Fri 25th Jul 2008
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Shimaya Ryokan (Hostels) -
3075, Hirao Yamanouchi-machi381-0401 Nagano Japan
 Internet Access Linen Included Towels | Telephone/Fax Facilities Bike Parking Free Carpark | Web access in lobby Air Conditioning |
We provide free shuttle service to Snow Monkey Park☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★.
Welcome to our web site. We, the staff of Shimaya Ryokan, are here to
make your stay at Yudanaka Onsen (spa) pleasant and memorable.
Located in the center of town, we are only an 8-minute walk from
Yudanaka Station (of the Nagano Dentetsu Line). Within a short walk
of the ryokan, you will find many reasonably priced restaurants and
sushi bars, a 24-hour convenience store, a coin-operated laundromat,
and ATM machine, and a post office.
When requested, we provide free 'on-demand' shuttle services to and
from the Shimaya Ryokan to the Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park and the
Yudanaka train station. If you have heavy luggage, please notify us
in advance so we can help you. We are also happy to offer suggestions
about local restaurants and attractions.
At our hotel, you can enjoy our public Onsen (hot spring bath) filled
with 100% natural hot spring water. On weekdays, our Onsen can be
reserved for private use by families and couples.
If you wish to experience an open-air bath (Roten-buro) with a
spectacular view of the mountains at sunset, we can also drive you to
'Tomi-no-yu,' which is a five-minute drive from the hotel.
We promise to help you make the most of your stay at Yudanaka Onsen Nagano.
We have 12 guest rooms (9 with private shower and toilet) with tatami
mats. All guest rooms have air conditioning and TV. Amenities
include soap, shampoo, towels, yukata (light Japanese robe), and
in-room safes. Parking is available.
We also have an on-site Onsen.
Check-in is 3pm and check-out is 11am. Traditional, multi-course
Japanese dinner available upon request. Please contact us in advance
to arrange dinner. Breakfast can be arranged at check-in (Japanese,
1350 Yen; Western, 800 Yen per person).
We accept cash, Visa, MasterCard, and American Express.
.
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Shimaya Ryokan Yudanaka Review 2008○■△●□▲○■△●□▲○■△●□▲○
I stayed at Shimaya Ryokan in Yudanaka for several nights this winter in January and I have high praise for the husband and wife team that run this facility. Ichirou Yumoto (man) and Mitsue (wife) are very welcoming hosts! By prior arrangement Ichirou met my mid-afternoon express train at the Yudanaka Station and delivered me directly to Shimaya. While we were making this short journey he asked if I would like to go to the Snow Monkey Park that afternoon . . . if so, he'd be glad to drive me. I said, "Yes!"
I was glad I did this because the winter weather in Yudanaka can change quickly and next morning it was snowing and it would have been difficult to photograph the monkeys in snowy conditions. No matter what my questions, or need for local transportation, Ichirou was there to assist. He suggested a small restaurant about 1 block away that serves pork cutlet as a specialty . . . it was very good and the food there was reasonably priced too.
Ichirou and Mitsue's hospitality was amply demonstrated when they prepared an authentic Japanese feast for me one evening. This meal was easily the most memorable one of my two week trip to Japan. Ichirou suggested that I dress in authentic Japanese garb which made the evening even more festive.
Shimaya itself is a rectangular concrete structure of three stories height, plus a basement where there's a player piano and where breakfast is served. The ground floor consists of reception, small seating area, kitchen and down a corridor the indoor thermal pools and private dining rooms (one of which I had for my Japanese feast). Upstairs are the guest rooms and mine was on the top floor.
When I used one of the thermal pools one evening I had it all to myself allowing me to quietly reflect on my excellent experiences in Yudanaka.
My room was Japanese style with a futon on the tatami mat floor. By Japanese standards this room was very good sized. Near the main window was a carpeted area with sink and on the side opposite the sink, a door leading to the toilet. This area where the sink was located could be screened off by sliding doors with paper inset into the wood frame. In a separate room to the right as you entered from the outside corridor was a deep bath and shower. There was on the floor seating at low table and the cushioned "chairs" had backs on them, but no legs owing to the typically low dining like table height.
In the winter when I was there, the common areas including hallways can be quite cool/cold to those who are used to living in 72°F or 22°C temperatures. My room was heated by an electronically controlled heater that burned a fluid that I'm guessing was kerosene. The futon had a thick well insulated top, but cover was quite light being filled, perhaps, by goose down that kept me comfortably warm at night.
