Kamesei Ryokan

Very comfortable "Onsen".It is a hot spring where we can soak for a long time and get tired. And Good meal, with surprise!The chef's creations are delicious and enjoyable.We would like to stay at this ryokan again, and then We would like to take a walk around the area, "Togura Ginza".

Thank you Tyler and Mari for the most wonderful stay at your beautiful Ryokan. Your kindness and care made our family trip so special. From our initial communications before we arrived, until you kindly took us back to the train station and waved us Goodbye, you made us feel like family, not simply guests. The beautiful ryokan is so authentic, with pretty Japanese gardens everywhere you look, as you wander through the glass corridors. The large reception area has a gorgeous wood burner giving out warmth and the comforting & beautiful smell of fresh burning wood. We loved our large tatami room and comfortable futons and the Onsen facilities are wonderful. The Japanese dinner and breakfast exceeded anything we could have imagined! A feast in itself for the eyes before .. and then eating and enjoying it ! An exceptional dining experience made from local produce, which we and the other guests enjoyed in the traditional dining room, wearing our Yukatas that they provide when you check In. This is traditional Japanese Onsen town style if you wish to partake and you can trot out & about around the town after dinner in your Yukatas too if you wish too.. which we did. The unspoiled & beautiful area of Togura Kamiyamada is very flat, so perfect for long walking & bicycle riding , nestled beautifully between mountains with the beautiful Chikuma river running through. Lots of little bars & restaurants all within a few minutes walking distance. The local owners of the shops , bars & restaurants are so friendly here & very welcoming. Our Japanese is poor and there’s not much English spoken here by anyone (other than Tyler & Mari who are fluent ) BUT that was actually fun & never a problem. With a little help from Google translate we managed to make ourselves understood with a lot of laughs for us & the locals :) We even went to the nearby post office to send Granny a postcard & they were so friendly & helpful too, with the postmaster gifting us a little Japanese post box money box, stickers & a notebook for our daughter to take home ! Last but not least … THE COOKIES !!! The freshly baked home made cookies which are Tyler’s secret family recipe are delicious on arrival and a thoughtful touch. We could go on & on … In fact if you read all of the other reviews here ..it’s basically everyone saying similar & more fantastic things about Kamesei Ryokan & this wonderful place! Thank you again Tyler & Mari so much for making our stay truly Exceptional and memorable and we hope to see you again next time we return to Japan. The Scott family

I took my daughter on a father/daughter trip tp Japan for 10 days. She was born there but had no memories so this was her time to learn and experience the country where she was born. Most of our trip was in Tokyo and I was looking for a place in the country where she could experience the real Japan. A friend of mine recommended Kamesei Ryokan and it fit the bill perfectly. The inn is wonderful in its old world design, from the large tatami rooms, to the wandering hallways and of course the onsen. Tyler and Mari will put you at ease and ensure you a memorable time. If you need a getaway from the city or a place to just relax and smile, this is it

Hands down our favourite place to stay in this Japan trip. Tyler and Mari were such welcoming hosts from the time we were picked up from Togura station to when we were dropped off at the end of the stay. Nothing was too much trouble and Tyler provided a great introduction to the local area, even offering to take us to a temple in the next town as they were holding celebrations. The ryokan was beautiful, the room very comfortable (handily just outside the onsen) and the onsen was amazing, especially the outdoor ones - nothing beats soaking in an onsen whilst snowflakes fall on you. The highlight though was the food - dinner was a spectacular showcase of local foods (with picky eaters catered for) and breakfast was similar. All the dishes were explained to us and we were practically rolling back to our room after (make sure you try the cookie dough ice cream - cookie dough is a recipe from Tyler's mum and ice cream made locally) We would love to come back during the warmer months so we can cycle/hike/fruit pick (Tyler offers cycling and walking tours).

