Shunran no Yado Sakaeya is a ryokan in the center of Shibu Onsen, one of the hot-spring towns of the Yudanaka-Shibu area in Yamanouchi, Nagano, and a short ride from the snow monkeys of Jigokudani. It opened in 1927 as a shop selling geta sandals, became a full-time inn in 1950, and calls itself “an inn where you can become gentle.” Before you book, three things matter: the free pickups from Yudanaka Station run only at set times and need a reservation; the private sauna bath costs extra unless your plan includes it; and the inn changed its bath hours in 2026, so check the current times when you arrive.
Shunran no Yado Sakaeya at a glance
| Item | Official information |
|---|---|
| Location | Center of Shibu Onsen, Yamanouchi, Nagano (2171 Hirao) |
| Founded | 1927 |
| Check-in / out | 15:00 / 10:00 (until noon at 3,300 yen per room per hour) |
| Curfew | None (night entrance) |
| Rooms | 6 types, all non-smoking |
| Baths | Men’s and women’s indoor and open-air baths; private sauna bath (extra fee) |
| Dinner | “Kaiseki Komachi,” a creative Japanese course |
| Prices | From 17,600 yen per person, 2 adults per room, tax included |
| Payment | JCB, Visa, DC, American Express and other cards; PayPay |
| Station pickup | Free at 14:40, 16:20, 17:40 by reservation |
From the official site, read October 14, 2026.
Which room should I choose at Sakaeya?
The inn has six room types in three groups, and every room is non-smoking; there is a smoking area on the 4th floor. Only the two suites have a bath of their own.
| Room | What it is | Bath and toilet |
|---|---|---|
| Yoimachi Suite | Bedroom plus Japanese room, for 2 to 4 guests, opened 2018 | Private open-air bath of free-flowing hot spring water, shower, toilet |
| Semi-Suite Yu | Bedroom plus Japanese room for 2, with a mini kitchen, opened 2020 | Private view bath of free-flowing hot spring water, toilet |
| Shinano Modern | 6-mat Japanese room plus 7.5-mat bedroom with low beds and local crafts | Toilet only |
| Toki no Kura | 16 sq m Western-style room with low bed and sofa | Toilet only |
| Tatami Za | 8 mats plus a 6-mat living area with a raised tatami corner and a small garden | Toilet only |
| Sanya-tei | 10-mat Japanese room with a wide veranda, for families and groups | Bath and toilet, separate |
From the official room pages, read October 14, 2026.
The Semi-Suite Yu takes 2 guests, or up to 4 for a family with preschool children. For the other rooms, ask the inn how many guests fit, because the room pages and the plan list differ. Free extra beds are available on request.
The baths at Shunran no Yado Sakaeya
What is the hot spring like?
The inn blends two springs: iron-rich, reddish-brown water piped from Jigokudani and a mineral spring that rises at 98°C. The indoor baths mix circulated and free-flowing water; the open-air baths are free-flowing only, and the inn says it adds no water and no heat. The indoor baths are 90 cm deep, so you can stand in them, and there is also a carbonated bath. On clear days, the open-air baths look out to the mountains of northern Nagano.
When are the public baths open?
The inn announced new bath hours in April 2026, with breaks for cleaning during the day and at night, and its pages do not all show the same times. Ask at check-in for the current schedule.
Is there a private bath or sauna?
Yes. Two private sauna baths opened in 2021, each with a natural hot-spring bath, a sauna of about 80°C, a cold plunge and a rest area; the 6th-floor one has an outdoor deck. A session costs 5,000 yen for 1 guest, 7,000 yen for 2, 9,000 yen for 3 and 10,000 yen for 4, tax included, and book ahead; for same-day use, phone the inn. One plan for the modern Japanese rooms includes 100 minutes in it. Guests also get a pass with a master key to Shibu Onsen’s nine public bathhouses.
Can I bathe with a tattoo?
The official pages do not mention tattoos in Japanese or English. Ask the inn before you book. Our tattoo and onsen guide explains what to ask.
Meals at Shunran no Yado Sakaeya
What is dinner like?
