Shibu Onsen KOKUYA

3.0 star property
your current months are December, 2024 and January, 2025.
December 2024
January 2025

Photo gallery for Shibu Onsen KOKUYA

Public bath
Public bath
Deluxe Japanese-Style Room with Open-Air Bath
Front of property
Public bath

Reviews

9.4 out of 10

Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • Spa
    Spa
  • Breakfast available
    Breakfast available
  • Laundry
    Laundry
  • Housekeeping
    Housekeeping
  • Air conditioning
    Air conditioning
  • Free WiFi
    Free WiFi

Explore the area

Map
2200 Hirao, Yamanouchi, Shimotakai-gun, 381-0401
  • Shibu
    1 min walk
  • Onsen-ji Temple
    5 min walk
  • Yudanaka Hot Spring
    17 min walk

Room options

Standard Japanese-style Room with Open-Air Bath

  • Sleeps 3
  • 3 Twin Futons

Deluxe Japanese-Style Room with Open-Air Bath

  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Large Twin Beds and 2 Twin Futons

Superior Japanese-Style Room with Open-Air Bath

  • Sleeps 4
  • 4 Twin Futons

Standard Japanese-Style Room with Shared Bathroom

  • Sleeps 4
  • 4 Twin Futons

Similar properties

About the area

Yamanouchi

When you stay at Shibu Onsen KOKUYA in Yamanouchi, you'll be in the entertainment district, within a 5-minute drive of Shiga Kogen Ski Area and Yudanaka Hot Spring. .This spa ryokan is 1.6 mi (2.6 km) from Jigokudani Monkey Park and 18.3 mi (29.4 km) from Nozawa Onsen Snow Resort.

What's nearby

  • Shibu - 1 min walk - 0.0 km
  • Yudanaka Hot Spring - 17 min walk - 1.5 km
  • Shiga Kogen Ski Area - 3 min drive - 2.5 km
  • Jigokudani Monkey Park - 5 min drive - 2.7 km
  • Ryuoo Ski Park - 19 min drive - 14.0 km

Getting around

  • Yudanaka Station - 3 min drive
  • Iiyama Station - 18 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪猿座株式会社 まちノベイト - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪The Farmhouse - ‬19 min walk
  • ‪そば処 やり屋 - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪HAKKO - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪羅臼庵 - ‬2 min drive

About this property

Shibu Onsen KOKUYA

Ryokan with 3 restaurants, near Shiga Kogen Ski Area
Shibu Onsen KOKUYA offers 19 accommodations with minibars and safes. Each accommodation is individually furnished and decorated. Televisions come with cable channels.

Bathrooms include slippers, toilets with an electronic bidet, and toothbrushes and toothpaste. Guests can surf the web using the complimentary wired and wireless Internet access. Hair dryers, change of towels, and change of bedsheets can be requested. Housekeeping is provided daily.

The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.
Guests can indulge in a pampering treatment at the ryokan's full-service spa, 一茶の湯. Services include massages. The spa is equipped with a sauna. The spa is open daily.

Private bath/onsen services include an indoor private onsen (in communal space) and an outdoor private onsen (in communal space). Public bath/onsen services include an indoor mineral hot springs (Japanese-style onsen) and a yukata (Japanese robe). These services feature separate men and women areas. The ryokan bathing area is open 24 hours. There are hot springs on site.

Make yourself at home in one of the 19 individually decorated guestrooms, featuring refrigerators and minibars. Complimentary wired and wireless internet access keeps you connected, and cable programming provides entertainment. Bathrooms have slippers and hair dryers. Conveniences include safes and electric kettles, and housekeeping is provided daily.
Pamper yourself with a visit to the spa, which offers massages. You're sure to appreciate the recreational amenities, including hot springs, karaoke, and bicycles to rent. Additional features at this ryokan include complimentary wireless internet access, concierge services, and gift shops/newsstands.
Satisfy your appetite with Japanese cuisine at Tyoseian, one of the ryokan's 3 restaurants. Full breakfasts are available daily from 7:30 AM to 8:30 AM for a fee.
Featured amenities include multilingual staff, luggage storage, and laundry facilities. A train station pick-up service is provided at no charge, and free valet parking is available onsite.
Full breakfasts are available for a surcharge and are served each morning between 7:30 AM and 8:30 AM.
Tyoseian - This restaurant specializes in Japanese cuisine and serves breakfast and dinner.
Yawaragi - This restaurant specializes in Japanese cuisine and serves breakfast and dinner. Open daily.
HIroma - This restaurant specializes in Japanese cuisine and serves breakfast and dinner. Open daily.

