Awanoyu

“Remote, Romantic Mountain Getaway”

It takes some work to get to this mountain ryokan, but the effort is rewarded with an authentic experience including fabulous milky-water spring-fed baths. We were in a spacious 6th floor two-room suite with a generous entry area (#301). It was very well-maintained, clean and comfortable. We were… more

It takes some work to get to this mountain ryokan, but the effort is rewarded with an authentic experience including fabulous milky-water spring-fed baths. We were in a spacious 6th floor two-room suite with a generous entry area (#301). It was very well-maintained, clean and comfortable. We were surprised to find a large tv in the sitting room. The traditional Japanese style bedding was easy to sleep on. The provided yukatas and wraps that went over them for warmth were also quite stylish. They are worn throughout the property—no need for street clothes once you check in. Dinner and breakfast served in a private dining room by the kindest staff. Meals were good and made us happy enough (don’t expect Michelin star sort of dining though). The real star is the baths. Fantastic and among the best we’ve experienced having visited about a dozen over the years. They are so authentic and lacking in any pretension but aesthetically wonderful. Inside the men have a very hot bath and a warm bath. There is also a small male warm outdoor bath attached to the interior ones. Then there is the mixed sex large outside bath with temperatures that vary depending upon where you sit. Through a clever way to enter the milky water, both sexes can be discreet by being submerged in the opaque water before the other sex can see you—so don’t worry about being naked with the opposite sex. Overall I would highly recommend a night here for a relaxing and romantic getaway (note: we also saw plenty of families with older teen children and some groups of friends). Just brace yourself for the drive up because it is an adventure :)

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“Very pleasant staff, lovely onsen ”

We spent a day and night here in April just after it opened for the season. With snow still on the ground it was very beautiful. The ryokan itself is comfortable if a little tired in places but the food is superlative and the onsen is very well laid out. There is a games room with ping pong and TVs… more

We spent a day and night here in April just after it opened for the season. With snow still on the ground it was very beautiful. The ryokan itself is comfortable if a little tired in places but the food is superlative and the onsen is very well laid out. There is a games room with ping pong and TVs in the bedrooms. The futons were very comfortable. Highly recommend.

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“Great Hospitality, Beautiful Ryokan”

We reach Awanoyu within 1,5 hours bus ride from Matsumoto Bus Station (just the front side of Matsumoto JR Station), the ryokan is located at Shirahone Onsen Town. If you're not driving, one of the best way to reach the ryokan is with bus (if you take train from Matsumoto Sta. you need to change to… more

We reach Awanoyu within 1,5 hours bus ride from Matsumoto Bus Station (just the front side of Matsumoto JR Station), the ryokan is located at Shirahone Onsen Town. If you're not driving, one of the best way to reach the ryokan is with bus (if you take train from Matsumoto Sta. you need to change to bus halfway there). You can purchase the Alpico Bus ticket (one way/round trip) through a ticket machine at Matsumoto Station. The bus stop is just in front of the Ryokan. The Ryokan building is relatively new (or newly renovated) and well kept, the rooms are decent as well. What we loved most about our room are the Kotatsu (heater table) as the peak winter can be so cold! The bath itself, is one of the most beautiful bath that I've been to in Japan (been to 3-4 other ryokans at Gunma and Fukuoka) the sulphur based water really gives beautiful blue/turquoise colour, especially during winter mornings. They said if you're bathing there for three straight days, you won't catch a cold for a whole year! Other things that I loved about the bath, is the entrance! The female and male has separate entrance, they provided bath robe (it's like a tube dress) for the females and they have pool entrance inside the changing room (on the outer changing hut area) so no need to hurry when entering the bath for fear being stared at (oh I know the feeling) The water temperature isn't as hot as most ryokan there is, but I kinda like it. I finally able to bath more than an hour straight without feeling too much heated. I gave a 4 stars rating due to the price, for the price they publish, I could get to another ryokan that has equally wonderful service but has more baths options (this Ryokan has only one bath and shared)

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“Amazing hospitality. Authentic ryokan experience.”

This is a traditional Japanese Ryokan. Not new, not modern, but the real experience. The rooms are big, clean and comfortable. It's located in the middle of nowhere. We got there by car, in winter time. The roads were in great condition and safe despite the snow and ice. The surroundings are specta… more

This is a traditional Japanese Ryokan. Not new, not modern, but the real experience. The rooms are big, clean and comfortable. It's located in the middle of nowhere. We got there by car, in winter time. The roads were in great condition and safe despite the snow and ice. The surroundings are spectacular. The service and the kaiseki dinner were great.

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