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Jinpyokaku Honten is a traditional Japanese style ryokan, set in Yudanaka, northwest of Tokyo. Reached by a 50-70 min train ride from Nagano Station, on the Tokyo-Nigata line connected by Joetsu Shinkkansen (Bullet train), Jinpyokaku is brilliantly located in easy reach of the Jigokudani Monkey Park. More widely known as the 'Snow Monkeys', the Japanese macaques are often seen bathing in the hot spring onsens near Yudanaka, during the winter months.
Accommodation at the Jinpyokaku ryokan comprises of only 6 rooms, creating a very intimate and traditional atmosphere. All rooms are housed in a private building, called Hanare and are elegantly designed in traditional style with beautiful tatami floors and futon beds. The indoor and outdoor hot spring onsens are ideal after a day our exploring the mountains on foot or by bike. Delicious meals are prepared by the owner’s wife so you can look forward to real authentic Japanese meal.
Yudanaka Onsen has a long history of being a hot-spring resort that dates back to hundreds of years. Guests at Jinpyokaku Honten are well placed to visit the nearby Jigokudani Monkey Park with many hot spring pools, one of which is for exclusive use by the monkeys that can be seen bathing mostly in cold winter months. Near the top of the town is a 25-meter-tall bronze statue of Kannon, the goddess of mercy and at its base is the Saigoku temple with 33 statues, both worth visiting.
Amenities
Bar/PubCoffee ShopConciergeCribs/Infant Beds AvailableFamily RoomGardenMultilingual StaffRestaurantSafety Deposit BoxesStay Jinpyokaku Honten features just six en-suite rooms. All are in Japanese style and tastefully designed with traditional tatami mat floors, futon beds and hot spring baths made out of local cypress. Each room is housed in a private building, called a Hanare, sleekly designed with traditional features such as sliding paper doors and low seating areas with cushions. All rooms are well-equipped with modern comforts, such as free WiFi, a flat-screen TV, refrigerator and free wi-fi.
ChildCare Families with children are welcome to stay at Jinpyokaku Honten but there are no specific facilities available for children.
Dine There is a communal dining room at the Jinpyokaku Honten where simple yet delicious meals, using freshest local ingredients and cooked by the owner’s wife are served. Kaiseki Japanese traditional multi-course includes the main dish called "shabu-shabu" prepared with prime Shinsyu beef and is tender and juicy. This is served with sake, made at a local brewery and rare ‘phantom rice’, so called because so little of it is produced each year.
Relax Ryokans are traditionally very limited when it comes to facilities as they are often locally owned and very traditional. Jinpyokaku is located in a quiet onsen resort, where you can relax in an indoor bath surrounded by a Japanese garden where men and women bathe together. It also has an oke bathtub that is unique to Japan. Guests can enjoy Japanese onsen supervised by a yumori (onsen keeper).
Experience Yudanaka is the main entry point to the Yamanouchi area famous for its Jigokudani Monkey Park that draws many visitors to its ‘Snow Monkeys’, who bathe in the park's natural hot springs. Guests at the Jinpyokaku Honten are well placed to visit the park and also explore its beautiful surroundings. Nearby is the narrow Shibu Onsen street surrounded with ryokan hotels, some of which are over 400 years old and has a real Japanese atmosphere.
Location Jinpyokaku Honte is located in Kambayashi Onsen, near to Yudanka in the Japanese Alps. It's just a short transfer from Yudanka Station, that can be reached from Nagano. It only takes 30 minutes to walk to see the 'Snow Monkeys' in Jigokudani Monkey Park.
Getting there Yudanka can easily be reached by train from Tokyo to Nagano, and then catching a further train on the Nagaden Nagano Line to Yudanka. Staff from Jinpyokaku will meet you at Yudanka Station for your short transfer to the ryokan.
When to go Japan kicks off its year with cold winter days when temperatures occasionally drop below freezing. Spring (March to May) brings pleasant, warm days, and early April is probably the best time to view the cherry blossoms. Summer (June to August) is hot and muggy. Autumn (September to November) means the return of the dramatic foliage season, when the parks and green areas of the city mellow into varying hues of orange and red.
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