Languages

English, Japanese, Spanish, Thai

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi and wired Internet
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and public transport

  • Free covered self-parking on site
  • Free covered valet parking on site
  • Limited on-site parking
  • Free return train station shuttle

Food and drink

  • Full breakfast available for a fee daily 7:30 AM–8:30 AM: JPY 2200 per person
  • 3 restaurants

Restaurants on site

  • Tyoseian
  • Yawaragi
  • HIroma

Things to do

  • Bike rentals
  • Bike tour information
  • Full-service spa
  • Hot springs
  • Karaoke
  • Shopping

Family friendly

  • Laundry facilities
  • Fridge

Conveniences

  • Front-desk safe
  • Gift shop/newsstand
  • Vending machine

Guest services

  • Change of bedsheets (on request)
  • Change of towels (on request)
  • Concierge services
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Front desk (limited hours)
  • Laundry facilities
  • Luggage storage
  • Multilingual staff

Spa

  • 24-hour public bath access
  • Hot springs/mineral springs
  • Indoor mineral hot springs (onsen)
  • Indoor private onsen (mineral springs) in communal space
  • Massages
  • Outdoor mineral hot springs (onsen)
  • Outdoor private onsen (mineral springs) in communal space
  • Sauna
  • Separate men/women areas in public bath
  • Spa open daily
  • Yukata (Japanese robe)

Accessibility

  • If you have any requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • This property does not have any lifts
  • Hardwood flooring in public areas
  • Smooth flooring in public areas
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only

More

  • Couples dining
  • Designated smoking areas
  • Genkan (entrance)

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Air conditioning (climate-controlled)
  • Heating (climate-controlled)

Bathroom

  • Electronic bidet
  • Hairdryer (on request)
  • Towels
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste

Entertainment

  • TV channels
  • TV

Food and drink

  • Electric kettle
  • Kaiseki meal
  • Minibar
  • Fridge

More

  • Electrical adapters/chargers
  • Individually decorated
  • Individually furnished
  • Safe
  • Slippers
  • Tatami (woven mat floors)
  • Tokonoma (alcove)

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: 6:00 PM
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

This property offers transfers from the train station; guests must contact the property with arrival details before travel, using the contact information on the booking confirmation
The front desk is open daily from 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Front desk staffed during limited hours
This property doesn't offer after-hours check-in

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours)

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Cribs (infant beds) are not available

Payment types

Important information

Fees

You'll be asked to pay the following charges at the property. Fees may include applicable taxes:

  • A bathing tax, collected at the property, may be charged. The bathing tax applies to properties with hot springs and ranges from JPY 150-500 per person, per night based on local regulations. Please note that further exemptions may apply.

We have included all charges provided to us by the property.

Optional extras

  • Fee for full breakfast: approximately JPY 2200 per person

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Guests must contact this property in advance to reserve access to the public bathing facility
This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted

We should mention

This property does not have elevators
Reservations are required for private bath/onsen; reservations can be made by contacting the property prior to arrival, using the contact information on the booking confirmation
Only registered guests are allowed in the guestrooms
The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare requires all international visitors to submit their passport number and nationality when registering at any lodging facility (inns, hotels, motels, etc. ); additionally, lodging proprietors are required to photocopy passports for all registering guests and keep the photocopy on file
Please note that some properties do not permit guests with tattoos to use the onsite public bathing facilities

Property is also known as

Kokuya Hotel Yamanouchi
Shibu Onsen KOKUYA Inn Yamanouchi
Kokuya Yamanouchi
Kokuya
Shibu Onsen KOKUYA Inn
Shibu Onsen KOKUYA Yamanouchi
Shibu Onsen KOKUYA Ryokan
Shibu Onsen KOKUYA Yamanouchi
Shibu Onsen KOKUYA Ryokan Yamanouchi

Shibu Onsen KOKUYA Reviews

Reviews

9.4

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 64 out of 84 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 15 out of 84 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 3 out of 84 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 84 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 2 out of 84 reviews" "

9.6/10

Cleanliness

9.6/10

Staff & service

10/10

Amenities

9.2/10

Property conditions & facilities

9.4/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

James

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Traditional Japanese Hotel
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sara

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Such a lovely Ryokan, the staff were all so kind and nice. Super friendly! Explained everything so well and offered pick up from a nearby train station and drop off at local monkey park. The baths were all so different and the vibes were really good. Would definitely go again! I'd recommend everyone to go if you want to stay in the area.
Stayed 1 night in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Michelle

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

patricia

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Super helpful staff and they speak English. The customer service was excellent with thorough explanations of the facilities, the meals and the van service to see the snow monkeys the next day (free van service) Great meals (plenty of great food) and the baths were amazing (onsen). You can book the indoors baths twice in a day (heaven!) and I had a private onsen in my room as well. Even when the weather was super cold and rainy, I was able to enjoy and recover from my long trip. I was not able to get out and walk around the property at night since it was very cold outside. Would definitely love to return!
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jacky