I found that the toilet area could be quite cold if the door to it was kept closed due to no heating there and north facing walls. During the first night that I used it steam came from my stream as I relieved myself.
So, my overall analysis of Shimaya? Pros: Definitely the proprietors, Ichirou and Mitsue thank you so much for your hospitality. The free transportation to Monkey Park (twice both ways) was very much welcomed especially in cold and snowy conditions that existed while I was there. Ditto transportation to and from the Yudanaka Station. The Japanese feast they prepared for me was excellent as were Ichirou's suggestions regarding local eating, etc. Also they have a good inventory of rubber boots that they happily lend to their customers which came in very hand on the icy path to the Monkey Park. Cons: Areas of the Ryokan can be chilly in winter and the appearance of corridors and stairway is basic concrete.
Conclusion? High praise for this reasonably priced facility with a nightly rate for the room of 8,500 Yen per night in January 2008. Would I stay there again? Definitely!
Also, while you're in Yudanaka make sure and see the Monkey Park! A large number of Snow Monkeys freely come and go to the hot pools in winter. Really an amazing experience and I was fortunate to run into several professional photographers there as well as a documentary team from the BBC that is doing a show about the four seasons and the Snow Monkeys. I understand that the monkeys spend the night in trees in the rugged mountainous terrain above the river and hot pools.
Best regards,
Joel Otte
Ellerslie, Auckland New Zealand
+＋＋＋＋＋＋＋＋＋＋＋＋＋＋＋＋＋＋＋＋＋＋＋
Locted Neaｒ＋＋＋＋＋＋＋＋＋＋＋＋＋＋＋＋＋＋＋＋＋＋＋＋＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊Open-air bath＊ please read ourguest'scomments.＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊
If you wish to experience an open-air bath(Roten-buro)with a spectacular view of the sunset. "Tomi-no-yu" located five minutes away from our hotel,
with only 2,500 you can enjoy the excellent view of Yudanaka countryside with private bath for 50 minutes .it is highly recommended and worthwhile to pay a visit.
The private bath has an amazing and gorgeous view. If you can spare the cost, it is most definitely worth it. Definitely a memorable, unforgettable experience.
This was our first experience of a Japanese onsen you can either opt for the communal onsen (single sex)@600. but we chose the private onsen which was 2,500 for 50 minutes. It was a wonderful experience. We went at sunset. There was an onsen bath outdoors constantly filled with hot spring water. The bath area was part-screen by a bamboo screen but on one side there were lovely views of mountains and the fields below. The private area also includes your own sauna, shower area and changing room. We'd recommend this especially for couples as it is very romantic. One tip is to take a bottle of water with you as we felt dehydrate afterwards. Mr. Yumoto kindly dropped us there and picked up us after we had finished..
(2008.0408)＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊
Private Onsen(Open-air bath)& sushi restaurant.＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊
We did book the hotel by Internet and didn't know, What to expect. This is our first holiday in Japan. we were very surprised about the friendly Japanese people but this hotel was the best experience. There was a warm welcome. Mr. Yumoto showed us all the possibility's in the area by map. He drove us to the monkey park and picked us up after. He showed is the village and tolled us things about the area. We saw the sunset while we had a private onsen bath. This was fantastic You see the mountains and city.
It was romantic. We were picked up by Mr. Yumoto again and went back to the hotel.
Later in the evening we had a fantastic diner in the restaurant near the hotel. The owner is a friend of Mr. Yumoto. we ate ★sushi. tempura, ★soup and drink green tea and beer. It was a small cozy restaurant & a great price. The people very nice& helpful. The room in the hotel was big, nice& we got tea we had a wonderful stay!
Arigato. Charlotte&Bart Dutch/Netherlands
6May.2008
＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊OBUSE TOWN ＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊
please read our guest'comments.＊Ganshouin Temple＊
Ganshoin Temple houses a painting of the Ho'o (Phenix)by the famous painter Hokusi
which was painted near the end of his life.The painting is located on the celing of the temple and is quite beautiful. Admission to the temple is 300 Yen for 1 person.there is there is also a beautiful pond and garden which is home to a variety of Frogs/toads for which the temple seems to pay homage to.
Ganshoin is a little far from the station.If you are walking it is not that difficult to get to, just follow the signs on the roads(there are many to help you set thete)
the kanji for the temple is GANSHOUIN so keep a Kanji for there character in case you
get lost!
