Aburaya Tosen

What People are saying

Loved this place. Quiet, clean, beautiful, great service.

lorilori99on 13/07/2017 07:56

This was one of the last places we went on our 2-week track across Japan, and it was perfect for relaxing. Took a cab to the Snow Monkey Park (we missed the 2 morning shuttles provided by the hotel) but the taxi took us closer to the entrance to the park, so it worked out since my hip was hurting and I had trouble walking. Cab was about 15Yen, each way. the Onsen up on the 7th floor was fabulous, with great view of the river, mountains and the town. Service was great! I got a massage from Tomi (?) and that was so amazing. and price was reasonable too! We did not get the dinner, just a bit too expensive for us. They served us green tea and candy upon arrival. They set up the tatami mats for us, which were more comfortable than I expected. 4 adults in the room, not too bad. Private toilet and shower was very nice. Staff was super friendly and helpful, they shuttled us back to train station when we left.

Gorgeous onsen

leighetteon 14/06/2017 14:34

Visited in June 2017 to enjoy Nagano and check out the Monkey Park with children. Overall, this is a fantastic place. The staff is very nice, the facilities are excellent, and the onsen is heaven. The onsen is located on the top floor of the building, and there are two separate onsen--one for men, and one for women. However, they switch sides once a day so you get to experience each side. In each side, there is an indoor and outdoor onsen. Both have transparent walls so you get to hang out in the onsen and overlook the mountains of Nagano. At night, you can lay in the onsen and look at the night sky. It's quite spectacular.

Keep in mind however, that Aburaya Tosen is not part of Shibu Onsen. It's located about a mile away from the center part of Shibu Onsen. So if you stay here, you don't get a key to visit the 9 onsens that make up Shibu Onsen--these keys are only available from the hotels in Shibu Onsen. We didn't know this when we got there. It ended up being totally fine because the onsen at Aburaya Tosen is so gorgeous and luxurious that we didn't care, and because we heard that the water in the 9 onsens at Shibu Onsen is too hot for kids anyway. But if you want to do the 9 onsen walk, you won't be able to do it from here.

Best Staff and Onsen anywhere!!!

THam515on 06/05/2017 19:26

Well, at least the best Staff!! After driving all day, we arrived at night only to have a member of the staff run to our car in the drive to immediately begin taking care of our every need. As our bags were taken, the car was parked and we were shown to a sitting area where we were served hot matcha tea and cookies. The staff walked us through every facet of the hotel and our options as well as providing recommendations to off site places to eat. The room was spacious, clean and well appointed with everything we needed. What a truly wonderful and relaxing experience. Especially the hot bath overlooking the city!!!

Good place and great food. Near the snow monkey park

Eddy Lon 01/05/2017 21:52

We stayed here when we visited the snow monkeys.

The rooms are tatami style so the kids got a kick out of sleeping on the floor with the bedding that they provide.

There are two large onsens on the roof. Split into men and women. Halfway through the day, they rotate the onsens so you can experience both sides/views. The onsens were large. Each with two or three pools and plenty of locker room areas. The views were just OK. Maybe it was the season. The washway flowing below was kinda dirty. Oh, and when we were outside the hotel, I looked back and if you know exactly where to look, you can see guests using the onsen in their birthday suits. So be careful about how you act when you are out on the onsens.

Some of the rooms have private onsens right in the rooms. If I had known, I would have probably tried to book one of these rooms. There are some private onsens you can rent on the top floor but inquire before you go.

The food. Excellent set menu for both dinner and breakfast. It was something like 9 or 11 courses at dinner and another large japanese style breakfast the next morning. Food was worth it in and of itself.

There is a small shop/store in the lobby and also a large table that supposedly serves as their "coffee shop" right off the lobby.

Staff was very nice. They provide transportation to and from the train station and they even dropped us off at the base of the snow monkey park entrance.

Best onsen ever!

lunamacon 15/04/2017 21:24

This review is overdue! My daughter and I stayed here after much thoughts and planning for two years. So glad we picked this hotel! We visited Yudanaka for mainly to see monkeys and didn't have much expectations about this hotel. Boy we were wrong! Being from Japan we have gone to many onsens but for all things considered this is by far the best one. Best Japanese hospitality! Delicious food! One of the best onsen on top floor overlooking the small town amd mountains. We have visited other ryokan or onsen after this place and always very disappointed. If you are looking for true Japanese hospitality and delicious meal and willing to venture out to try onsen instead of bathroom in your room this is it!