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
For my overnight trip to Nagano, my focus had always been to visit Togakushi Shrine for the giant cedar trees and Jigokudani Yaen Koen for the snow monkeys. This meant that I had to find lodging that was within a reasonable drive from both locations as one was west of Nagano and the other east. As I favored more of visiting Jigokudani Yaen Koen when there are lesser crowds, which meant early morning hours when the park just opens (keep in mind it takes 45 minutes to hike up to the park), I decided to go with Shibu Onsen Kukuya, which was comfortably situated in Shibu Onsen a small onsen town that is 10 minutes drive away from the park. My overall experience with this Ryokan style lodging was exceptional as they were easy to get in touch with, responsive with inquiries, English friendly and very accommodating to their guest needs. The food that came with my room reservation (dinner & breakfast) was comparable to fine dining that you would find in luxury hotels and restaurants from larger cities like Tokyo and Kyoto. The private onsens found within the premises as well as within certain rooms offer a very intimate and comfortable experience. As for the staff, they all offered a world class service from the moment they greet you to moment they bid you farewell, I was truly impressed by the attention to detail and professionalism that each staff member shared. Overall, Shibu Onsen Kokuya has exceeded my expectations and has provided me with an enjoyable and memorable experience.

10/10 Excellent

Paul

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
A traditional Japanese hotel. They served breakfast and dinner. Exceptional. Staff very helpful, punctual, and sweet. The resort even has onsens within the hotel that guests can use. There is about ten of them. We used them instead of using the Puplic Onsen which we also had access to. Only issue was my husband is tall and had to duck in many doorways. Also we are in our 60’s and sleeping on the floor on mats was a bit uncomfortable. But definitely worth it. And going to the Snow Monkey Park was just awesome. Shuttle service was available at 9:15am. It is best to go early. Loved this place for traditional Japan hospitality.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Annie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Heather

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This ryokan was an absolute dream. The staff goes above and beyond to make it worth the price. My husband and I got to Nagano station and the only train to get to the ryokan was out of service and we had to take a bus to the snow monkey park with all our luggage and the ryokan used their shuttle to pick us up. They also provide free shuttle service to the snow monkey park in the morning (timed) and free bagging storage. The staff also had amazing English and explained everything the ryokan had to offer as well as helping us with how to get to our next location. Aside from the staff being great, the room we stayed in was amazing (we had the traditional futons, you get to wear traditional yukatas during your stay, and you have access to 6 or so onsens on the premise (you can privately use alone or with your partner/friends/family) and all 9 public onsens in the town. Also, we did the half board and everything we ate was delicious!!!
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

carol

Travelled with partner
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kyle

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Amazing property in Yamanouchi. Staff was very friendly and the rooms were amazing. The open air bath in the room was serene and relaxing. The private hot springs on the property were all great as well.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Randal

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities

10/10 Excellent

Blake

Travelled with family and small children, Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Staff and Manager went out of their way to accomodate our group itinerary, including transportation.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Julie

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We absolutely loved our stay here. Everyone was so lovely and helpful. It was an amazing experience. We’re planning on coming back.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ronald

Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kirill

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
A great selection of onsens right inside the ryokan. Nice Japanese food in the half board. Very accommodating staff.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ryan

Travelled with family, Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This property was one of best stays I’ve ever had. The staff were extremely professional and courteous. Food/meals felt authentic and abundant. The onsens offered a more atheistic variety with the added privacy. We cant thank the staff enough for how polite and helpful they truly were!

10/10 Excellent

Sydney

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Boris

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
We stayed at Kokuya for one night. It is a larger Ryokan compared to some of the others we stayed at. The advantage of this place is that they have at least 8 baths within the property that are very different in look and feel (both indoors and outdoors) and can be booked just for your party (so a couple can use a certain bath without having to be separated by gender) - this is free for all guests. They also provide a key to the town's public baths. Very centrally located. There are yukatas in the room. Would definitely stay again.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2020

10/10 Excellent

Jorch001, Lake forest, CA

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It is a nice Ryokan style hotel, hot springs very close to snow monkey park, short train ride to nice sight seeing and cultural sites and great if you want to disconnect from normal day to day life
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2020

10/10 Excellent

Thomas

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2020

2/10 Terrible

Danielle

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Terrible Stay
Very unhappy with our stay. We confirmed 3 times by email that we would be arriving early. We were told we couldn’t check in but that we could leave our bags and get key to local onsens. We showed up and no one was there. Lights out and a sign saying they would open at 3 pm. Then when we did checkin the room was dirty and dated. We paid for 5 futons and got two (one each). Floor was so hard.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2019

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
such great service! the kaiseki meals are also phenomenal. this was our second time at Kokuya and will be back for sure. Note: the property is kind of a maze of stairs, so if you can't handle stairs, this might not be the place for you.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2019

10/10 Excellent

Wendy

Business traveller, Travelled with family, Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2019

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful and historical ryokan - this place is incredible. Kokuya has been around for for hundred years and was passed down from generation to generation. You can tell there is a lot of love put into in keeping this traditional inn alive. The multiple hot baths available to guests make it a great and unique place to stay. The service was spot on. The meals were varied and delicious. The only point of feedback would be that some parts of the ryokan need to be updated. The carpet throughout the inn is quite worn and a place this expensive should look like it's worth the expense.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2019