This is such a beautiful Ryokan with amazing staff who you can tell really care about Kashiwaya. It was our first Ryokan experience and could not be faulted. The meals were some of the best we've ever had (the vegan option which was exquisite) and it felt home!y and warm being there from the foyer to the rooms to the dining. We loved sitting on the balcony enjoying some staff picked sake as it started snowing while we wore our yukatas! And again being in the private onsens (our first time!) as it started snowing...it was something we will not forget.We'll be back next time we're in Japan and were sad to leave. Thanks to all the staff there for a beautiful and meaningful experience.

Everything was perfect!

Our stay at this ryokan was nothing short of extraordinary. From the moment we arrived, we felt warmly welcomed by the incredibly kind and attentive staff. Their hospitality set the tone for what would be an unforgettable experience. The food was a true highlight and exceeded all expectations. Both the traditional Japanese-style breakfast and dinner were meticulously prepared and presented, offering an authentic culinary journey that left us in awe. Each dish was a masterpiece, showcasing the artistry and tradition of Japanese cuisine. The ryokan's location was like stepping into a dream—a perfect blend of serene beauty and authentic charm. It provided the ideal base for exploring the area's traditional culture while immersing ourselves in the tranquility of nature. Every detail of our stay reflected the ryokan's commitment to providing an authentic Japanese experience. We left feeling refreshed, inspired, and incredibly grateful for the opportunity to stay in such a special place. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a true taste of Japan's hospitality and culture.

What is there to say! A truly magical place absolutely worth visiting. The highlight of our trip, hands down. Staff was SO kind. Somehow during the booking process on booking.com my partner’s information was not saved during the “second guest” selection, meaning I literally only booked this twin room with balcony for myself. It was still expansive so I didn’t think anything of it (and this hadn’t come up at any other hotel during our long trip). Fortunately my partner speaks Japanese and was able to communicate that there was in fact two of us on this reservation. They were able to update the booking but I’m still confused how that info didn’t save on booking.com! The private onsen are beyond dreamy. It rained during our trip so we spent a lot of time in the onsen while it was either down pouring or sprinkling and it was still a vibe. The dinners and breakfasts were very 5-star-esque. We chose western breakfast and it was still pretty Japanese inspired. We are adventurous eaters so we had no problem clearing all our dishes, but please be fully prepared to eat things like steamed vegetables for breakfast, sugar beans for dinner, a snail here or there, and fruit wine so sweet it’s like fruit punch. Everything was beautifully prepared and you are treated like royalty at your very own table for the duration of your stay. I’m already dreaming of my next visit to Gunma! I wish we had done more than 2 nights.

My stay at Kashiwaya Ryokan was special and memorable. I encourage any westerner who is curious about Japanese culture, ryokan and onsen to go and experience this wonderful place. The staff communicated excellently with me in English. I can only speak a few words of Japanese. Right from check in I felt incredibly welcome and comfortable. Everything about using the onsen was explained, as was how to wear the yukata and what to expect. On my first visit to Japan and with almost no Japanese I was nervous to travel outside Tokyo but was so glad I did. The food was absolutely 5 stars (and there was lots of it - you won't need lunch) and accommodated my vegetarian diet despite a last-minute booking. Staff were helpful and understanding. As a westerner I'm sure I did the wrong thing 100 times (despite trying really really hard!) but everyone was supportive of my clumsy efforts and terrible Japanese! Room was peaceful and it was wonderful to stay in a tatami room and sleep on a futon. The private onsen were beautiful and relaxing. Transport: I took the highway bus from Tokyo and despite being the only westerner on board I found it a very easy process. The only downside is that you arrive at about midday so there are a few hours to fill in before 3pm check in, although the staff happily took my bag. I took the local bus, local train and shinkansen back to Tokyo as it was a faster option and I could leave right after check out. This was also pretty straightforward although I'd advise Googling how to catch a bus in Japan and booking the Shinkansen in advance if you can. If you don't speak Japanese don't worry too much. People were very helpful. Most people speak enough English to help you out if you're in trouble, especially bus drivers and staff at railway stations. There are some good hikes around Shima Onsen and plenty to explore with the local map that the staff at Kashiwaya will give you. The hikes are pretty steep so take appropriate footwear.

Nothing - it was perfect

Kashiwaya Ryokan was a wonderful place to stay in Shima. It's located right off the bus stop and is a pleasant walking distance to many other places in Shima. The food was amazing, and every meal as to be savored with all the senses. The service fantastically patient with us. One of the staff, Andrew, provided us with great recommendations on on places to eat in Nagano, our next stop. The three private onsen are a particular delight, giving people uncomfortable with public onsen the opportunity to get used to what an onsen is like. I would highly recommend this place for first time American onsen tourists, especially because it is tattoo friendly.

The place is a little expensive, but I personally think it is well worth the price. The walls are a bit thin, and we were able to hear some of the louder noises from a neighbor's room. A ryokan happy hour, like some other ryokan offer, would be nice.

I absolutely adore this ryokan, it's the second time I've been here and it's just amazing. The staff are super lovely, the hotel is huge and clean and smells great, it has three private beautiful hotsprings, and the food is amazing. They said it would be a bit tough to make vegetarian food for one person, but every day I had a personalized menu and it was so delicious! The whole town is just adorable and the hiking in the area is great.

It would be nice if they still offered vegan food for one guest like in the past.

The relaxing atmosphere! We also appreciate that all the staff speaked english, so it was very easy to understand the rules inside the ryokan! Also, it’s not a problem if you have tattoes because inside there are 3 private onsen and when you are inside one of this, nobody else can enter! The cuisine was exquisite! Suggestion for every guest: don’t bring anything with you! Inside you will found everything you need! From tootbrush to hairdryer and all kind of stuff. You will stay all day with the yukata that you will find into the ryokan. You can leave your luggage in your car, nonody will take it and in this way you won’t ruin the precious tatami. After all, is a place where you will strip yourself of everything!

Mi è piaciuto tutto! Forse mi sarebbe piaciuto dormire in un futon per completare l’esperienza!

Exceptional hospitality and service at this ryokan. Fairly easy to find and access the bus. The meals and breakfasts were perfect and they give you a wide array of food based on your choice. The rooms were of traditional Japanese style and the whole place was clean. The private onsens were spot on and amazing to relax in while looking up at the mountains and easy to access.

Nothing it was the perfect stay for a few nights.

I like the private onsen which is well maintained. I commend the staff - front desk, dining hall and to the one who welcome and send me off. apparently, i met the owner 3x in just one night of stay. He offered a ride to the town but i didnt know he is so i declined.

Breakfast is so elaborate. I wish there are fewer dishes but with more meat. Too much variety. Dinner is fine.

We were able to have a true Japanese experience. During our one night stay, we experimented the three private onsen and they were all amazing (we have tattoos and it was not an issue) ! We were also able to enjoy Shima Onsen thanks to the free bike rental service of the hotel The food was great ! Compliments to the chef for the quality of the ingredients and the play on textures. One bit of advice : we had the vegan traditional kaiseki meal and we would’ve liked it more had we not eaten a heavy lunch. Don’t eat a lot on the day of the kaiseki meal because it is quite a bit of food, delicious yes, but still a lot if you’re not prepared ! The ryokan’s staff was welcoming, friendly and helpful. It was a nice touch to have a two way script in English/Japanese when we arrived as we could communicate with them :)

To say we did not like something is strong, however one way of improving would be to have English books on Japanese culture in the library, or any English books for that matter