Nagano, Japan Hotel Rooms at the Independent

Although we only stayed overnight, the hotel staff was helpful and the In House restaurant was excellent for dining. It is located 5min walk from the Negano train station. The in house restaurant has excellent dining and the presentation was fabulous looking and great tasting with both Western and Japanese dishes. Our daughter was not feeling well to go down for dinner. The restaurant staff prepared a great looking take away dish for my daughter that was in par with those provided in the restaurant itself. The rooms themselves were pretty standard as expected. The room could use more AC outlets available to charge all the gadgets in prep for the next day traveling. We certainly recommend this hotel.

Hotel used when hiking in Hakuba area. Provides all what I needed as a medium budget hiker. One of the best accomodation during my 2 weeks trip to Japan. Close to a railway station.

I would highly recommend this accommodation. The place was clean, cosy and is right on the ski runs so good for ski in/ski out. Most importantly, the staff are fantastic and will go out of their way to assist (one helped us fully plan our trip to see the snow monkeys-a must see). Overall we really enjoyed our stay and would definately return if we go back to Hakuba!

In beautiful Hakuba, Gakuto Villas is a gem! Spotless, modern two story villa. All the amenities of home in really cool facilities. Totally hi-tech: wifi included, floor ambient heaters (although we didn't need them in August), bathrooms were tricked out! Downstairs was like a Japanese bath with shower and soaking tube in a room separated by toilet with a sliding (Waterproof) door. Upstairs bath was equally cool. Modern toilets, of course. Hakuba is so charming and the more we explored, the more we liked it. Though our host Kayo warned us that many restaurants were closed, we found some good eating. Wondering why it's not a more popular summer destination it's so beautiful.

Staff was phenomenal. Onsen was clean and beautiful. Food was good. Only complaint is the comforters were very hot and room temperature was difficult to manage. But the experience was awesome and we'll be back

It was a fantastic experience. Staff is so generous that you feel treated like a king. Having a bath in the outside pool sorrounded by snow was one of the best experiences in my life. Food good. Walking distance to the Snow Monkeys Forest. A+.

Wonderful staff, meals and room. Would highly recommend staying here to relax and enjoy the natural beauty of Hakuba.

We LOVED this place. A typical Japanese Ryokan writ large. Each room is made to look like a classic inn but it's all brought into the modern world. At check in yukata clad staff greet you warmly and take you to your room for a nice tea ceremony you are pampered. Though the outside could use some work, the ryokan itself is lovely. We had the family room with a balcony hot tub, outside, enclosed shower, nice bathroom, entry alcove for shoes, refrigerator, tea service etc. The public baths upstairs are spotless, brand new and they offer a nice twist by switching male and female access each evening so each can appreciate the other's uniquely styled bathing areas. Open baths take in the mountains (though views around the hotel aren't so nice. I sat out under the roofed (and I hope lightening protected) bath during a thunder storm and deluge, it was totally cool. A couple of downsides: we didn't realize that the meals needed to be booked with the reservation and were unable to add it after checking in. (Why not?) Did I say the town is sleepy and tired? A real disappointment. We went to the recommended sushi restaurant and it was one of the worst meals we had in Japan. At check in, a staff member took my passport and driver's license and then forgot to return it -- I was caught up in the excitement of the place and failed to notice when I only got my license back. Fortunately, ryokan forwarded passport to next lodging after we noticed it was missing. .

The rooms are comfortable and the staff helpful and informative. The breakfast is yummy and the dinners that you can book to have at night are delicious - tasty, and beautifully presented using fresh ingredients.

Clean and a short walk from the station. Helpful staff.