Nanakusa no Yu, Bessho Onsen

9.1
This Ryokan has an overall rating of 9.1/10, based on 37 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 2:00 PM
Hot Spring Town Old Town Mountain Setting Countryside Escape Public Onsen Open-Air Bath
Staff 9,5/10
Facilities 9,0/10
Cleanliness 9,4/10
Comfort 9,2/10
Value for money 8,8/10
Location 9,1/10

Ryokan highlights

A traditional Bessho Onsen ryokan with private dining, hot-spring baths, and easy access to local sights.

Central Bessho BaseSet in central Bessho Onsen, convenient for strolling the hot-spring town.
Private DiningPrivate meal spaces add a calmer, more personal dining experience.
Open-Air Bath RoomsSome rooms include private open-air baths for a more exclusive stay.
Shinshu Seasonal CuisineMeals highlight local Shinshu ingredients, including premium regional meats and seasonal specialties.
Traditional Modern FeelJapanese-style hospitality with updated rooms creates a classic yet comfortable atmosphere.
Easy Station AccessReachable on foot from Bessho-Onsen Station, with shuttle support at some times.

Who is this ryokan best for?

Recommended stay1-2 nightsOnsen-town setting is the key driver: arrive by mid-afternoon, soak before dinner, walk the temple lanes the next morning, and leave after breakfast or a short second-day stroll.
Trip-planning verdict: A strong 1-night or relaxed 2-night ryokan in central Bessho Onsen for travelers who want baths, kaiseki, and easy temple walks, not a high-energy sightseeing base.

Know before booking

Limited big-sightseeing rangeBessho Onsen is compact and calm, so many travelers run out of nearby sightseeing after one full day unless they add Ueda or regional detours.
Not urban-convenientYou still need the local Bessho Line after reaching Ueda, so this is less efficient for travelers changing hotels quickly with heavy luggage.
Early departure rhythmCheck-out is in the morning, which suits a ryokan stopover but can feel rushed if you arrive late and miss the bath-and-dinner rhythm.

Food & drinks

This ryokan at 1621 Bessho Onsen is best known for seasonal kaiseki meals, with a nearby coffee stop and local soba options.

Dining Room (on-site)
on-site

Private-style meal venue for seasonal kaiseki, dinner, and breakfast.

  • Seasonal KaisekifoodMulti-course dinner with local seasonal ingredients.
  • Creative Banquet CuisinespecialtyRyokan course meal with changing dishes.
  • BreakfastfoodJapanese-style morning meal for staying guests.
  • Shinshu BeefspecialtyLocal beef appears in some meal courses.
  • Matsutake Seasonal DishesspecialtyAutumn specialty noted for local stays.
Nanakusa Coffee Corner (nearby)
nearby3 min walk

Casual coffee stop near Kitamuki Kannon for a light break.

  • CoffeedrinkSimple coffee break near the ryokan.
  • SweetsfoodLight sweet snacks with drinks.
  • Souvenir SnacksspecialtyLocal treats sold at the shop.
Soba Kyu (nearby)
nearby450 m

Popular soba restaurant near Bessho Onsen and Chourakuji area.

  • Handmade SobafoodBuckwheat noodles, the house specialty.
  • Tempura SobafoodSoba served with crisp tempura.
  • Soba DumplingsspecialtyLocal-style side item mentioned by diners.
  • TeadrinkSimple drink pairing with soba.

Access, transport and nearby sights

This ryokan is in central Bessho Onsen and is most conveniently reached via Bessho-Onsen Station, with Ueda Station as the main regional rail transfer hub.

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 strong pick for travelers who want a polished ryokan stay in the heart of Bessho Onsen with scenic baths and easy walking access to the town’s main sights. It is less ideal if you want a highly secluded retreat, a late check-out rhythm, or a more budget-friendly stay.

5 reasons to choose this ryokan best points
  • Walkable temple-town settingThe ryokan sits in central Bessho Onsen, making it easy to explore Kitamuki Kannon, Anraku-ji and other historic spots on foot. This is especially appealing if you want sightseeing without relying on cars or long transfers.
  • Top-floor baths with a viewIts public baths are on the top floor, which gives the bathing experience a more open, scenic feel than many standard indoor ryokan baths. Morning soaking is likely to be a highlight thanks to the elevated outlook.
  • Refreshed, cleaner feelThe property was fully renovated in 2016, so it offers a more updated atmosphere than many older hot-spring inns in the area. That can matter if you want traditional style without too much wear or dated interiors.
  • Rooms suit different sleep stylesYou can choose between classic Japanese-style rooms with futons and Japanese-Western rooms with beds, plus some rooms include a private open-air bath. This flexibility makes it easier to match the stay to your comfort level.
  • Classic ryokan dining with Shinshu touchesMeals focus on seasonal Japanese cuisine with local ingredients such as Shinshu beef, mountain vegetables and freshwater fish. It should appeal most to travelers who want a proper regional ryokan dinner rather than a generic hotel meal.
5 reasons not to choose this ryokan watch-outs
  • Not a hidden-away retreatBecause it is in the center of Bessho Onsen, the setting is convenient but not especially isolated. Travelers seeking a deeply remote, nature-immersed escape may find it a bit too integrated into the village.
  • Early morning departure paceCheck-out is at 10:00 a.m., which can make the stay feel slightly short if you like slow mornings after breakfast and one last bath. It is better suited to travelers comfortable with a more traditional ryokan schedule.
  • Some room types are more traditionalNot every room is bed-based, so guests unfamiliar with futons and tatami living may need to choose carefully. If you book the wrong room type for your habits, the experience may feel less relaxing than expected.
  • Shared-bath culture may not suit everyoneThe ryokan experience here leans strongly on communal onsen bathing, which can feel uncomfortable for travelers who prefer fully private hotel-style bathrooms and spa use. Private-bath rooms exist, but not across the board.
  • Likely better for experience-led travelers than value huntersWith only a small number of rooms, scenic baths, and a more curated ryokan experience, this kind of stay is usually best justified by the full cultural experience. If your priority is simply the cheapest place to sleep in Ueda, this may feel expensive for one night.

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: 49th out of 166 ryokans in Nagano.

Rank Ryokan Rating Reviews
44th 信州の古民家宿 真秀ろばmahoroba 10.0/10 10
45th Oyado Sansui 8.9/10 250
46th onsen hotel OMOTO 8.9/10 181
47th Hotel Saginoyu 8.9/10 144
48th Schole Hakuba 8.9/10 140
49th Nanakusa no Yu, Bessho Onsen Current ryokan 9.1/10 37
50th Suwa Grand Shrine Kameya Inn 8.9/10 109
51st Wafu-no-Yado MASUYA 8.8/10 1,038
52nd Aritaya Ryokan 9.0/10 41
53rd Awanoyu 8.8/10 251
54th Izumiya Zenbe 8.8/10 236
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This ryokan is included in 1 public itinerary.

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6 days – Gifu > Gunma > Nagano > Shizuoka

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