The breakfast and dinner were amazing. sadly I missed one of the dinner due to delay coming back on the day Nagano encountered heavy snowfall. I am also very grateful to the staff for their top notch service. they definitely went the extra mile, and I would love to compliment them and share how they took good care of me during my stay. When I was caught in the train delay due to snowfall, they got worried when I didn’t turn up for dinner. as they couldn’t reach me (my local sim was data only and they didn’t use WhatsApp), they contacted Singapore embassy which got in touch to make sure I was safe. when I finally reached Yudanaka station, a staff was already waiting to send me back to the ryokan in the mini bus. I got back cold and hungry, and the staff contributed rice dumpling snacks and made a simple hot soup for me. Very thankful! the next day, I tried to set off early but snowfall was still very heavy. the plan was to send me to yudanaka, and hopefully I could get a train to shinshu-nakano and then Nagano. But alas, the train was suspended, and while many travelers were waiting aimlessly in the waiting room, the lady staff came back to find me (I was so touched!) and told me she would drive me to shinshu-nakano where trains have a better chance of departing. she also came back to remind the train master to inform me in English when trains are ready. I finally made it out on a limited express train by 11+am. I wouldn’t believe any ryokan would go this far to care for their guests! big thanks to all of them!

none!

Absolutely stunning and exceptional hospitality. Highlights included: - really friendly and helpful staff - the beautiful meals that we got, and the full ryokan experience - free transfers to the station and the monkey park - both the on-site onsen (includes an outdoor area so you can watch the stars as well) and the access to the 9 public baths and the very stylish yukata/bag they provide you to keep your things in

There was nothing we didn't like! But we thought it was quite funny that the music in the lobby was always acoustic guitar covers of songs by the Beatles (no vocals but we recognised the tunes). Maybe they could mix up the playlist a little to include some Japanese music that fits the vibe.

The staff were super polite and helpfull with everything we needed. The location is great and perfect to do The Sotoyu (The 9 onsen in the town - you can buy The towel in the hotel (500 ¥) to get the stamps all the way). The meals were fantastic. A lot of variety the breakfast and dinner, all japanese style. The room was great, with private toilet and bath, and there's a onsen at the hotel on the rooftop (6th floor) with a outside onsen as well. We enjoyed at night in winter, it was magical. There is a free pick-up from the Yudanaka station and free transfer back as well. You can wear yukata and geta all the time and the city's vibe is awesome.Please, explore the local food and family restaurants. I really recomend the ryokan and hope to come back again anytime

The ryokan staff was super hospitable and the service was phenomenal at Suminoyu. The free pickup service at Yudanaka Station offered by the ryokan made travel so much more simpler and hassle-free. On the day of checkout, we were able to hold our luggage with them, utilize the free shuttle offered by the ryokan to the Snow Monkey Park, and come back to pick it up. We had asked them to help us call a taxi to Yudanaka Station but they instead offered to shuttle us there, which was very unexpected but very much appreciated. The food was also excellent, with a well balanced menu in the kaiseki dinner. All of this combined made for a truly unforgettable experience for our family, and I recommend this ryokan to anyone looking to be in the Shibu Onsen area and/or for the Snow Monkey Park.

The heating in the room was a little weak and it felt a little chilly.

Stunning property - excellent service from everyone we encountered. Terrifically traditional Japanese with a retro- modern twist. The meals were amazing kaiseiki style with so many delicious and special Japanese dishes using regional ingredients. Truly incredibly delicious and so worth it. Suminoyu is the real deal and it doesn’t pretend to be anything it is not.

I liked nearly everything though was surprised they only set out our futon beds the 1st night, but didn’t put them away the next day and then set out our futon the 2nd night we stayed. That may have been my fault because when aimed at check in if I wanted “cleaning” both nights we visited I said no thank you. I was unhappy we had to leave so early after check out because the hotel onsen is being cleaned from 10-14:00 and when you check out you lose your key the the 9 onsen bathhouses in Shibuonsen onsen. So we kind of had to get moving on out of town right at check out. I did really appreciate and the shuttle buses Suminoyu provided. They picked us up from Yudanaka station, took us to the monkey park (one way), and took us back to the train station when we checked out. That was very nice!

The village is small, so a quaint place to stay at the top end and very polite, welcoming staff. Upon arrival, we were provided slippers for inside the hotel and shown to our Japanese style room. Having the experience of sleeping on futons, eating Japanese food and wearing appropriate clothing (and not clogs), as well as experiencing close by Onsens, was a special experience. We got picked up from the train station by free shuttle minibus and also taken to the Snow Monkey park the next day. The food was served in a Japanese styled room and we sat on the floor eating a range of well prepared and different food, with service second to none.

There was no shower in our room, but no issues for one night with multiple Onsens very nearby.

Absolutely loved our stay here. Our room was gorgeous and massive, with two beds and Tatami area. The baths upstairs were amazing, the authentic Japanese meals, dinner and breakfast were amazing and the presentation was 10/10 at the tatami tables. The staff were lovely and we loved the robes we were given, they thought of absolutely everything for us. The fact you have access to other baths too is great, can’t recommend this place enough!

Loved everything, only improvement would’ve been a shower or bath in the room, but wasn’t a big inconvenience at all to go upstairs.

Everything about this hotel was incredible! The staff were simply outstanding! They were so kind, knowledgeable, generous of their time and just lovely people. The hotel itself had a great public bath area and was on a beautifully lantern lane. If you notify the staff they will pick you up from the train station and drop you back there also. The hotel also drop you off to the monkey park in the morning if you would like. The dinner and breakfast which were included were 110% outstanding. Exceptional Japanese cuisine! Presented just beautifully! We could not finish all of the food ! Thank you for making our stay just perfect!

Everything

Overall, we enjoyed our stay, with some improvements we feel that can be made. Plenty of things to like with a nice room (though there is limited space to hang clothes, and a few extra hooks on the walls can be an easy fix for this) with toilet and sink, as well as a nice onsen on the roof. Staff was very friendly, both at reception and in the restaurant. Hotel is very clean, and there are options for pickup and drop off at the station, as well as a drop off at the park for the snow monkeys. Food at dinner and breakfast is decent and nicely presented, though also a bit limited and mostly vegetables. While there is some meat/fish included, we felt this was a bit limited.

A few things can be better we feel, such as adding some hangers in the room, but also to include blinds or something that blocks the light. We had a room with a small hallway, and while the light from the main window was blocked, there was nothing blocking the light from the hallway window, making our room very bright very early. Onsen is nice, but if the hotel is full, it is slightly crowded. As mentioned above, we feel the food is slightly limited and heavy on the vegetables (a lot of mushrooms for both dinner and especially breakfast). While the food is of good taste, a bit more meat/fish would be nice. Only one towel is handed out, and an extra towel would be useful. Also feel the checkout time is very early at 10am, leaving little room to do anything in the morning.

The Dinner and Breakfast was fantastic and dining in our kimono's that they supply each person with was excellent and relaxing; this made us feel like we were at home. The meals were 5 star 5 course with authentic tastes of true Japan! The place went beyond my expectations with the location and the kind staff (Satoru)that helped with any questions of places to see or visit in the area with his guidance we were able to go and see it all. Honestly, I tried all 9 Onsen in town but Suminoyu Ryokan to my surprise with the breathtaking mountain views and cool breeze is my favorite not to mention the views from your room is a bonus not to be missed! I wished I would have booked more nights.