Shibu Hotel
What Guests Say
Our room was large and beautiful. I liked that there was a shuttle to take us to and from the monkey hot spring park. The shuttle will also pick you up from train station. There were only 2 monkeys at monkey park , but the hike was worth it - really beautiful hike-eat at the park’s restaurant it was great food at a good price. The hotel gives you a key to all the onsens in town. The town had a few cute shops. The hotel employees were all very nice.
Jackie
November 2024
The room is spacious and the onsens in the hotel are great. I really recommend trying the outdoor private onsen, that was our favourite. The food was very high quality and the staff was very polite and helpful. Very close to the public onsens of the village. They also offer free shuttles to the station and the monkey park if needed, that is explained in advance. They also had English speaking staff members (not so important to us as we speak Japanese) overall great service and very good hotel.
Erika
March 2025
Even though the lobby is a little dated, our stay was awesome. Room nice and comfy. Breakfast was fantastic. Shuttle from train station and also shuttle to Snow Monkey Park and back was a great bonus. The owners are really nice. All the staff went out of their way to treat the best. Really enjoyed our time there. Comp drinks in lobby and in the room were great. We would stay here again and every time we are in this lovely little town.
Steve
March 2025
Very nice traditional hotel decent price and friendly staff. They picked me up from the train station and even drove my luggage to the next hotel I was booked at since they only had the one day available. They also took me to the snow monkey park for free even though it was after my check out time and found my next hotels shuttle bus to have them take me to my hotel after I was done. Excellent customer service definitely worth staying there. Also you get access to the 9 pubic onsen in town.
Stuart
February 2025
The staff was helpful and pleasant. The food was great considering it is a traditional Japanese meal. We were a group of Asians and Caucasian Americans, with not everyone used to eating traditional Japanese food, but everyone enjoyed the meals. There was plenty to eat, and it was fun to discover what was next. I strongly recommended adding the meat option to round off your meal.
Naveera
April 2024
Loved it, didn’t want to leave. The food was outstanding and the service was amazing. Huge comfortable rooms. They even cleaned our boots for us. The owners are just so lovely and really add to the character of the hotel. Sitting in the hotel outdoor bath while it snowed is hard to beat. My suggestion is stay at least 2 nights and on the final day, leave on the 10.50am train which will give you enough time for one final onsen after breakfast.
Sara
February 2025
A wonderful stay. Chose this hotel due to having transportation between Yudanaka train station and the Snow Monkey Park. Very handy indeed! There are two public onsen within the facility (gender separated) and two private onsen (indoor, free and outdoor, 2000yen per 30 mins, or free with select rooms) in addition to the 9x onsen in town. In-room drinks provided (free) and replenished daily with local snacks provided in-room and changed daily also. A nice touch! Tip - choose a consecutive night stay (2 nights) and you’ll have the town onsen to yourself until 3pm when the guests start to check into their hotels. Most only stay 1 night so the town onsen can get quite busy from 3pm. We chose the “no meals” options in our booking and were spoiled for choice within Shibu Onsen (places open from 5.30-6pm), no reservations necessary which isn’t the case for most other towns in Japan!
Melissa
December 2023
The room was big and the view of the river and mountains were great. The garden overlooking the onsen looked magical in the snow. The staff was wonderful and very accommodating. They provided transport to and from Yudanaka station and Snow monkey park. Even did a small detour to a scenic spot for some photos. Totally enjoyed the highly traditional Japanese dinner and breakfast. The late night walk in the town after the onsen bath was magical.
Sharon
January 2024
Everything, to begin with Yamada San our shuttle driver and tourist guide . Then to the amazing couple slightly elderly that ran the hotel to the young Nepalese staff that explained everything in English . The bedroom and private onsen were wonderful . But nothing prepares you for the utterly out of this world dinner that awaits you from the way you are served to the beautiful exquisite and so so delicious food . Breakfast was again exceptional. Shibu onsen town / village has such charm and the public onsens are perfectly quaint and boiling hot and scrupulously clean . Top top hotel from facility to staff to food
Abby
October 2023
This is a lovely hotel in a great location, but what really made our stay fabulous and memorable was the staff. The owner, Yamada Akiyoshi san was thoughtful and went out of his way to show us the mountains which we really appreciated - thank you. All the staff we met were good humoured, attentive and very patient with our poor attempts at Japanese. Nothing seemed too much trouble. This has been one of our favourite hotels in Japan! If you are new to staying in a traditional Japanese hotel, this would be an excellent place to start. The food is wonderful - we enjoyed a full Kaiseki dinner and breakfast which were very tasty. There are really clear explanations of everything- including how to wear the different items of clothing and how to use the 9 traditional bath houses in town. even if you only have one night, come and stay!
Catharine
April 2023
Reservations:
+1 (888) 389-1929Make a Reservation