Matsumoto Jūjō — Hotel in Matsumoto

This is our first time in Japan. Glad we came to Matsumoto (favourite of the trip), a small mountain city that is very peaceful, refreshing and slow pace. Delighted by sights of rolling mountains, blue sky and white clouds.

We booked 3 nights stay with Matsumoto Jujo (2 nights with breakfast and dinner). We enjoyed our stay throughly and it is now one of our top 3 holiday stay!

Our room is Koyanagi terrace suite with open-air bath [semi-barrier-free] at Hotel Koyanagi (they also have another hotel - Hotel Matsumoto Honbako - with a variety of room types). It has a view of the local neighbourhood and trees. Everything from the room and onsen, in-room amentities including snacks and drinks (even the in-room is of great quality so much so that we bought them fro their lifestyle shop), breakfast and dinner, services are 5-star. The staff are hardworking, speaks good English and very helpful. They made various adjustments to accommodate to our requests and we are thankful for their efforts. There are many facilities/ activities you can enjoy there so you will not get bored even staying there for a few nights, e.g. drinks voucher that they gave, evening drinks, neighbourhood tour, their various shops (bookstore, bakery and lifestyle/stationary shop), in-room and public onsen. At the same time, the hotel and its surrounding is very quiet. We dont see many people during our stay there, except maybe at the local chinese restaurant and art/craft shop. The hotel is also near to the bus stop so travelling is easy.

There are also other things to do around the neighbourhood, like art/craft shop, dessert shop, or just walking around. We ate twice at 藍蔵 (あいくら), which we really love (especially their yakisoba, which is quite unique). They are always full and with locals when we were there.

In Matsumoto, we also enjoyed other activities, e.g. miso factory tour and lunch, picked strawberry at a farm, Alpico supermarket for local produce, famous castle. There are many other activities including famous shopping street, museum and winery.

If we are back in Japan, would love to stay in Matsumoto Jujo again! It is not cheap but well value for monies and we all enjoyed the...

An Exceptional Stay – A Perfect Escape!

I had the pleasure of staying at this incredible ryokan in December 2024, recommended by a close friend, and it exceeded all my expectations. From the moment I checked in until check-out, every part of my stay was seamless and indulgent. The staff was incredibly attentive and welcoming, making me feel right at home. I left with the strong desire to return.

Here are three highlights that made my stay unforgettable:

The Hot Springs The private outdoor onsen in our room was pure bliss. Surrounded by snow-covered landscapes, I could relax and soak in the warm waters while taking in the beautiful winter view. The space is thoughtfully designed, with plants and wooden screens ensuring complete privacy—perfect for unwinding in total peace.

The Cuisine The meals were nothing short of spectacular. Using the freshest ingredients from the local region of Nagano, each dish was beautifully presented and full of flavor. The venison and carp, both unique to the area, were prepared in a way that made them approachable and delicious. The breakfast spread was equally impressive, with healthy options like organic vegetable salads, homemade bread, and fresh, additive-free juices that made me feel energized and well cared for.

The Library Lounge One of the standout features of this ryokan is its library space—a tranquil spot to read and unwind. In the evenings, complimentary drinks and snacks were served, making it the perfect setting for relaxation after a day of exploration. The collection of books caters to all ages, so it’s an ideal spot for families. Spending time in one of the semi-private nooks with a loved one, reading side by side in peaceful silence, was a truly special experience.

This ryokan is the perfect place for a memorable getaway, and I can’t wait to return for another...

We booked the Designer Twin room for a couple nights including their set dinner and breakfast. Overall the room and the hotel are very stylish (highlight is the free drinks bar at 5 pm in the library which is built into the old bath facilities and just looks like its cut out of a style magazine). In general the hotels concept of renovating an old traditional bathhouse and turning it into a modern hotel while trying to keep its roots to the district is very nice

All that said the value for a very what i find a very steep price for Japan is not quite there in my eyes. Regarding the room, even though all the amenities and free fridge and freezer goodies on the floor were a very nice touch, the tatami in the room was very uncomfortable to walk on, and the AC gave off a humid almost moldy smell so we had to turn it off.

The dinner is aiming to be a high class fine dining experience using local and Japanese kitchen. While the concept seems good the food was not up to par compared to what they tried to portrait. We liked 50% of the dishes but nothing blew us away. It is criticizing it on a high level but given the steep price and the way it is presented its just not quite there. We had two nights booked so they made sure to serve a different set menu on the second day so that was nice.

Overall: if you like to stay in the in a bit more of a secluded area of the city (30 min bus from station at rather rare times), like choosing a book in the vast, cosy library and you are fine paying a premium for the very stylish look of the hotel, go for it. If you looking for a bit more of a traditional Japanese experience and care about value for money, its probably a skip.

TIPP: use the local bile renting system (Hello Cycling) rather than waiting on a bus that takes for ever to...