The traditional meals for dinner and breakfast were amazing even our very fussy 8 year old tried the dishes and found some new tastes. Brillant experience, it worked so well, we were picked up from the train station, had an amazing dinner and then the rooftop bath. Another amazing meal for breakfast and then dropped off at the Monkey Park where we got to see the monkeys. Then picked up and dropped at the station it worked so well. Staff were fabulous. Some lovely memories made thank you!

Nothing

This ryokan is the perfect blend of East meets West! Here you can experience the magic of a traditional Japanese village while enjoying all the comforts of home. The rooms are spacious, extraordinarily clean, and have everything you need to relax. You can choose between a Japanese-style room, including futon beds, low tables and tatami mats, or select a western designed room with standard beds and furniture. Both are well appointed, thoughtfully furnished spaces. The staff speaks English, and cannot do enough to ensure that your every need is met. The onsens (traditional hot baths) are a delight! While visiting, you can use one of the beautiful indoor onsens, or splurge for a private rooftop open air experience. Meals at Ryokan Biyunoyado are something you absolutely must include in your stay. The Kaiseki feasts are out of this world in both quality and quantity! This kitchen prepares only the finest, freshest ingredients, and the dishes are incredibly diverse. For example, one such meal will include beef, chicken, sashimi, cooked fish, pork, and far too many side dishes to mention. The presentation is extraordinary, easily the finest we have had in all of Japan! Lastly, this hotel is perfectly situated, offering a wide variety of activities for every guest. The hotel provides shuttles to take you up the mountain for skiing or snowboarding in the colder months, or hiking in the warmer months. Just a few minutes away, you can see the famous Snow Monkeys who bathe in their own onsens! We are experienced travelers who have visited all 50 United States and over 60 countries around the world, and we can honestly say that Ryokan Biyunoyado is an exceptional value and a MUST if you are visiting Japan. It's just a train ride away from Tokyo, easy to get to and impossible to forget. Don't hesitate to visit this enchanting place, come visit the "real" Japan. We promise you won't regret it!

Frankly, we felt catered to in every way and do not have any complaints! One very small suggestion would be to offer coffee at breakfast. We like the local tea, but did miss our coffee by day two of our stay. However, all we had to do was ask and coffee was brought to our table immediately. It was such a joy to stay here.

We stayed in the Japanese room which was spacious for the 5 of us. Our beds were made up every night and put away during the day. The breakfasts and dinners were amazing, we couldn't finish the amount that was served. Free shuttle to the monkeys. Rooftop onsen was great, also public onsen on ground level. Staff were all lovely. Lounge on the 3rd floor was great to have a drink with a view. Yudanaka station was 10 minute walk to catch the bus to shiga kogen central area.

It would have been helpful to have laundry service on site but there's a Laundromat fairly close. We used the karaoke room which isn't worth the price unless you're going to make a really big night of it. Our shower never produced any hot water, but you could make do with the bath and bowl. More information in English would have been appreciated about options for ski rentals/schools/ski fields.

The breakfast and dinner was very good. The food was typically Japanese style which we loved, and there was plenty. We booked the rooftop onsen (for a fee), which was quite good. Though as we booked it at night time, you couldn't see any views. There was a cafe a block away, next to the post office, which was pretty good. The guy there is passionate about coffee and is worth checking out. Being from Melbourne and loving a good cup of coffee, my husband loved it. The pick up and drop off from the train station was handy.

The beds weren't made up when we arrived, so we proceeded to take everything from the cupboard and make them ourselves, only to find out later that they usually make them when we're at dinner. They forgot to tell us on check in. Not a great routine if you want to rest after a long day of travel and have nowhere to lie down. Not a big issue.... Also, there's no coffee making facility in your room, you have to buy it from the bar downstairs which is a bit ordinary for the price you pay for the room.

