Masuya Ryokan

8.5
This Ryokan has an overall rating of 8.5/10, based on 61 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
Mountain Setting Countryside Escape Hot Spring Town Quiet Village Hot Spring Bath Open-Air Bath
Staff 9,1/10
Facilities 8,3/10
Cleanliness 8,6/10
Comfort 8,4/10
Value for money 8,1/10
Location 8,3/10

Ryokan highlights

A historic Tazawa Onsen ryokan in Aoki Village known for heritage architecture and source-fed baths.

Registered Heritage BuildingStay in a nationally registered historic wooden inn with strong Meiji-era character.
Source-Fed OnsenHot spring baths are drawn from the source for an authentic Tazawa Onsen soak.
Open-Air BathOpen-air bathing adds a more scenic, relaxing onsen experience.
Private Family BathsPrivate baths make bathing easier for couples, families, or shy first-timers.
Traditional Kaiseki DinnerMulti-course Japanese dinners are a core part of the stay experience.
Literary, Old-Japan AtmosphereThe inn is linked to Shimazaki Toson and preserves a nostalgic ryokan ambiance.

Who is this ryokan best for?

Recommended stay1-2 nightsRemote onsen-village setting is the main driver: arrive by afternoon, soak before dinner, enjoy a full ryokan meal rhythm, then leave after breakfast or add one extra slow day for nearby village sights.
Trip-planning verdict: Best as a quiet 1-night onsen stop or a slow 2-night rural break, not as a major sightseeing base.

Know before booking

Limited transportBest reached via Ueda area plus bus or car; do not expect train-station convenience.
Thin sightseeing densityAoki and Tazawa Onsen suit a short rural stay; many travelers would run out of nearby activities after two nights.
Low walkable town energyThis is a small onsen area, not a restaurant-filled or nightlife-oriented hot spring town.

Food & drinks

Historic Tazawa Onsen ryokan with seasonal kaiseki-style meals, breakfast, and a few useful dining stops in Aoki Village.

Dining Room (on-site)
on-site

Seasonal ryokan meals; room dining may be used for some stays.

  • Seasonal mountain vegetablesfoodLocal sansai dishes in season.
  • Carp cuisinespecialtyA noted local specialty course.
  • Japanese breakfastfoodTraditional morning set.
  • Nagano sake pairingdrinkSake is featured with some meal plans.
  • Local winedrinkSome plans include Aoki-area wine.
Kikori (nearby)
nearbyabout 10 min by taxi from Tazawa Onsen

Popular Aoki soba restaurant known for handmade noodles and tempura.

  • Handmade sobafoodAoki specialty buckwheat noodles.
  • TempurafoodFreshly fried sides with soba.
  • Soba teadrinkLight local-style tea option.
Nearby Aoki Soba Shops (nearby)
nearbyin Aoki Village

Other village soba spots are useful if you are touring by car or taxi.

  • Tachiakane sobaspecialtyRegional buckwheat specialty.
  • Set mealsfoodSimple local lunch fare may be available.
  • TeadrinkBasic hot tea with meals.

Access, transport and nearby sights

This ryokan is in the Tazawa Onsen area of Aoki Village and is most practically reached via Ueda Station with a bus or taxi for the final leg.

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

Should you choose this ryokan?

This is a historic onsen ryokan in Tazawa Onsen, Aoki Village, Nagano, best suited to travelers who want atmosphere, heritage, and a quiet countryside stay rather than polished modern luxury. It stands out for its cultural-property building, literary history, and classic hot-spring experience, but some rooms and facilities are intentionally old-style.

5 reasons to choose this ryokan best points
  • A rare stay in a cultural propertyThe inn is a nationally registered tangible cultural property, with multi-building wooden architecture that preserves a distinctly old Japan feel. If you want character rather than a generic hotel room, this place offers it in a very tangible way.
  • Strong literary and historical atmosphereMasuya is closely associated with the writer Shimazaki Toson, and guests can even stay in the preserved Toson room. That gives the stay a sense of place that goes beyond simple lodging.
  • Excellent for classic onsen loversThe ryokan uses free-flowing spring water from Tazawa Onsen and offers open-air, indoor, and private bath options. It is especially appealing if you prefer a traditional bath-focused stay in a long-established hot spring area.
  • Rooms with real mountain scenerySeveral rooms and corridors look out over the surrounding mountains and forests, which suits travelers seeking a calm rural Nagano setting. The atmosphere seems particularly strong in the larger traditional rooms.
  • Local Nagano cuisine adds valueDinner centers on seasonal kaiseki with Shinshu ingredients such as local beef, river fish, wild mountain vegetables, and sometimes matsutake gathered by the owner. That makes the meal feel rooted in the region rather than standard ryokan fare.
5 reasons not to choose this ryokan watch-outs
  • Not ideal if you want modern luxuryThe appeal here is heritage and nostalgia, so travelers expecting sleek interiors, new finishes, or contemporary resort styling may find it dated rather than refined. The atmosphere is intentionally traditional.
  • Some rooms lack private bath facilitiesSeveral room types do not include a bath, and some also do not have a private toilet. If en-suite convenience is important to you, room selection matters a lot here.
  • Access is easier by car than by trainThe ryokan is in a quiet onsen area of Aoki Village, with station access involving a taxi ride from Ueda. That makes it less convenient for travelers who want effortless rail-based sightseeing.
  • Historic buildings may mean more stairs and quirksBecause the inn consists of connected older wooden buildings, circulation can feel less straightforward than in a modern hotel. Guests sensitive to stairs, sound, or old-building inconveniences should be cautious.
  • Best for quiet stays, not lively nightlifeTazawa Onsen and Aoki Village are better suited to relaxation, bathing, and short scenic excursions than to evening entertainment. Travelers wanting a busy town atmosphere may feel isolated after dinner.

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: 89th out of 166 ryokans in Nagano.

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