Oiwakeya Ryokan in Matsumoto

I had the pleasure of staying at Oiwakeya Hotel, a beautiful ryokan that exceeded all my expectations. From the moment I arrived, I was enveloped in a sense of tranquility and tradition. The on-site onsen (hot spring) was the perfect way to unwind and relax.

The rooms, laid with traditional tatami mats, were spotlessly clean and surprisingly spacious. But what truly made my stay special was the incredible food. The dinner and breakfast included with my stay were nothing short of amazing - fresh, local ingredients crafted into delicious, authentic Japanese dishes.

Our family had a wonderful stay at this ryokan. The rooms were beautiful, the meals were memorable, and the service was impeccable and kind. Take a few moments to research etiquette, particularly about how to use onsen, and you'll have a wonderful stay.

You can easily reach it via the metropolitan bus. From the train station, follow the signs to the Matsumoto bus terminal. Take the Utsukushigahara Onsen line to the Tsujido stop. Google maps will tell you to get off at Araibashi stop, but stay on the bus as it loops around to avoid an unnecessary walk down a narrow road. Tsujido is right across from the hotel.

A bit more about the bus: You get on at the rear door. From the machine on your right as you board, take a ticket, which indicates where you got on. There's a screen in the front that tells you what you owe if you get off at the next stop. Drop that in the slot as you get off at the front door. Between 300 and 400 yen as of this writing. The drivers are kind and helpful, so don't panic! Soon you'll be relaxing in the onsen, enjoying a truly Japanese experience.

The location is easy is find. It’s a traditional japanese style ryokan. Even though most of the signs and instructions are in japanese, the service staff took the time to show and explain the facilities and amenities available to us in English. The service staff also took time to explain all the dishes served and the meal was delicious. Would consider to stay in the ryokan again.

This ryokan was a surprising discovery. It's 3-star rating did not reflect the outstanding value it delivered. The Oiwakeya is a spotlessly clean and has an enduring aesthetic that fully conveys the ryokan experience (tatami lined rooms; comfortable futons; shoji screens; exceptional and visually stunning dinners and breakfasts; an invigorating onsen (hot spring pool) ; and much more). Most importantly, the staff, without exception, were extremely courteous, helpful, patient and many of them communicated effectively in English. The ryokan is located on the outskirts of Matsumoto . . . a short 15 min bus ride (the nearest stop was an easy one minute walk). It was situated in a quiet neighborhood. Already missing it . . . and would definitely want to come back !

Beautiful, traditional Japanese ryokan (inn) with friendly, helpful staff. Some speak English well. Breakfast and dinner is included in the plan. The food is exquisitely presented and so many dishes--too many really. Comfortable bedding--futons laid out on the tatami mats. Lovely gardens and perfect hot spring baths-- plus a hot spring foot bath for tired or cold feet! This inn is not in the center of Matsumoto but an easy and short bus (or taxi) ride away. Highly recommended!

Lovely Ryokan experience. We had the local style dinner and breakfasts during our stay and was very delicious and enjoyable there was probably too much food though and was hard to finish everything during the dinners. The private baths they have were fantastic and highly recommended. I did the public baths as well which were also good. They have traditional Yukata to wear around which was also fun.

Very nice Ryokan. Good food. Good onsen. Good atmosphere. It looks like it's been recently renovated, so everything is perfect condition.

Wonderful Ryokan (shoes off at the entrance to the hotel, to sleep on mattresses on the floor, etc.), with gostepriimny owners, great Onsen and interesting food (from the point of view of the presentation is actually one of the best ever seen in the trip). The only thing: the rooms look too much rustic and ustashe.

Best experience one can think of - amazing, amazing place - My wife and I visiting from London stayed here for one night on 20/04/17. During our trip to Japan we stayed at another ryokan that cost nearly 3 times the price of this one and had a 3 Michelin Star meal that cost more than double the price of this place including the (upgraded) GU meal my wife and I had, but this place held its own against the stiff competition from the two that I have mentioned here. The welcome, the service, the meals, the whole ambience of the place are really top class. My wife is a vegetarian and the chef prepared apparently the establishment’s first vegetarian menu that literally was mind blowing. Please do not be put off by the fact that this place is not close to the station. An eMail to them will result in a response that will guide you how to get here and getting to this place is very easy. In fact, my wife and I walked easily to town from this ryokan to spend part of the afternoon in town. This place was an experience that my wife and I are never ever going to forget and I can say for sure that I will happily return to Japan to enjoy this place again.

Friendly staff, very good food, nice room, very nice small gardens with fish. You can taste local wines by glass (to pay additionally).
Private hot tub can be rented and it is quite good - with huge inside and small outside tub. Though outside one is too shallow.
There was an old smell of smoke in the room.
There is no hot tub in every room like in some other ryokans for the same price.
Location is not great.