Nagano Yudanaka Shimaya Reviews

Great place, Ichiro the owner is very helpful. I suggest that you listen to his very helpful hints he knows the area very well

I stayed at Shimaya Ryokan for 2 nights. The staff are really, really kind and helpful, even offering to drive me out to the Snow Monley Park as well as outdoor onsen Tominoyu. The place has a cool, retro vintage quality to it. The bedrooms are lovely and I recommend you sleep on a tatami if you can. Shimaya also has its own bathhouse for use by occupants after a long day out in the cold. The location is a short walk fro Yudanaka Station (about 7 mins). Clean, friendly and a safe place to stay.

Inchiro san was very hospitable throughout my 3 days stay at Shimaya. He went the extra mile to provide shuttle services to the snow monkey. Really appreciate the effort! It is indeed a very cosy hostel. Thank you once again.

YOU HAVE TO STAY HERE! I only wish we could have stayed longer. The traditional tatami rooms are breathtakingly beautiful, with amazing views. Plenty of mod cons too; cosy heating, private ensuite, not to mention free WiFi! The home cooked, traditional breakfast is a must and private onsen just an incredible Japanese experience. But the best thing about Yudanaka Shimaya....... Mr Ichiro San and the gorgeous Mrs Yumoto! No Japan trip is complete without experiencing their incredible hospitality.

We booked this place based solely on reviews of hotels in the area & we weren't disappointed. Everything all the reviews said was true. Yumoto san was an absolute gentleman & did everything he could to drive us around, recommend places to see & restaurants to eat at. Unfortunately we'd only booked one night, wish we had stayed for two to experience everything there was in the local area. Our room was immaculate, bathroom was a little old but sort of expected from a Ryokan.

Mr. Yumoto and staff made our stay a wonderful experience. My only regret is not staying there longer. He went out of his way to drive us to the ski resort and book our hot spring trip and even the next day we got to see the snow monkeys. Pretty much nat geo show playing right in front of you. The rooms we had were one of the biggest we had in Japan, and felt more like a hotel rather than hostel.

I had such a wonderful time at Shimaya. It's more of a ryokan than a hostel, but you get it for a hostel-type price, and you're really getting your money's worth. With the help of Ichiro and Matsue and their book of letters and reviews from fellow travelers, you'll discover aspects about the area you hadn't even expected to discover, and your trip will be richer for it. I really recommend a stay here not only for the surrounding area, but for the experience of staying at Shimaya.

This a fantastic place to stay in Yudanaka. I was especially taken by Mr. Ichiro and his staff. All the ladies working there are so nice and attentive that you feel at home. A friend of mine, Arvinder, recommended the place to me as she had been there 2 years ago and we are very glad she did as we really enjoyed our stay there and would not hesitate to go back. I highly recommend this hotel to everyone. Mr. Ichiro, the owner, takes you up to entrance of the Monkey Park and he would pick you up.

This was an amazing ryokan. I seriously cannot say enough wonderful things about it. It is the cheapest place to stay in the area and the owner is beyond helpful. I HIGHLY recommend this ryokan.

Very accommodating and helpful in giving us directions, ride to monkey park and shops. Love the dining room with the player piano and jukebox playing Christmas music to help feel at home. Very good food made by wife. The hot bath was soothing after our hike to the monkey park.

love the free the pick-up to the park, a real advantage for this hotel. the owner is a wonderful host as well. Minus point for the toilet. overall a great place!

We have just returned from a 3 week trip around Japan and Hotel Shimaya was a clear highlight for both of us. The main reason for this were the extremely helpful and friendly owners who went out of their way to make our stay a special one. We were given excellent recommendations for things to do in the local area and the owner was glad to drive us wherever we wanted to go. We would definitely recommend the outdoor private onsen they booked for us. We would be very happy to stay here again.

The hostel is very good! The location is fantastic. Is for sure the best hostel we have been in our trip for Japan. The staff is so friendly and so attend to your demand. Really recommendable hostel.

yumoto san and his wife were excellent hosts. on the day we arrived he drove us to an amazing onsen on top a mountain overlooking nagano. the next day we had a delicious breakfast at the hostel then he took us to the monkey hot springs. thank you yumoto san!!

This was probably the best place we stayed in Japan, I wish we could have stayed longer. The area was lovely and seems there's a lot more to do than just visit the lovely monkeys - though the monkeys are definitely worth a visit! The hotel owners were very very kind and hospitable - they must be exhausted looking after all their guests so well! The hotel is quite retro in it's style but amazingly well cared for. Would totally recommend the whole experience. Thanks!