3-Star Hotels in Nagano Prefecture, Japan

First of all, the two staff at the check-in counter showed a very strong sense of job burnout on their faces, and the whole check-in process was not very pleasant. However, the next morning during check-out, the ladies at the counter were very professional and everything felt fine. After entering the room, I found it to be very stuffy and hot. When I turned on the air conditioning, it was only heating. Since the weather outside was quite cool, I understand that the system is centrally controlled and set to heating. I then tried opening the window, but it could only be opened a small amount. For some reason, no fresh air was coming in, and the room still felt very stuffy. Later, I went down to the counter (again, the same two male staff from check-in) to ask if the air conditioning could be switched to cooling, but my request was rejected. I then asked if it was possible to borrow a fan, and they refused again with a very impatient attitude. Overall, the stay was not a very good experience. The room itself was actually fine, but it was too stuffy. I hope this review can be helpful to others.

The location is a huge plus, right opposite Nagano Station's Zenkoji Exit. The room was clean and tidy, and the bedding was soft, so I slept really well. My only minor gripe is that the AC vent was directly over the bed, and the airflow was strong and hard to adjust. It made my trip very convenient, definitely recommend it.

📍 Hotel Keigetsu 信州昼神温泉郷 日長庵 桂月 @ Hirugami Onsen, Nagano 🇯🇵 We stayed 3D2N from 13 November 2025 at Hotel Keigetsu (日長庵 桂月), and it turned out to be one of the best choices for our Nakasendo trip. The ryokan sits in a peaceful corner of Hirugami Onsen, surrounded by nature and traditional Japanese charm. There is a designated parking area exclusively for guests, accommodating around 15-20 cars of all sizes, making it very convenient for self-drive travellers. We chose a Japanese-style room with a private bathroom, and the highlight was the beautiful wooden bathtub — perfect for a relaxing soak in complete privacy. In the mornings, the view from our room was calm and peaceful, with gentle bird chirping adding to the serene atmosphere. Our stay included breakfast and dinner, and both meals were exceptional. Each dish was beautifully prepared using seasonal ingredients, and the servers were patient and friendly, taking time to explain each course and share stories about local flavours. Their warm hospitality truly enhanced the dining experience. The ryokan is within walking distance to the Morning Market, just about 10 minutes away, making it an enjoyable little morning stroll. There is also a FamilyMart right beside the ryokan, just a short walk away — extremely convenient for drinks, snacks, or last-minute essentials during your stay. The staff also introduced several nearby activities and hiking trails, and the routes are super visitor-friendly, making this ryokan an ideal base for exploring the Nakasendo area. The onsen baths were another highlight — soothing, clean, and filled with Hirugami’s famously smooth, skin-friendly hot spring water. Perfect for unwinding every evening. Overall, Hotel Keigetsu offers excellent food, warm service, relaxing onsen, comfortable rooms, and unbeatable convenience, whether you’re here for onsen relaxation or the Nakasendo trail. Highly recommended for a peaceful, authentic, and memorable ryokan stay in Nagano. ♨️🍁🌿✨

Convenient skiing, comfortable hot spring

The hotel's location is excellent, very close to Matsumoto Station, and there are many restaurants nearby. It's in a lively area but just far enough away not to be noisy. There's a popular cafe nearby; we went early the next morning to get a number. It's trendy but reasonably priced, and the coffee was really good. We stopped in Matsumoto briefly after hiking Kamikochi and before heading to Karuizawa. We'll definitely come back to properly experience this great place next time.

We really enjoyed our week long stay at Hoshikawakan in Jan 2026. We have been driving around Hakuba for 4 weeks to visit various ski resorts and spent our last week at Hoshikawakan to visit Shiga Kogen. The room was spacious and clean with a small toilet like most Japanese hotels but there was a large public onsen and 2 smaller private onsens that can be reserved once each day for 30mins so you could always take your shower in the onsens like the locals do especially later at night about 10-11pm where I was the only one in the public onsen. The hotel had a lovely buffet breakfast spread with local soba, Japnese curry, cold minced sashimi fish, grill fish station, fried eggs station that will keep you adequately fed for the day's ski trip - it even has a hot drink station with free oden daily at 3-5.30pm which we enjoyed as a snack after a hard day of skiiing. The service was excellent too with the staff helpfully arranging to ship our ski equipment directly to Hanade Airport, daily clearing of snow off the carpark and new towels provided daily. The location in Yudanaka is great too especially if you drive as it is between Shiga Kogen (25-35mins drive) and Kita Shiga Kogen (15-20mins drive) with many attractions like Shibu Onsen, Yudanaka Brewery and Snow Monkey Park within 10-15 drive. There were also ample dinner options nearby within 10-15 mins walk but you may need to try and make reservations by walking in on your first night. The only downside was that the WiFi network is poor and patchy when overloaded by a lot of guests over the weekend but otherwise it was good.

It was very comfortable with the feeling of staying in a comfortable house. I felt the richness of nature from the window and was quiet and relaxing.

Location is on the top of the mountain, not very convenient But self-driving tour, it doesn't matter 4.5 hour drive from Narita Airport to the hotel Check in is already more than 12 am The hotel staff checked in for us after get off work  But it is snowing, there are mountain roads in the snow that are not open and there is no enclosure. Mistake walked in because the mountain road that was not open did not shovel snow The car is snowing. Haocai is not far from the hotel Hotel staff will help us soon  trailer Hotel service is very good, very satisfied There is a cooking stove and tableware in the room Very convenient. The snow outside the hotel is so beautiful I don't want to leave 

Hotel Marroad is just a few minutes by the shuttle bus from the station , and it can also be reached on foot. We booked a room for 4 people and the room size is good at a very reasonable price (include breakfast). The fixtures are a bit old. However, the room and the amenities are very clean. We come to skiing and the hotel has a rental service (much cheaper than you rent at the ski field) which is very convenient. Also, they send us to ski field every day. Staff can speak little English, but they are all very friendly and helpful. Breakfast is delicious, and it is a must try.

I absolutely, absolutely, absolutely loved this hotel! First off, the location is unbeatable – it's right in the building opposite Nagano Station, literally a one or two-minute walk away. This makes catching trains, buses, and everything else super convenient. There's a Lawson convenience store on the first floor, and plenty of restaurants nearby, so the location couldn't be better. Next, the hotel room itself was a good size; I could fully open my suitcase, and the environment was very clean. I especially loved the window view from the room – you could see the surrounding mountains, and even get a glimpse of Zenko-ji Temple and its approach road from a distance. Finally, the hotel staff were incredibly enthusiastic. Even when checking in via machine, the front desk staff would always come over to help, and they'd always greet you warmly when you came and went. Definitely a top-notch experience! Nagano really is a beautiful small city; it must be even more stunning in winter. I'll definitely be back next winter and will book this hotel again. See you next time!