There is also asouvenior shop that sells many nice Obuse products in front of the temple.Also,if you find yourself liking Hokusai's phoenix painting you can buy a poster of it from the gift shop in the temple itself. ＊Hokusai is famous for painting the picture of the waves crashing in the Japanese sea. If you wan to see more of his painting there is a Museum in Obuse called the "★☆★Hokusai Museumuh☆★☆ which is located bout 10 minutes(walking)from the station. Ask the Front desk(owner)of the Ryokan for an English Map of Obuse,it is very detailed and will get you were need to go!
#Senseki-tei# (Chestnuts.Soba)
Senseki-tei is a restaurant that specialize in chestnut rice and Zaru soba
and is quiet delicious. The staff were very Friendly and helpful should you have any question about the surrounding shop/area. If you are a light eater (or don't want to be stuffed) I recommend you get the kuriwappa set (1,207 Yen) which consists of chestnut rice,miso soup salad pickled vegetables, a pot of tea and egg-pudding like dish
(sorry, no soba included). There are also much larger sets that include soba,tempur,and the above mentioned dishes but cost little more. There is a display in front of the restaurant of all the dishes they serve and price.
Beside the restaurant is a Gift shop that sell many sweets made from chest nuts,
as well as some chestnut rice to take back home,＃Kurinoki Terasu ＃(sweet Shop)
Around the corner from Senseki-tei is Kirinoki-terasu which is a café/sweets shop. It's
Mont Blanc pastries and the many varieties of teas it serves.The café is very spa
and clean and the atmosphere is very nice. Get the Mon Blanc ,it's really yummy!＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊SHIGA KOGEN SKI AREA ＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊
please read our guest's comments .
One of our many reason to travel to YUDANAKA SHIMAYA was to ski SHIGA KOUGEN And it turned out to be well worth it!
SHIGA KOGEN is easily accessible from SHIMAYA RYOKAN by catching a Shuttle Bus(690 each way) from YUDANAKA Station you can also purchase your UPT ticket at the bus ticket window(5,800 for all 21 ski fields-this increase a 1,000 deposit for the returnable Electronic Lift Ticket which can be returned to the bus ticket window to get your deposit back)
It takes approximately 30 minutes to reach the first ski field(sun valley)and a further 30 minutes to reach ★★★YAKEBITAIYAMA ski field. ★★★ The bus stops at each ski field in between and during the day you can ride the shuttle between the ticket scanned by the driver when you get off.
we skied YAKEBITAIYAMA ski field as we could not drag ourselves away from the extensive terrain and long, wide runs. we found that the amount of people skiing early morning and late afternoon to be minimal-best to get the early bus to make the most of it(lift run from 8am to 4pm-a couple run to 4:30pm) the runs were well groomed and lift lines were almost non existent(due to the great electronic lift ticket system, the lack of skier and fantastic gondola's and lifts)
At the end of awesome days skiing we returned to YUDANAKA by shuttle bus we had to catch the mountain shuttle to the terminal at sun valley where we purchased our bus ticket home & swapped buses to the YUDANAKA shuttle.
We loves YAKEBITAIYAMA and want to come bck to experience the other 20 ski fields!
Thanks to Mr Yumoto foe all his help&recommendation!＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊YOMASE SKI FIELD ＊ ＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊
please read our guest's comments .
we went to Yomase Ski field tonight we were the only guest at the ryokan so Mr Yumoto
was kind enough to drive us up there. Its only a 10minute car ride through the scenic apple orchirds. there is an outdoor onsen about 50 meters short of the ski field that can be reached on foot bout a day on the slopes.
The ski hire is in the large building on the left as you look at the slopes. A snow board and boots was 3,500yen A tip it you need gloves don't hire them, it's cheaper to buy at the convenience store 990 opposite. My girl friend wasn't skiing but was able to purchase a one way ticket up the first chair lift to the café on the slopes for 300yen.There is a road you can walk up through the café on the slope s far 300yen. there is a road you can walk up though we were discouraged. you one went to walk buck down, but as it was snowing heavily I managed to borrow a toboggan from the ski hire so ski could ride down.. The
cafe is quiet spacious and perfect for any non skiers in your group. Theses plenty of food and drink and the people watching is great. The day was fantastic with beautiful sunshine in the morning then the clouds rolled in and the snow belted down in the after noon. Take you scenic photo's when you can as we missed out due to clouds. The chair lift had goes to the top shuts at 4:30. while the rest stay open to 5:00pm we called Mr Yumoto who kindly picked us up,. back to the Ryokan for a nice hot bath. A tip, if you find the wafer to hoot as we did, use the cold tap for a while ,it makes a huge difference you'll love YOMASA! we were the on a Monday and there were probably only 200hudred other people on the mountain 3/32008
*＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊Tamamura-Honten & Co.,Ltd.＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊
a brewery a local bland of Sake called 'Engi' and a local bland of beer called 'Shiga Kogen' You can taste drink if like it. please read our guest's comments .
