Tucked into the small hot spring village of Kanbayashi, a short forest walk from Japan's famous bathing macaques, Senjukaku was first established in 1928. A result of an unlikely encounter between a Japanese railway magnate and a Norwegian lieutenant, it was one of the first properties to fuse Western hotel comforts with traditional ryokan hospitality – and the Japanese Emperor himself was a regular visitor! The result is an elegant, unpretentious retreat, surrounded by pine forests and ancient cherry trees, and of course, a beautiful onsen. Add multi-course kaiseki dinners built around apple-fed Shinshu wagyu and mountain ingredients, and you've got a very compelling reason to visit.
/138.44309946761558,36.729528169481505,6/600x400?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoidGltYnVrdHV0cmF2ZWwiLCJhIjoiY2poMGw1eHpkMmRkbDJ6bW8xYWZ5OGpjYyJ9.PYvAO7lUJ40SOpGvwmQLqw&attribution=false&logo=false)
Tatami-floored throughout, the rooms are simple and comfortable with that minimalist aesthetic that good ryokans do so well – low tables with cushions, sliding screens, and the evening ritual of staff laying out your futon while you're at dinner. Standard rooms offer mountain or garden views, whilst the superior corner rooms add a little extra breathing space. For a proper treat, the deluxe option comes with its own private outdoor and indoor onsen on the balcony with views of the Five Peaks of the Northern Alps. All rooms have air conditioning, a fridge and Wi-Fi, plus complimentary yukata robes for padding around the corridors.
The sheer volume of hot spring water is staggering! It flows continuously so every soak feels like you're the first one in. In winter, bathing outdoors as snow settles on your head is utterly magical.
Dinner must be booked at least five days ahead, so don't leave it to chance – the kaiseki featuring local Shinshu beef and Golden Gamefowl chicken is the highlight of any stay, and well worth planning around.
It's a traditional ryokan, so beds are futons laid on tatami – cosy but firm, and not ideal if you struggle sleeping close to the floor. However, Western-style bedding can be arranged for some rooms.
Kanbayashi Hotel Senjukaku can be booked with Timbuktu as part of a tailor-made Japan trip, rather than as a standalone room reservation. Start online, customising one of our recommended Japan trips featuring Kanbayashi Hotel Senjukaku or get advice and suggestions from one of our Japan specialists who will design the trip around your dates, check availability and handle every booking for you.
Stays at Kanbayashi Hotel Senjukaku start from around $170, or US$170, per person per night as part of a tailor-made trip. The exact price depends on your travel dates, room type and the shape of the rest of your itinerary. A Timbuktu travel specialist can give you an accurate quote for your dates.
Unlock a world of mysterious onsens and mountain pools where wild macaques soak, and truly get away from it all.
