Best hotels in Yudanaka

As soon as you arrive, Sakeaya's philosophy of nurturing connections with their guests is evident, beginning with a sweet treat and cup of green tea. From there, you'll be shown around the ryokan including the idyllic, steaming onsen, kept away from prying eyes by a grove of bamboo. This charming spot fits right into Yudanaka, where the onsen culture as been an integral part of daily life for centuries. The Snow Monkey Park is just a few minutes away, where the primates enjoy a soak of their own. In fact, the ryokan's onsen is partially fed by the very same spring.

Forming part of the ancient Nakasendo route, one of the main connections between Edo and Kyoto, the Kiso Valley is a stunning location from which to explore Alpine Japan. With a name inspired by the beauty of its rivers and mountains, Yama Mizuki Urara Tsutaya is, needless to say, surrounded by astonishing scenery. The ryoken's design celebrates these views from every corner including the large, spring-fed onsen, which looks out across the mountains. It is authentic in every sense of the word, from the dining to the array of activities on offer – and you can even learn about local crafts and cooking, among other things.

Perched at the end of the Nagano Railway line, Yudanaka, a compact hot spring village, has been drawing visitors for over 1,300 years - and Hotel Tsubakino makes a thoroughly likeable base from which to soak it all in. A modern ryokan steps from the station, it pairs traditional Japanese hospitality with rooftop onsen overlooking the Northern Alps, seasonal kaiseki dinners starring Shinshu beef, and easy access to the famous macaques of Jigokudani.

This hotel offers a wide variety of guest room types, including Japanese-style rooms, Japanese-Western rooms, and special rooms with open-air baths. At night, you can enjoy a view surrounded by mountains typical of Shinshu from the rooms on the Segawa side.

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.

Shibu Hotel has been with everyone since the Showa era. From the first generation, they have carried on the spirit of "hospitality" that welcomes customers with a smile and sends them off with a smile.

Shibu Onsen has a history of 1,300 years and boasts one of the highest amounts of hot spring water and quality. While there are many hot spring hotels that circulate or filter their hot spring water, at Shibu Onsen they provide hot spring water directly from the source, not only in the outdoor baths but also in most of the inn baths. The hotel also uses water straight from the source. As a hot spring inn, they are proud to be able to provide guests with authentic natural hot springs.