I recomend the local beel to anyone who wants a change from the mass produced lagers. The IPA and Pale Ales have a delicious hoppy and are better that a lot of beers in the UK. Apparently you can also visit the Tamamura-Honten brewery down the road.
Richard west (British)
＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊Nature Trails in Shiga Kogen ＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊
please read our guest's comments .
Our stay at Shimaya was fantastic! mr Yumoto is excellent host! He was very helpful with our questions and requests. We wanted to go hiking and mr Yumoto recommended the Ikemeguri Nature trail. it had beautiful views of Lake Onumaike.
before our trek ,we visited the "Jigokudan wild Monkey Park" we spent 2.5 hours at the park and trekked out to the main road and boarded the bus at Kanbayashi onsen guchi bus stop. after a 0,5 hour bus ride, we alighted at Szurikawa bus stop where we then took a lift up to Shibuike Pond. After the 7km point,the trail split into 2 directions and we took the trail in the direction of Hachiyama. After 45minut, we arrive at the Shijyuhachiike marshland. From there it was it was another 5km up and down the ridge to Lake Onumaike. There after, it took us 45minuts to reach Onumakie iriguchi. Along the way, there were many opportunities to take photos of the Lake and autumn foliage. make sure you reach the end point, Onumaike iriguchi before 4:30pm!
otherwise, it is a 2 hour wait in the dark and cold before the next bus arrives.
The walk takes rounding 4hours to complete, slightly more if you want to stop along the way for photo taking. (shannon Corinne )17October 2006
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Customer Reviews: What did customers like about Shimaya Ryokan?
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100%
Male 31-40
I stayed in 3 or 4 Ryokan and this was the best . If I had pictured a traditional Japanese room, the room I stayed in was it. Wood and paper sliding doors, tatami mats, low tables with little floor height seats, and even the magical Japanese electric toilet. The room was great! Mr Yumota was a perfect host, friendly and extremely helpful I went mainly to see the monkeys and also managed to fit in a quick visit to a Sake brewery. He drove me there and back and dropped me off at the station.
Alex from Canada stayed here on 12th April 2008
96%
Male 25-30
Nice Ryokan with in room showers/bath and bathrooms. Breakfast was wonderful and the staff is incredibly friendly, they brought me to the snow monkey parks, the station when i left and showed me places to see and things to do. If you want a break from your regular hostel while travelling around Nagano, consider this place!
mk_ravishankar2715 from India stayed here on 04th April 2008
100%
First of all, Arigato Gozaimasu Yumoto-San and family, for making our brief stay here so very pleasant and memorable. For myself, it was the best part of our vacation in Japan. The rooms, hospitality, and general helpfulness were A+. I'm not sure where to begin. Of course the snow monkeys are the local attraction. But first, Mr Yumoto and family offer us a delicious Japanese style breakfast. Then he offers rides to and from the snow monkey park in his van. He drops you off around 9am in the morning and comes back to pick you up whenever you are done. You just call him. Very convenient. He has a well filled guset book with comments and suggestions from previous vacationers. He himself suggests various interesting spots in and around Yudanaka. Before we left, he tooks pictures of us with himself. It was like a family. I would definitely stay here again, and I recommend Shimaya Ryokan wholeheartedly.
Christopher from England stayed here on 01st April 2008
100%
Group 31-40
excellent, staff friendly and helpful, hotel clean and warm, onsen too-- breakfast was a feast and accompanied by a player piano- (more like 400 metres up the hill though) but still, a good location.
veggio8065 from Australia stayed here on 27th March 2008
93%
Couple 31-40
The owner was very friendly and helpful - very kindly drove us to the Monkey Park and offered to pick us up afterwards, Hot Spring/spa room was very nice and well appointed - a lovely Ryokan and very comfortable. We should have stayed another day.
pbass39070 from Australia stayed here on 17th December 2007
80%
Group 31-40
Very hospitable, the owners made us feel very welcome and drove us to Monkey park and collected us. There is no sign for Shimaya Ryoukan in English, so if you can't read Japanese, you'll get lost!
