We loved the yukatas, helpful staff, bright umbrellas to use in the rain, amazing breakfast and soothing onsen.

We chose this hotel for its location in the middle of the village, within a reasonable walkable distance from the station and to the Monkey park. The staff were absolutely lovely and the traditional Japanese breakfast and evening meal were superb. Our room was a really large traditional Japanese style bedroom with futons on the floor. It also had plenty of storage space. We had a private toilet, but it didn’t have a shower or bath. However, the hotel’s own Onsen was so close it made using it preferable to using a shower. This was our first experience of using an onsen and it made it our preference whenever available elsewhere. It also had a room where you could sit and paint or have coffee. The monkeys at the park were so much fun that we were there for hours.

The hotel is a traditional Japanese Ryokan with rooms complete with Japanese decor, tea and futon type beds. The whole hotel’s ambiance was very zen and taste fully decorated. There is even relaxing music playing in your room when you check in. The hotel has its’ own hot spring/bath. There is no private shower in the rooms, which may bother some westerners but did not bother us. You also have access to the 9 public baths throughout town when staying here. All in all lovely stay but staff speak very limited English so be ready with your phrase book or try to learn some Japanese before you go.

The hotel is a traditional Japanese Ryokan with rooms complete with Japanese decor, tea and futon type beds. The whole hotel’s ambiance was very zen and taste fully decorated. There is even relaxing music playing in your room when you check in. The hotel has its’ own hot spring/bath. There is no private shower in the rooms, which may bother some westerners but did not bother us. You also have access to the 9 public baths throughout town when staying here. All in all lovely stay but staff speak very limited English so be ready with your phrase book or try to learn some Japanese before you go.

Staff is very friendly with good service. Room is quite big. Ametities is goos. Dinner and Breakfast are delicious.

The night spend at 榮和春蘭之宿 was fantastic. We spent our evening walking through the little community, the street was filled with shops and onsen, view along was amazing!! The resort itself was also very nice, the room was comfortable and cozy. People were welcoming! Also the breakfast and diner served with traditional japanese style food was perfect!

A comfortable inn with friendly staff. Some English spoken. Stayed for two nights and the meals very delicious. Close to Snow Monkeys and a short taxi ride from station. Would stay here next time without hesitation.

My partner and I spent Christmas Eve at this Ryokan, and it was probably the best night of our trip. The dinner was incredible, the baths were pristine and beautiful, the staff incredibly accommodating. Japanese hospitality at its finest. Seriously, book this one.

My partner and I spent Christmas Eve at this Ryokan, and it was probably the best night of our trip. The dinner was incredible, the baths were pristine and beautiful, the staff incredibly accommodating. Japanese hospitality at its finest. Seriously, book this one.

We loved this place. The food was amazing. We asked for vegetarian/vegan food and they accomodated so well... in fact, I would say that was probably top 5 best meals we ever had. They got so creative with the veggies and we were treated to an 11 course banquet. I wish I could re-live those meals. The staff was amazing and so polite - even by Japanese standards. They spoke well enough English but one of the wait staff even wrote a note to us when we left apologizing for not speaking English. Thats kind of really amazing that they would apologize to us since were in their Country hehe. But overall just wonderful experience. The Ryokan was gorgeous and clean and roomy. Nicely situated in the heart of Shibu Onsen (Some of the less expensive places are a bit further away from the very quaint and beautiful area). I would highly recommend hiking up to the monkey park from the hotel. Its about 2.5 miles and pretty steep but wow, what an amazing site. Highlight of our trip. I would definitely re-visit this Ryokan and have that wonderful meal again. I would recommend getting the vegetarian meal even if youre not vegetarian. IT was amazingly good!!!

We loved this place. The food was amazing. We asked for vegetarian/vegan food and they accomodated so well... in fact, I would say that was probably top 5 best meals we ever had. They got so creative with the veggies and we were treated to an 11 course banquet. I wish I could re-live those meals. The staff was amazing and so polite - even by Japanese standards. They spoke well enough English but one of the wait staff even wrote a note to us when we left apologizing for not speaking English. That's kind of really amazing that they would apologize to us since we're in their Country hehe. But overall just wonderful experience. The Ryokan was gorgeous and clean and roomy. Nicely situated in the heart of Shibu Onsen (Some of the less expensive places are a bit further away from the very quaint and beautiful area). I would highly recommend hiking up to the monkey park from the hotel. It's about 2.5 miles and pretty steep but wow, what an amazing site. Highlight of our trip. I would definitely re-visit this Ryokan and have that wonderful meal again. I would recommend getting the vegetarian meal even if you're not vegetarian. IT was amazingly good!!!

