Rekishi-No-Yado Kanaguya

Kanaguya was the most unusual and highly unique hotel we have ever stayed at. The artistry in the construction of the hotel brings Japanses culture to life. Every floor and every hallway tells a story. The location is the best for being right in the heart of onsen area and you must go outside into the streets wearing the Yucatan and wooden shoes to klomp around with all the others visiting onsen in the night! And then, if you purchase the dinners, you will be treated to the most authentic meal service ever. So authentic, we couldn't eat everything, but the Japanese couples around d us did! It's like attending a tea ceremony, but for an entire meal. If you can afford Kanaguya, stay here and immerse yourself!

We wanted to stay in a traditional ryokan with access to hot spring baths and Kanaguya ticked all the boxes. I found this guesthouse while researching onsen close to the snow monkey park near Yudanaka Station, which we planned to visit. The fact that it is cited as inspiration for the bathhouse in Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away was another reason for us to want to stay here. A beautiful traditional wooden guesthouse with eight baths, five of them private, and also access to the nine public baths in Shibu Onsen town (although we found these far too hot to actually bathe in, we enjoyed collecting all the stamps on a special towel!). Our room was Japanese style with sliding doors, tatami mats and futons. There was a bath and WC, but no shower, but it’s expected that guests use the hot spring baths available. All amenities are provided including yukata, obi belt, jacket, bathing supplies, and each bath has washing soap, shampoo and conditioner in dispensers. Staff were very friendly, and so polite, although the majority had limited English we did use google translate at times. The multi course dinners were amazing, served in the exquisite dining room at the top of the house, which was originally a theatre, at traditional low tables and seats. Served in beautiful individual ceramic dishes, with multiple appetisers, followed by main dishes, miso soup, rice, and lastly desert. Although not everything was to our taste, the presentation was amazing and it was a wonderful experience trying so many different flavours. We stayed two nights, and the meals were different each night. The guesthouse has a limited website page in English which directs foreigners to book via a specific third party (tour operator), but when I contacted her via the provided email was told the ryokan was closed for renovations during our preferred dates! Not helpful, as presumably they only wish to sell you a tour! I then did a wider search and found the ryokan available to book on Trip.com. Clearly it was not closed! I would definitely recommend staying at Kanaguya and visiting Shibu Onsen if you wish to experience a traditional ryokan.

A magical hot spring resort. I have been to many “older” traditional establishments and this one is definitely the most impressive. It’s really out of this world. The multiple private baths are absolutely fantastic, we did almost all of them and each had a unique feeling. The dining hall is absolutely stunning. Don’t hesitate!

It's was a pleasant small village where everything is within walking distance . Ryokan is definitely WOW factor with very interesting structure and indoor onsens.

酒店內部一共五個私湯，三個公湯，其中一個公湯是露天風呂。在攜程訂沒法選擇餐食，素到不行，建議去酒店官網指向的網站預訂，可以選晚餐吃什麼，有信州牛可選。

中規中矩，日本古老溫泉設計，溫泉池有風味，人不多，很舒服。