5-Star Hotels in Nagano Prefecture, Japan

I am a solo traveler who stayed in the room with private open bath. I enjoyed my 2 nights stay. Hotel looks tired and old but it was all good . Btw, you have to use a key to open the door not access card. I paid for my room with breakfast and dinner. I have a private dining space in a restaurant which I like it. Skip all queue and I dine at the same place for all meals. Dinner was great. Breakfast spread was wonderful too. I tried the one hour jap massage and it was so good. There isn’t anyone who can really speak English. The guests are mainly locals. There is free shuttle to check in and check out. Overall I give 9/10!!

Stepping inside, we were greeted by the iconic stove, and a thoughtful warm drink, which was a lovely touch. The service was very welcoming. The room, for Japan, was quite spacious and even had a balcony, though it was bare in winter. Both breakfast and dinner were extensive. Dinner, which we pre-booked, was a standout with its distinctive and delicious Western cuisine.

Hotel La Vigne Hakuba was a wonderful place to stay. The hotel has a beautiful minimalist design and feels clean, cozy, and very welcoming. Both the lobby and rooms were pleasantly scented, creating a relaxing atmosphere. The concierge team was extremely helpful and the overall service throughout the stay was excellent. The room was spacious, very clean, and thoughtfully designed with a very functional layout. The bedding was also very comfortable. The hotel also provides excellent facilities for skiers, including a dedicated storage and locker room for ski equipment, as well as a separate shower room where guests can freshen up and change after skiing on the day of check-out. Overall, a fantastic stay at Hotel La Vigne Hakuba — highly recommended.

Amazing experience as always with the Fufu brand. We stayed at the Hakone one previously and thought it was one of the best hotel experiences we've ever had. Our trip to Karuizawa this time was driven by our intent to try Fufu Kyukaruizawa, and it did not disappoint one bit. From the zen interior to the most attentive and friendly staff to the never-ending dining experiences (yes, even for breakfast it was a multi course menu), we were utterly blown away by our two-night stay. The fireplace in the lobby and in our room was such a pleasant touch even though we stayed during May, our teppanyaki chef personally seeing us out to the lift and bowing until we were out of sight shows how they go above and beyond, and we really appreciated how at each interaction the staff knew and clarified our coming arrangements, ensuring our entire stay was a seamless experience. Fufu remains our favourite Japanese hotel brand. Just wish they had a loyalty program as we are looking to check off all the Fufu hotels in our lifetime.

The hotel facilities were fantastic, I absolutely loved them. However, after dragging my luggage to the train station, I spent a long time looking for the hotel shuttle because the instructions didn't clearly state which exit to use. I had to ask many people before I found out the shuttle was at a different exit. Then, when I finally saw the hotel shuttle driver, he didn't stop and just waved for us to wait further away, which was really confusing. I suggest the hotel clearly specify which exit at the station is convenient for boarding the shuttle. The hotel staff were excellent, very polite and patient, and could assist in English, which was great. The location is on the edge of a forest, and the surroundings are beautiful. The only downside is that if you go out for dinner and don't use the shuttle to the train station, you have to walk quite a distance, which is a bit inconvenient.

This was my first time staying at the Karuizawa Marriott Hotel. The public onsen has both indoor and outdoor baths, and while the facilities were clean, the area was a bit small. The room itself was very spacious, clean, and the environment was quiet. The hotel breakfast offered a wide variety of choices. Highly recommended!

[Hilton Karuizawa | A Healing Hotel Worth a Special Trip] Our stay in Karuizawa truly exceeded expectations; the hotel's service and attention to detail were incredibly impressive. From the moment we arrived at Karuizawa Station, the hotel's shuttle service was fantastic. The driver was polite and attentive, so we didn't have to worry about our luggage or getting around. Upon check-in, our room was already prepared. We had booked a garden view room with a balcony. A floor-to-ceiling window framed the seasonal beauty of the Japanese garden like a painting. Sitting on the balcony with tea and a book, time seemed to slow down. The mini-bar in the room was complimentary, and a capsule coffee machine and tea set were provided, along with thoughtful welcome snacks. What I most want to praise is the service. The front desk and concierge staff were fluent in English, and their responses were prompt and professional whether we were asking about sightseeing routes, restaurant reservations, or shuttle arrangements. Once, we wanted to find a soba noodle restaurant popular with locals, and the concierge not only drew a detailed map by hand but also went the extra mile to call and confirm their operating hours for us. Breakfast was a semi-buffet, with the option to order a main dish. The fresh local vegetables, fruits, and homemade jams from Karuizawa were especially delicious. Enjoying breakfast by the window while watching the morning light in the garden was pure bliss. While the selection wasn't extensive, every dish was exquisite, reflecting the chef's dedication. Although the hotel isn't brand new, it's very well-maintained, combining traditional Japanese style with modern comfort seamlessly. The Japanese bathhouse was clean and tranquil; a soak there left us feeling completely relaxed. The location is also very convenient, making it easy to walk to attractions like Old Karuizawa Ginza Street and Kumoba Pond, yet it's set away from the main street's hustle and bustle. If I had to point out any shortcomings, it would be that some of the guest rooms aren't particularly spacious, but the thoughtful layout and superb views completely make up for it. Overall, it's a quality choice I'd love to return to and would readily recommend to friends. It's especially ideal for travelers looking to slow down and relax in nature.

The place looks exactly like the photos, no exaggeration at all. The entire house is enveloped by nature. In the mornings, I meditated and read in the garden with birds singing in the woods – it truly felt like my body was completely at one with nature. The owner mentioned that this particular unit boasts the largest garden among all their room types and was designed to mimic the architecture of the Kogen Church. The upstairs features an open sleeping area with four futons, which could easily accommodate six people. Downstairs also offers a tatami sleeping area. One thing to note is that sound travels easily between floors, as they are all open-plan rooms. The bathroom facilities are absolutely fantastic! With a built-in drying system and a hairdryer, the floor dries instantly after you shower. All the room amenities felt like they were from premium brands. My favorite item, surprisingly, was the trash can, haha! It's exactly the kind of setup Shanghai's waste classification system desperately needs. I'm already 'sold' on it and planning to get one myself, haha! Guests can also cook their own meals here. The owner's breakfast was not only generous but also incredibly delicious. I'll definitely have to try the steak for dinner next time – I'm sure it's excellent. The owner was incredibly kind and patient, helping us arrange taxis and even providing pick-up and drop-off services. We're very grateful. Karuizawa's summer weather is wonderfully comfortable and refreshing. The hotel's location is also fantastic, within walking distance of the Wild Bird Forest. Just a quick note: breakfast and dinner need to be reserved in advance!

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

We stayed for two nights on a family trip. The hotel is a luxurious establishment with three hotels, a chapel, and a wedding reception hall on a vast site of 230,000 square meters, and we thoroughly enjoyed a relaxing time. The breakfast buffet and French dinner were delicious, and the service was excellent. There was also a large hot spring bath, and there was plenty of greenery, so it was a pleasant walk. I recommend staying two or even three nights instead of just one.