Sumiyosiya Ryokan

If you want a beautiful, truly traditional japanese ryokan, this is the place. The architecture of the entire ryokan is gorgeous. It is very well decorated and charming. The two traditional onsens are small but quite enjoyable. The owner has recently, about 2 years ago, also added a private onsen that has a large sliding glass door that opens on to a small rock garden with a privacy fence to give a rotemburo atmosphere. It does require a reservation and has a very reasonable charge for its use. We stayed in a corner room with ensuite toilet, shower, and an ofuro type tub. the room has western style beds. The rest of the room is very traditional Japanese with tatami mats in the main room. It also has a sitting/sun room with a nice view of the ski hill. We were there in the winter for skiing. As such, a yukata, haori (thick overcoat), and tabi socks were provided to wear while in the ryokan. A very comfortable room. The staff, to a person, were all very warm, friendly, and most helpful. The owner would present our breakfast and dinner everyday. She said that the ryokan had been in her family for 150 years. The breakfasts and Kaiseki dinners were sumptuous. The owners son was the chef and had trained in Tokyo. He was very skilled in his presentation and flavoring. There were a couple of mornings and evenings when we were on our own to explore other restaurants in town. The owner was quite helpful in providing suggestions and even called to make a reservation for us. We there at the end of January for the skiing. I bought my ski pass at the front desk at a reduced rate. It was a quick walk to the Yu road escalator that saved a much longer hike up the the ski area. The ryokan also has a basement with lockers to store ones ski equipment everynight. They also have a large basket in each room. At the end of every ski day one places their wet ski gear in the basket just outside their room door. It is collected and in the morning it is dry and neatly folded in the basket outside the door. The town of Nozawa is at the base of a mountain chain and as such some of the streets can be rather steep. But they are short. It also has many onsens, some private, some public. It is a quaint, old, beautiful town to wander around and explore. It was a most memorable stay. Arigato gozaimas - Miha, Chiro, Hiroyasu, Kanga, and all the staff of Ryokan Sumiyosiya !!!