Amazing onsen! In particular, there are two private open-air onsen that can be reserved on a first-come-first-serve basis, and are located next to the river (about 3 mins walk from the ryokan). The only issue I had is that rooms do not come with toilet - need to use a common toilet.

We had a great stay here in April 2018. Wonderful Japanese style room with view on the river. Great breakfast and dinner. And awesome hot natural baths (onsen) both inside the hotel and outside the hotel, 5 steps away to the river. We had a bath outside while it was snowing, very memorable!

Surrounded by mountains and trees and rivers that you cannot see any other buildings in the area; and one must cross a suspension bridge to get to the hotel. It was aged yet the conditions are still good. You can almost feel the history as you walk inside. Staff are nice and very helpful and can speak general English. Dinner is great and delicious. Room is big and tidy. Heating is enough in room and in indoor area of hotel (I stay in winter where temperature is like -5 dc outside). No toilets and bathroom inside the rooms but a washing basin. Indoor bathroom and hot spring are okay. Open air hot spring is very large (20 persons will not be a problem) and is open to the river and mountains. 2 Private hot spring are available without extra charges - all you need is to make a reversation in counter. One private hot spring is excellent and the other is just okay. The counter staff will recommend the better one if it is not occupied. || If you love hot spring and the nature and want to stay far from town and people, this hotel is great. But if you look for a hotel that is convenient with different facilities, it is not that kind of hotel. || Although it is one bus stop from cable car station, do not try to walk from there in winter as the road is covered with snow. Surrounded by the nature means there is literally nothing else nearby.

A great stay with good outdoor onsens overlooking the mountains.

What a hotel! Surrounded by mountains and a lively river stream, this hotel has the best possible location (provided you have a car to reach)! Rooms are clean and the small balcony opens up facing the stream. Balcony has (i think) a heated mattress under the carpet so you feel comfortable sitting in the balcony sipping a hot Ocha in 0 degrees Celsius watching the little snowfall! This is just an awesome experience! Definitely going there again!

What a hotel! Surrounded by mountains and a lively river stream, this hotel has the best possible location (provided you have a car to reach)! Rooms are clean and the small balcony opens up facing the stream. Balcony has (i think) a heated mattress under the carpet so you feel comfortable sitting in the balcony sipping a hot Ocha in 0 degrees Celsius watching the little snowfall! This is just an awesome experience!Definitely going there again!

It was one of the most peaceful experiences we have had. You can't beat a raging river next to natural hot springs. The rain made it even more magical.

It was one of the most peaceful experiences we have had. You cant beat a raging river next to natural hot springs. The rain made it even more magical.

Beautiful setting in the mountains. Close to the rope way for hiking. Warm saunas overlooking raging river. Dinner is a bit pricey but there is a nice little restaurant two kilometers down the road with good food at a reasonable price.

We had an amazing stay at Shinzanso. Getting here can be a little difficult but it is well worth the journey. We did the full board which included the dinner and breakfast and we enjoyed both of our meals. The check-in process was fairly quick and we used signed up for our private onsen time with tons of options for time slots. The Onsen was the most spectacular thing we have done. You cannot imagine the feeling you have when you are surrounded by natural beauty while soaking in the hot spring. If you are going to be in the area or even remotely close, please make a stop here. You will not regret it.

The hotel staff is very helpful. My car was stuck in deep snow and it couldn't move forward or back. The hotel staff handles it all for me and I could just proceed to check in and enjoy the onsen!