Japanese Ryokans are infamous for their hospitality and services. My experience at Kamesei however was unique due to the range and quality of services provided. This was made even more accessible by Tyler-san (a living American-Japanese national treasure) who went out of his way to explain all options, even those outside of the printed materials. During my visit almost all other guests were Japanese and friendly, a nice reprieve from more touristy areas). They receive a lot of repeat guests. The inside is brimming with fascinating art and sculptures. Pricing was surprisingly affordable given services and spaces provided alongside limited number of guest rooms. Consider booking directly through their website to support this local treasure. The Ryokan building itself is unique as many in the area were modernized during previous economic bubbles. This one is rare because it is: original wooden cozy structure, only 12 rooms which are unusually large and often include a separate sitting area, large onsen baths (alternating given current guest sex ratio). The city of Chikuma itself is easily accessible from Nagano City, and is large enough to have kombinis (many onsen towns do not have), but not so large that restaurants and bars are busy. Walking is flat, and nothing is more than 30 minutes by foot. Some of the highlights unique to the area and Kamesei that I found are: ＞ Traditional Japanese cuisine served in-room or in special dining area ＞ Local restaurants also serving ingredients sourced from local mountains/areas, try the local version of udon-dipped noodles and gyoza. For some reason there is unusually delicious Thai restaurants too. ＞ Guided excursions (for fee) to local destinations (ex: Togakushi, Nozawa Onsen), ask Tyler-san for ideas ＞ Kamesei has a private outdoor onsen (1 free reservation with min 2 night stay) that makes you feel like you are in wild nature like the old Herbal Essences commercials ＞ Self-serve traditional strawberry /chocolate/regular cold milk ¥180 / beer ¥350 inside (this was the only place in JP I found this milk, a must-try traditional post-onsen beverage) ＞ Games / recreation room with ping pong table ＞ Giant indoor reception area with wood-burning stove (a quaint American touch) ＞ Two rooms on main floor right across from onsens -- very convenient for guests with reduced mobility! ＞ Season-based visits to local farms (~¥2000 for entry + all-you-can-eat fruit) such as apples, stone fruit, strawberries (the same ones you will see in gift boxes at department stores for ¥5000+) ＞ Bicycle rental to explore local area ＞ Two free mountain hikes nearby with incredible views: 1) Kitty Park with a 150m slide and the largest demon statue in Japan, 2) Arato Castle; unique for being on a hill outside of city rather than in the middle of city like most castles in JP ＞ Traditional Japanese cork shooting galleries with prizes ＞ Beautifully manicured park stroll alongside Chikuma River (longest river in JP) ＞ In-room traditiona

The hospitality of the hosts were amazing! The food offered was delicious and the onsen was clean, safe and great.

For those seeking an authentic Japanese experience in Nagano, Kamesei Ryokan is undoubtedly the place to go. The blend of exceptional hospitality, culinary delights, and serene Onsen's creates an unforgettable retreat that exceeds expectations. Our gratitude to the Tyler San & his wife for making our stay truly memorable. As a Muslim, I was delighted by their efforts to help us find halal options nearby. This showcased their dedication to accommodating diverse needs. Even my non-Muslim friend couldn't stop raving about the fantastic and authentic dinner and breakfast offerings. The culinary experience at Kamesei Ryokan transcends expectations. Tyler San & his wife went above and beyond to assist us during our stay. When we needed to locate a pharmacy, he not only guided us but accompanied us to ensure effective communication, showcasing a level of care that is truly exceptional.

We had a delightful time here! We can't believe what an amazing experience we got for such an affordable price. Beautiful onsen baths, elaborate and delicious meals, and friendly service. The owner even went above and beyond by driving us to a farther train station when we checked out in order to significantly shorten our trip to our next destination. It's a particularly good place for people who don't know Japanese to go since one of the owners is American. They were also super accommodating of dietary restrictions--I'm vegetarian and had absolute feats for both dinner and breakfast here. In particular I think the breakfast here might have been my favorite meal during my whole trip to Japan. I hope to go back someday!