Aidan from Australia stayed here on 10th March 2008
90%
Male 31-40
The owner is very helpful and will give you a lift to the nearby monkey park. The monkey park is one of my favorite places in Japan.
pepper1870 from Australia stayed here on 12th February 2008
86%
Couple 31-40
Had a fantastic stay at Shimaya. All the staff were friendly and helpful. Ask the owner for his recommendations for places to eat around in Yudanaka as we had some of the best food during our trip to Japan at the places he suggested. He was very friendly and helpful.
marrabld9685 from Australia stayed here on 14th February 2008
80%
Very hospitable, the only gripe was the smell bathroom.
hollie_evans2961 from Ireland stayed here on 09th February 2008
93%
Female 18-24
The owner of the Ryokan made our trip! Him and his wife are very nice people and incredibly helpful. we were collected from the station, dropped to the monkey park colected and also dropped to the station the next day. They also recommended places to eat and things to do. Rooms are spacious and warm. The breakfast was great and the Onsen was so relaxing and the price you cant beat! Top marks!
ear Yumoto San,
Greetings from Australia!!!
We wish to extend to you our sincerest apologies for this very late reply. Remember us? The mother and daughter who had no money and you helped us. Not to mention the missing boots that you retrieved to me on my birthday- a wonderful present!
Most importantly, we wish to tell you that your ryokan Shimaya was the VERY BEST we stayed at during our three weeks IN JAPAN! The beautiful, spacious and very comfortable room with pretty pink and silver futon, were a delight. Everything was immaculately clean too!
The delicious breakfasts prepared by your lovely wife were first class.
Escorting us to and from the incredible monkey park was extra service and greatly appreciated!
We loved your recommendation of the little school house restaurant were we dined on the best soba and tempura we ate in Japan. The owners were very lovely and gave us delicious, local apple sake.
We have the fondest memories of our trip to Japan, especially our two nights at Shimaya, Yudanaka.
We look forward to staying with you again on our next trip to Japan!!
Best Wishes to you and your wife
Jan and Georgia Jones
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Displaying 1-27 of 27 comments
Simply the best accomodation I have stayed at anywhere in the world. Read on! The room had two sitting areas, two futon beds with all the doonas and blankets you could need, and an electric mattress to keep you warm during those cold yudanaka nights! As well as that we had a fridge, TV, our own bathroom and shower, and plenty or space to store our bags and coats. This sort of accomodation is unheard of for that price. Even if you have been staying in very cheap hostels, this place is worth the splurge as it's not just accomodation, it's really an experience! Plus the money you save on the services provided makes it worth it anyway! The Ryokan has its own onsen, which can easily be set aside for your own use, and it's very nice and relaxing. Onsen clothing and towels are all provided! But the best thing about this Ryokan is Yumoto-san and his lovely wife, who happily drive guests to and from all the local attractions and to the station and back when need be. Their restaurant and sightseeing recommendations were brilliant, and they did everything they could to make not just out stay in the Ryokan brilliant, but in the town of Yudanaka as well. Japan is the land of brilliant service, and this ryokan has the best I've seen anywhere. Cannot recommend highly enough.
1 February 2008
Yumoto-san and his wife are the loveliest and most helpful people, our stay here was one of the highlights of our trip.
30 January 2008
Very friendly and helpful owners who will go out of their way to help their guests. Happy to drive you to the train station (5 mins walk) or to the Snow Monkey Park. An absolute must see. Excellent meals especially breakfast. We stayed in a Japanese style room and loved it. Our first visit to an Onsen and appreciated the ability to have a private bath Japanese style. Highly recommended.
21 January 2008
The owner and his wife are extremely friendly and helpful. Yudanaka and especially the Monkey Park is one of the highlights of any trip to Japan.
17 January 2008
this hostel is in a great location in yudanaka. its only a short walk from the train station. The owners are great. we went to see the snow monkies and they drove us there and back. the hostel also has an onsen in the hotel. so it is great if want to do that. the scenery was brillant. Nagano was hosts to the winter olympics in 1998 (i think) so surrounded by lovely mountain and snow etc. would definitely recommend this hostel. its was a bit more expensive than planned but well worth the extra.
12 January 2008
conditions: Check-in is 3pm and Check-out is 11am. Dinner is offered upon request. (make sure to order once confirming your booking through your booking service, prices vary) Breakfast on the following day can be prepared if you ask for it when you check-in. (Japanese1350Yen per person.western800Yen per person)). We ask all the payments to be paid by CASH and Card