Kamesei Ryokan

Experience the heart and soul of Japan -- make Kamesei Ryokan your base for exploring Nagano. Our traditional Japanese inn features a soothing onsen hot spring bath. Feel the warmth of our wood construction while enjoying the inn's gardens and koi pond. Relax in the spacious 8&10 tatami mat guest rooms while lounging in a light yukata robe.

Both main onsen baths have outdoor baths as well, hand-built by our proprietor. One is wood, made from yellow cedar. The other is a garden bath made of river stones, and is open to the sky allowing you to bathe in the starlight as you soak in the onsen water.

*NEW: Private gardens for 2 more guest rooms just completed in October, 2009.

Local travel info happily provided by our proprietor. Tyler is an American who would be glad to share insight into his adopted home here in the Japanese countryside. Night View tours, 5am Zazen Meditation, Thursday Night Lion Dance practices are just some of the complimentary 'excursions' offered to our guests.

Full dinner and breakfast are available and are highly recommended in order to truly appreciate the ryokan experience. Gourmet Kaseki-style Dinner featuring local and seasonal ingredients +4,000 yen (pls advise in advance to allow for preparation); full Ryokan Breakfast +2,000 yen (pls request at check-in); or +5,000 yen for both.
(Vegetarian Meals Available Upon Request.)

Our town of Togura-Kamiyamada Onsen is unique because it is an onsen town -- feel free to use our wooden geta sandals and walk around in your yukata. Browse the many local shops, soak your feet in the footbath, or wander down by the Chikuma River. Or walk up to the mountain castle on the hill behind our town, or rent a bicycle and ride along the Chikuma River. For dinners out, our guests enjoy the wide variety of restaurants. Especially popular are Yumi's Yakitori, run by a very entertaining ex-geisha, and Kohaku which features a very, very spicy udon dish. We'll gladly walk you over and introduce you to the owners and get you situated with your order.

NOTE: Standard rooms are equipped with toilets; bathing facilities are with the hot spring mineral baths.

Check-in: 3pm. Check-out: 10am.

No curfew / lockout.

WiFi in the lobby, and free access to our laptop computer.

Vegetarian Meals provided upon Request.

Knowledgeable help for your Nagano itinerary is gladly provided.

Children Friendly.

Credit cards are accepted (NOTE: 5% Processing Fee)

Directions

TRAIN FROM TOKYO: Nagano Shinkansen bullet train to Ueda (1 hr. 30 min.), transfer to local Shinano Line 4 stops to Togura Station.
TRAIN FROM OSAKA/KYOTO: Shinkansen to Nagoya, change to JR Ltd. Expr. 'Shinano' to Shinonoi (2 hr. 45 min.), transfer to local Shinano Line 4 stops to Togura Sta.
BUS: Highway Bus from Tokyo (Shinjuku to Nagano City or Ikebukuro to Ueda. Overnight Bus from Osaka to Nagano City. Then local Shinano Line to Togura Sta.

(NOTE: Free pick-up at Togura Station.)

Facilities

Internet Access, Bicycle Hire, Linen Included, Bar, Towels, Security Lockers, Luggage Storage, Telephone/Fax Facilities, Travel Desk/Travel Info, Common Room, Bike Parking, Free Carpark, Breakfast Not Included, WiFi in lobby, Web access in lobby, Air Conditioning, Breakfast