Hotel Tsubakino

Spent 3 nights at the hotel; booked the Deluxe Suite which was a corner suite with Japanese-style tatami/living room with a half bath (can accommodate more people if the floor mattresses stored in the closet are laid out), western-style two beds in the bedroom, and a large bathroom with a deep tub where natural onsen flowed. I was glad to have booked the room with onsen as the water temperature could be adjusted ourselves. The dinner and breakfast were incredible; each day was different and so much thoughtfulness in everything. We arrived later than the last dinner seating (7pm) due to flight delays, but the staff was more than accommodating, kept the communication with me while we made our way there and we were able to enjoy the dinner after a long journey. The hotel was extremely clean both in the room and in the common area. Every staff member was courteous and helpful. I had expected the hotel to be great based on all the reviews; it turned out to be beyond my expectations! Travel tip to the hotel: The hotel is within walking distance from Yudanaka Station; we were able to drag our luggage ourselves from the station to the hotel without issues. The journey from Haneda Airport took about 3 hours - we chose to take a taxi to Tokyo Station from Haneda which took about 40 minutes (this was around 4-5pm), and we were able to buy the tickets for the next departing Shinkansen to Nagano at the station with no issues (if taking taxi, make sure to ask to be dropped off at the Yaesu side - Tokyo Station is huge and that's where Shinkansen platforms are). Then at the Nagano Station, follow the signs to Nagano Dentetsu railway line (at the underground level; also called "Nagaden"). Buy tickets to Yudanaka once you get there. Make sure to check the schedule as not every train goes to Yudanaka and some trains will make you get off at Shinshu-Nakano and change to a local train. The Limited Express will take you directly to Yudanaka without a transfer. English-speaking staff was there to help us.

Very Good Ryokan with only a few minutes' walk from the station. And they even provide a shuttle bus, even though its so close, which is somewhat unnecessary for me. Overall the service and food is good. For Onsen, the indoor Onsen is too hot for me, but the outdoor one is around the right temperature. If you like the high-temperature Onsen, then you should try the indoor one.

We had a wonderful stay at Hotel Tsubakino! Very polite and helpful team (using Google Translate to communicate!), incredibly delicious and exquisitely beautiful dinner and breakfast. Great location 3 mins walk from station/Snow Monkey forest bus. We also really liked using the onsen over the road.. once we'd figured out how to! We appreciated the clothing provided and enjoyed wearing the yukata. All in all it felt like a very Japanese experience and we enjoyed it very much.