信州別所温泉 かしわや本店 — Local services in Ueda

The ryokan was a bit hard for us to find but we asked one of the locals who were happy to point it out. The staff saw our arrival from the entrance and rushed out to help with our luggage. It was a very effusive greeting full of warmth and friendliness. ||We stayed 2 nights in a Japanese style room with private open air hot spring bath including breakfast and kaiseki dinners. The room was amazing – clean, comfortable and luxurious. We had a massage chair in the room which massaged all the bones out of me. ||The breakfasts and kaiseki dinners were so delicious. On our second night, mid-way through our dinner the staff actually forgot about us! We were about 3 courses into our dinner and then no one came for a very long time. After half an hour we went out of our private dining room to investigate and could not find anyone. I wanted to leave but my dinner companions were not willing to leave half an expensive dinner behind. Finally we flagged down a staff after an hour of waiting. She expressed mild surprise, muttered something about having forgotten us, gave us a half-hearted apology and went to get a staff to serve us the rest of our dinner. Given the length of time we waited, I found it very disconcerting that a proper apology or an explanation was not given. ||Aside from this bizarre event, the staff were very attentive in all other matters. I travelled with my two sisters and we are quite laid back people so we were a bit bemused with the deference shown to us. After checking out we were asked if we were taking the train. We said yes and the staff gave us coupons for the train. It turns out they were tickets for a free ride back to Ueda. It felt like a Studio Ghibli experience at an...

The ryokan was a bit hard for us to find but we asked one of the locals who were happy to point it out. The staff saw our arrival from the entrance and rushed out to help with our luggage. It was a very effusive greeting full of warmth and friendliness. ||We stayed 2 nights in a Japanese style room with private open air hot spring bath including breakfast and kaiseki dinners. The room was amazing – clean, comfortable and luxurious. We had a massage chair in the room which massaged all the bones out of me. ||The breakfasts and kaiseki dinners were so delicious. On our second night, mid-way through our dinner the staff actually forgot about us! We were about 3 courses into our dinner and then no one came for a very long time. After half an hour we went out of our private dining room to investigate and could not find anyone. I wanted to leave but my dinner companions were not willing to leave half an expensive dinner behind. Finally we flagged down a staff after an hour of waiting. She expressed mild surprise, muttered something about having forgotten us, gave us a half-hearted apology and went to get a staff to serve us the rest of our dinner. Given the length of time we waited, I found it very disconcerting that a proper apology or an explanation was not given. ||Aside from this bizarre event, the staff were very attentive in all other matters. I travelled with my two sisters and we are quite laid back people so we were a bit bemused with the deference shown to us. After checking out we were asked if we were taking the train. We said yes and the staff gave us coupons for the train. It turns out they were tickets for a free ride back to Ueda. It felt like a Studio Ghibli experience at an...

We stayed at Kashiwaya Honten in Bessho Onsen for one night in January.

The ryokan was a short drive from Bessho Onsen Train Station, with a free shuttle service provided. It was quiet, peaceful, and tranquil, situated on a hill with a superb view of Ueda and its surroundings. Conveniently, it was located right next to Kitamuki Kannon Temple, while Anrakuji Temple was just a five-minute walk away.

The ryokan provided excellent service. The staff were attentive, prompt, and proactive, demonstrating both initiative and anticipation.

Our room, located in the annex, was spacious, cozy, and clean. The futons and pillows were comfortable. Our room had a open-air cypress bath, with free-flowing hot spring water of outstanding quality. The water left a smooth, silky, and powdery feel on the skin long after soaking.

The kaiseki breakfast and dinner were delicious, made with fresh ingredients.

Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed our stay and would choose Kashiwaya Honten again if we visit Bessho Onsen...