When you first pull up to Sakaeya, it doesn't look that impressive - and the lobby looks alright, but nothing amazing. Then you go upstairs. Wow! The hallways are beautiful, and the porter leads you down to your room (to which they've already taken your luggage for you while you were checking in). Our room was absolutely beautiful - the A/C was already on, background music was playing inside the room, and it was the nicest room of our entire trip for sure (and definitely the fanciest Washlet of all...it even opened its own lid automatically when you opened the bathroom door!) The on-site onsen was also lovely - we made sure to use the outdoor one - and the walking route to the 9 public ones was nice and close too.

When you first pull up to Sakaeya, it doesnt look that impressive - and the lobby looks alright, but nothing amazing.Then you go upstairs. Wow! The hallways are beautiful, and the porter leads you down to your room (to which theyve already taken your luggage for you while you were checking in). Our room was absolutely beautiful - the A/C was already on, background music was playing inside the room, and it was the nicest room of our entire trip for sure (and definitely the fanciest Washlet of all...it even opened its own lid automatically when you opened the bathroom door!) The on-site onsen was also lovely - we made sure to use the outdoor one - and the walking route to the 9 public ones was nice and close too.

We were welcomed with the traditional tea and hot cloths. We were given lovely yukata (robes) that were worn around the small town to go to the onsen(baths). We had beautifully presented delicious 8 course meals for less than $50 per person. There were top shelf facial products. The onsen was elegant. It's near the Snow Monkey park. It's quite a hike to get up there. We could have arranged transportation for part of it. The monkeys showed up around 10:45 am. It was fantastic! One ran between my husbad's legs. There were so many of them!

We were welcomed with the traditional tea and hot cloths. We were given lovely yukata (robes) that were worn around the small town to go to the onsen(baths). We had beautifully presented delicious 8 course meals for less than $50 per person. There were top shelf facial products. The onsen was elegant. Its near the Snow Monkey park. Its quite a hike to get up there. We could have arranged transportation for part of it. The monkeys showed up around 10:45 am. It was fantastic! One ran between my husbads legs. There were so many of them!

We were welcomed with the traditional tea and hot cloths. We were given lovely yukata (robes) that were worn around the small town to go to the onsen(baths). We had beautifully presented delicious 8 course meals for less than $50 per person. There were top shelf facial products. The onsen was elegant. Its near the Snow Monkey park. Its quite a hike to get up there. We could have arranged transportation for part of it. The monkeys showed up around 10:45 am. It was fantastic! One ran between my husbads legs. There were so many of them!

Wonderful! Made to feel at home. True insight into Japanese lifestyle

This Onsen is very traditional. The staff were lovely and helpful, the place spotless and very pleasant. We loved the hot spring baths, especially the outside one.

This Onsen is very traditional. The staff were lovely and helpful, the place spotless and very pleasant.We loved the hot spring baths, especially the outside one.

Amazing experience, we stayed there as part of a quick tour that was tacked onto a work trip so we didn't have time to learn alot of Japanese. And getting there was challenging, however a little effort goes along way. Once we got to the hotel we were shown our room and all the comforts by the front desk, which be prepared it's two futon mattresses and down comforters with liner. Very warm (though we were there when it was 90F during the day). View from the room was splendid, and as we only had one night we had to check out at 11 the front desk held our bags as we took the bus up to monkey park (also gave us help on using the bus and when to show up, we had a JRail pass that covered the bus). Only real complaints were little to communicate (really that's our issue though) and breakfast only takes reservations (which goes back likely to the whole language barrier). Otherwise I totally want to go again but try to learn more than 10 words. (Plus winter time you'll see the monkeys in the hot springs and the hot springs might be slightly more desirable)