Byaku Narai

This is the best hotel we ever stayed at. If you are reading this review, it means you already decided on going to the middle of no where Japan. Byaku more or less owns the town. There are other ryokans but nowhere close the the quality of this. They also have the only restaurant open late and it is amazing!!! Furthermore book it on a Friday/Sat/Sunday so you can enjoy the sake brewery next to the hot springs. Also get rooms with your own Onsen, it’s worth it the public ones aren’t co gender

What an amazing hotel. The architecture, the attention to detail. I've stayed in nice hotels around the world and this would stand out anywhere. Certainly one of the most memorable and to find this in the Nakasendo is amazing. I remember coming across this hotel by chance off a YouTube video (channel: Abroad in Japan), and it was the push I needed to come to the Nakasendo, because I wanted to stay in a completely modern hotel. And so I built my trip around staying here. Making a non-refundable reservation at Byaku 8 months ago felt like taking a chance because there were only 3 reviews on Tripadvisor, and only a handful more on Google, and I didn't know my bearings around the area... and it was the right choice. Knowing what I know now, I'd absolutely do it all over again. A lot more reviews on Google now too. I guess no one uses this site anymore ;) Byaku is amazing. I know I already said that. They started off with 2 or 3 buildings. Now they have 16 rooms across 4 buildings. I stayed in Room 110, it was beautiful. Absolutely go for the dining-included option, because their restaurant, Kura, is where you're going to have the best meals in the Nakasendo. 1 night is not enough. 3 nights might be too much. 2 nights felt perfect. Things to do in Narai town... not much. Day hikes around using the hotel as a base. Our main highlight in Nakasendo was taking the train to Nagiso to get to Tsumago, and hiking Tsumago to Magome. Take note the local trains to/from Narai station are not very frequent so make a note of the timings!

Unequaled politeness and attention to detail. The best place we stayed by far during our 10 day trip to Japan. Beautiful buildings and design set in a post town that dates back hundreds of years. Truly unique. Be sure to have your transportation set especially in “cold” season. We went at the end of March and could not find a taxi out, which forced us to cut out our Nakasendo trail hike in order to make one of the few trains.