Hotel & Onsen 2307 Shigakogen 8.3/10 42
108th Juvankan 8.3/10 36
109th Pension Hakuba 70 8.3/10 31
110th Bouzantei Kotobuki 8.3/10 24
111th Yamashiroya Resort Current ryokan 8.3/10 7
112th Konashi No Yu Sasaya 9.0/10 0
113th Andaikan 8.0/10 1
114th Ryokan Tsuruya 8.0/10 1
115th Shintaku Sanso 8.0/10 1
116th Samurai Hotel Naraiso 8.2/10 17
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