Nakaoyama Onsen Shosenkaku in Nagano

Stayed for 2 nights during Christmas.

Nakaoyama Onsen was off the beaten path, but having a car made it easier to travel to our daily destinations. We also ate in the Nagano area, so we did not try the food at the Onsen. There was a lot of heavy snow and ice during our stay, however, the staff made sure the access road was maintained routinely.

Inside, the rooms are definitely showing their age. The beds and pillows were like rock slabs, making it hard to sleep.

The onsen was the amazing. Loved the stone features, the mini waterfall, and the hot water was perfect after our snow filled adventure in Nagano.

The staff were great too. They politely asked us about our adventures, made sure our stay was pleasant to the best of their ability, and we enjoyed the extra supplies when we returned in the evenings.

The rooms may be outdated and I would bring your own car and pillows. The service is amazing and the onsen was so relaxing. Highly recommend for anyone looking for an affordable traditional Japanese inn near Nagano.

【桜に包まれる、贅沢な一夜】
We stayed one night at Nakaoyama Onsen Shousenkaku, drawn in by the promise of a cherry blossom bath — and that alone made the trip worth it. Watching delicate petals drift in the wind while soaking in our private rotenburo was pure poetry, the kind of quiet luxury that lingers in the mind long after check-out.

Dinner was another highlight — a comforting nabe anchored by a deeply flavorful chicken broth, clearly the pride of the kitchen. Alongside it came a thoughtful selection of local specialties, and a sake tasting set that, while slightly uneven, was still a joy to explore.

That said, the ryokan shows its age. The bones are beautiful, but maintenance has been neglected. The “Omiai” onsen, once charming with its romantic lore and shrine, now feels forgotten — the tiny altar nearly collapsing, the magic dimmed.

Service was polite but impersonal, and the overall atmosphere lacked the warmth or personal touch you might hope for in a countryside inn. Payment is cash only, which feels out of step for travelers today.

Still, for families, it’s quite accommodating — with kid-friendly touches and laundry machines that make longer stays easier. If you come, come in spring. Book the room with the sakura bath. Let that moment be your memory.

🌟Normally this would have been three stars stay for me, but the cherry blossom experience adds a star to the overall rating🌸

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【Features】
🚘 Parking: Available
🍽️ Order: Chicken nabe, sake tasting set
🔠 English manuals available in the room
👶🏻 Family-friendly: Toys, baby seats available
🧺 Laundry: Washing machines available for guests
💰 Payment: ❌Cash Only
🔙 Would I visit again? 🟰 Perhaps

We had an amazing two evenings here. We went for the private onsen room and would 100% recommend. Depending on your travels, location is a little out the way from Nagano station (20-25 minute drive - which is about ¥4000-5000 via taxi from Nagano Station). Otherwise you can catch the train from Imai station and take a walk or short taxi there. Staff were lovely and really helpful! We were lucky enough to be there during the snow and the onsen experience while watching snowfall is something out of this world.

Due to an older building, mold appeared on the walls in the hallway.
The rooms are more clean and clean, feeling more focused on room hygiene than the hallway.

The location is remote, the drive feels a bit far.

For service, once you arrive, check in, a staff member explains the hotel facilities, takes you on a tour and takes you to your room. I Order dinner this time, there is a dedicated person to serve and explain, there is a room to sit, a very large room, very quiet room. Breakfast will be eaten in the lobby of a restaurant, are explained by a dedicated person. The 2 meals are generous in portion and taste medium.

Nice location and off the beaten path. An easy 15 minute drive to most things we wanted to see; zoo, central Nagano, Nagano station. Easy parking, nice relaxing hot bath on balcony. It was an older Ryoken but maintained and Friendly staff.

The amount of food seemed to be large for women, but the variety of side dishes was delicious. The hot water in the open-air bath was lukewarm, and I thought it might have been cooled by the outside air, but the hot water that came out was also lukewarm, so I wanted the temperature to be raised a little more.

Enjoy your private onsen/hot tub in the Winter months. Be organised, and arrange to have your dinner and breakfast in the hotel. The food is epic. Limited English, so bring your Google Translate with you. This was our second time here, and they arranged for us to have the same room!

Day trip with children
I enjoyed the waterfall-like atmosphere of the hot water that was struck both indoors and outdoors. (Because there were no other customers)
Also, the open-air bath wasn't too hot, and even children could stay in it for a long time.

I didn't use the famous matchmaking window, and if my wife came, I might have been happy with my child.