The ryokan had a grand view of the town and mountains. The owner and staff were so warm and welcoming to all the guests. They greeted us with an invitation to their lobby/ leisure area that had a huge bank of windows to view the wonderful scenery and served us hot tea. We were checked in and given keys to our beautiful Japanese style tatami room which also opened up to a beautiful view. Downstairs there was a wonderful double indoor onsen and a soothing outdoor onsen as well. The owner had explained that their onsen water came from the lava springs ( translation?) and resulted in a truly organic experience. There is also a private outdoor onsen which was such an experience. There is so much to say about our wonderfully positive experience. Our lodging included a kaiseki dinner that was truly delicious and so unique. The staff put out our futon bedding while we were at dinner and removed the futon bedding while we were enjoying breakfast. The ryokan hotel is walking distance from the train station but there is a shuttle that will pick you up from the train station when you arrive. They also provide a free scheduled shuttle to the Snow Monkey Park ( take the earlier shuttle, there are fewer crowds ). They have a sister hotel that is also a ski resort( that includes a free shuttle) We would have loved to have stayed longer, and will definitely return.

I wish the banquet areas where they serve the kaiseki dinners and breakfast had the same open view, mood and ambience as the lobby/ leisure/bar area

Great Ryoukan! There is a van (shuttle bus) to and from the yudanaka train station to the ryoukan. You can also walk, but it's an uphill walk. The van will time things to be there when the trains arrive. The same van also takes people to the entrance of the snow monkey park and back. The return trips are timed so you can head straight to the train station again after a quick stop to pick up any luggage at the ryoukan. The room itself was amazing with incredible views. I was only on the 4th floor, the first floor with rooms, and it was incredible. Highly recommend booking the private onsen on rooftop. The traditional dinner and breakfast are also good, if you enjoy traditional Japanese meals. Staff was always helpful, and deferred to English speaking staff to help when needed.

The staff were very helpful, particularly one receptionist. We forgot significant amount of cash in our previous hotel (japanese speaking only), where we could not return due to the lack of trains and our tight schedule (we stayed one night and went to Tokyo). She called both hotels and arranged postal delivery from one to another (it all worked out in the end). Also we thought walking to the monkey park in the morning, so we didn't even check the shuttle schedule and missed it. The same receptionist caught us when we headed out and arranged an extra shuttle to the monkey park: it would be quite long uphill walk otherwise (walking back is nice though, can recommend). We are very grateful for her help!

We stayed 3 nights which I highly recommend to be able to fully experience everything this place has to offer. We had 2 traditional tatami rooms next to each other for our family of 6. While small and a bit hard to fit all our luggage it was what we expected for traditional Japanese rooms in a ryokan. We provided traditional Yukata dress which we wore to breakfast and dinner which was included in our cost. The traditional meals were delicious and so well prepared and served so beautifully in their dining room. The owner was present each evening, greeting all her guests and she even turned up one evening in a beautiful kimono. All their staff were so friendly. We used the private Onsen which were in the rooftop looking over the town. This was truly spectacular and so memorable. We also loved the big open lounge area which had amazing views over Yudanaka town. It was truly breathtaking to watch snow falling while sipping cocktails and hot chocolates from their bar. They also have their own gift shop which had lots of local sweets and biscuits which we loved. They also offer a free shuttle service to the snowfields and to the snow monkeys which was very handy.

We wish there was another later pickup time from the Snow Monkey Park. We felt that the time given between pickup and drop off was not long enough however it was easy to catch a local bus back.

Location was good but staff went out of their way to make an excellent experience of the overall stay. Pick up from drop at wrong bus stop location. Drop at monkey park and pick up…. Drop at train station fro return to Nagano/Toyko. Overall, the facility is first class. Yes, some areas are a little dated but very clean and just a great experience and support from staff. Food (dinner & breakfast) was great, traditional rooms were great and the traditional floor beds were very comfortable. Onsens were clean hot and enjoyable ( two units with prewash facilities).

Nothing bar area was great and again staff went out of the expected to make stay and every aspect of facility was very nice and relaxed.

The staff were incredibly helpful. Even driving us to the snow monkey park as we'd arrived earlier than the shuttle. Their english was really good and they were very happy to accommodate our needs. We stayed in the Deluxe Western Room with open air bath. The room was incredible. Reclining lounges, great size, super comfortable beds and personal balcony onsen! Soaked to our hearts content without leaving the comfort of our room! Hot onsen while snow falls is just beyond amazing. Location was nice and close to the station and food. They do station pick up and transfers and also run a shuttle to the monkey onsen park. Just a really great place to stay!

It was all excellent