Dinner is “Kaiseki Komachi,” a creative Japanese course built on old local vegetables and newer Shinshu ingredients such as Shinshu beef, Ogon Shamo chicken and Shinshu salmon. Later dishes are cooked after you sit down so they arrive fresh. The autumn menu ends with beef cooked on a hot lava stone. Both dinner and breakfast are served to each guest, not as a buffet. The official pages do not say whether meals are in your room or a dining room; groups in several rooms can eat together.
Can the inn handle allergies or a special diet?
The inn asks about allergies and swaps ingredients if you tell it in advance. A 2025 notice says same-day changes are hard and not every allergy can be handled. The pages do not mention vegetarian or halal meals, so ask before you book. If you leave early, the inn can give you a rice-ball box instead of breakfast; ask by check-in.
Prices and rules at Shunran no Yado Sakaeya
How much does a stay cost?
The official plan list starts at 17,600 yen per person for the standard plan with 2 adults in a room, tax included. The sauna plan starts at 28,600 yen and the all-inclusive premium plan at 37,300 yen. Book on the English booking page to see the price for your dates.
What extra taxes apply?
Yamanouchi charges a bathing tax of 150 yen per night for guests aged 12 and over. Nagano Prefecture’s accommodation tax, in force since June 1, 2026, is 200 yen per person per night for the first three years; it does not apply when the room-only rate is under 6,000 yen before tax. The inn’s pages do not say whether these are in its prices. See our onsen bathing tax guide.
What about children?
The booking page has categories for elementary-school children and children aged 3 to 6, with or without meals and bedding, and for children under 3. The official pages do not list children’s rates. Children get dishes adapted from the adult menu or a one-plate meal, and baby food costs 3,000 yen plus tax for dinner and breakfast. Baby beds and chairs can be borrowed.
What is the cancellation policy?
Cancel 8 days or more before arrival for free. After that: 30 percent from 7 to 4 days before, 50 percent from 3 to 2 days before, 80 percent the day before, and 100 percent on the day or for a no-show. See our hotel cancellation guide.
How do I pay?
The inn takes JCB, Visa, DC, American Express and other cards, plus PayPay, though some plans may not allow them. It cannot exchange foreign currency; the post office is a five-minute walk.
Getting to Shunran no Yado Sakaeya from Yudanaka Station
From Nagano Station, take the Nagano Electric Railway to Yudanaka Station, about 60 minutes. From there it is 7 minutes by taxi or about 10 minutes by bus; any bus from Yudanaka works, so get off at the “Shibu Onsen” stop. The inn’s free pickups leave Yudanaka at 14:40, 16:20 and 17:40 and need a reservation; other times cost 500 yen per person each way, which is also the price of a ride to the monkey park. For the monkeys themselves, see our Snow Monkey Park guide.
Drivers park in the inn’s lot just before the building, marked “Sakaeya P.” Campervans and minibuses cannot enter the town and must use a paid lot. From late November to late March, come on winter tires. Paving work on nearby streets runs until the end of November 2026, so some roads around the town may be closed.
What foreign guests should know before staying at Shunran no Yado Sakaeya
- The inn warns of fake messages in its name, sent by WhatsApp, email or SMS after a breach at its booking system. It says it does not use messaging apps to confirm bookings or ask for payment.
- Reserve the free station pickup in advance; it does not run every hour.
- Tell the inn about allergies when you book, not on the day.
- There is no curfew; late returns use the night entrance.
- Pets cannot stay.
Frequently asked questions
Does Sakaeya pick guests up at Yudanaka Station?
What time is check-in and checkout at Sakaeya?
What is the cancellation policy at Sakaeya?
Can I use the baths at Sakaeya with a tattoo?
Can Sakaeya take me to the Snow Monkey Park?
Bottom line (2026): Shunran no Yado Sakaeya is a ryokan from 1927 in Shibu Onsen, with free-flowing open-air baths, a private sauna bath for a fee, and a creative kaiseki dinner. Reserve the station pickup, tell the inn about allergies early, and book on its official English booking page.
Sources
Every fact on this page is from Shunran no Yado Sakaeya’s official pages: home (Japanese), home (English), rooms, hot springs, private sauna, access, cancellation policy, plans, company history, the FAQ on rooms, meals and access, and the official English booking page; and for taxes, Yamanouchi Town and Nagano Prefecture. All were read on October 14, 2026. Prices and rules change; check the official site before you book.
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