OO.K. MACI’ve stayed at many ryokans throughout my travels—often making up half of each trip—but this one felt a bit different.
It seemed to be run by just one person, who I assume is the owner. Everything was self-service, which might be understandable considering it was the most affordable option among the ryokans in the area.
Most amenities required an extra fee, such as towels. Payment was made by dropping coins into a basket and making your own change, which wasn’t very convenient—especially since I didn’t carry much cash.
One thing I appreciated was the luggage delivery service. I was able to leave my bag at the lobby before check-out and have it sent to Toyama Station (for about 4,000 JPY, cash only).
What stood out was the creativity in the shared spaces. There were several common rooms designed for relaxing and spending time—perfect if you’re traveling with friends. You could play ping pong, read books, watch TV, or use the canteen, which had a microwave and dishes available.
They even had coin-operated massage chairs and a small fitness room.
However, I must mention two important downsides:
1. Limited nearby dining options – Many restaurants shown as open on Google Maps were actually closed. The only one that was open had extremely slow service—I waited nearly an hour for dinner.
2. Insects—large ones – Unfortunately, I encountered big insects in my room, which made it hard to sleep. (He even provided insect-catch tape for me while introduce the room) I stayed awake most of the night, worrying it might come back—especially stressful since I had to get up early the next morning to catch a bus to Ogizawa.
Minds you, stairs only, need to carry your luggage down by yourself.
Overall, while it offers good value for the area and has unique communal features, this ryokan may not suit travelers who prefer full service, cashless payment, or guaranteed comfort.
HHanaLocation is great, it is just on the main road and by the lake. I remember there was a Lawon convenient store not far away when we drove past. We stayed there for 1 night.
I highly doubt if we were given the wrong room type, as I booked a room that can see the full Suwa Lake, but the room we have got is at the corner. It is because of the cherry blossom season, there are so many mosquitos outside so we couldn't open any window. According to the information provided by the hotel, the mosquitos don't bite human, but create stains on clothings.
Anyway, the room has a private onsen. It was quite small, and look a bit old. The water is very hot, though I couldn't smell any sulfur so it is not a real hot spring. As the windows can't be opened, so it is a quite stuffy inside the bathroom. The room has equipped with all amenities, but no bottled water. The hotel mentioned the water is drinkable from the tab. The room is quite clean and spacious. The mattress is quite nice, it was good for taking a rest after a whole day trip. We chose the meal package (breakfast and dinner). They were both Japanese style with a lot of dishes and options. Food is great. Nagano is not a place that produces meat, so mainly there are a lot of vegetables.
With the price we paid for, the hotel services, food and everything is quite reasonable. However, the hotel is a bit old. Nothing is special other than providing a clean room to sleep.
AAnn RothenwaenderWe had a wonderful stay at Taoya and would absolutely recommend it for families.
The location is fantastic — it’s close to a beautiful old Japanese village, which made it easy to combine relaxation with a bit of cultural exploration. The area was also stroller-friendly, which made walking around with our 1-year-old very convenient and stress-free.
The outdoor onsen was beautiful and very relaxing, especially surrounded by nature. What made it perfect for us was the availability of a private onsen — this allowed our 1-year-old to join us, which made the experience extra special as parents.
The all-inclusive concept is fantastic. The food was really, really good — excellent quality, great variety, and beautifully presented. Every meal felt like a highlight of the stay.
We only saw one other foreign family during our stay, so it felt authentic and local while still being welcoming and comfortable.
Overall, a great place for families looking for a relaxing onsen experience with outstanding food and a convenient location. We would definitely come back.