Ryokan Ikoi Sanso

We are 3 people and are staying for 2 nights. This ryokan is really cozy, I feel like I can relax here the best in all places we were over the last 2 weeks in japan. The staff can speak english really good and is very kind. The breakfast was a feast. A mix between western and japanese food. We would have loved to get the dinner too but we should have told them 3 days before. Thats a fault on our side, because I imagine it quite tasty too. The rooms are old and you shouldnt move the traditional doors too much because they might fall out of their rail. We slept on futon in a room with complete tatami floor. The best sleep I had in a long time. The shared toilets are clean and function properly. The baths are clean and really comfortable too. I am excited what we have for breakfast tomorrow. Ah and we have a Kotatsu in our room, thats a first. I really recommend this inn!

we tried searching for other hotels closer to the station, but they were all either fully booked or out of our budget. fortunately, we found this gem located within a 15-minute walk from the station and right across a bus stop. we were able to communicate directly with the staff regarding our check-in time, who were super responsive through Agoda chat as well as phone, and could speak both Japanese and English fluently. it wasn't crowded during our stay; even had the entire bath (onsen) to myself. the amenities provided, such as facial wash, cleanser, and lotion, were plentiful, and the place was very clean. you can bathe almost 24 hours a day, except during the cleaning time. there was also a free-flow drink bar with tea & coffee and a microwave available, since the hotel doesn't provide dinner, you have the option to heat your bento. the nearest konbini is within a 4-minute walk. as expected from a traditional Japanese inn, the walls are pretty thin. there was one instance where I could hear somebody snoring at night, although that person's room was three rooms away from ours. but other than that, no complaints. the rooms were amazing, along with the kotatsu, which was a savior during winter weather. we could even see snow from our room windows; it was a perfect experience, to say the least. on a side note, we tried filming TikTok in front of the inn, and the staff came out. we thought he was going to warn us about not filming, but instead, he encouraged us and even recommended prettier spots to film like the garden next to the inn. such a good sport.

A very homely and cosy place for our family of four. The staff were extremely helpful to us during our stay, and am ever so grateful for their kind understanding. We stayed in the room with an attached bathroom, but also explored the public bath which was an equally great experience. Overall place was clean and friendly. While the location was a little far from the main town and Karuizawa train station. I appreciate the quietness in the night. Restaurant options were limited and have restricted opening hours but there is a convenience store with great variety of microwaveable options. There is a small park right behind the Ryokan which is great for kids. I will return again.

The hotel was very good! The food was amazing (I signed up for hot pot), the rooms are traditional and nice, the hotel has a nice communal bath, and the location is great (I went to onsen nearby and it is right by the train station). I highly recommend going!

A pretty cozy and quiet hotel inside popular Karuizawa area. Though it's pretty near Hoshinoya Karuizawa, but it offers home like and friendly feelings while staying here. Facilities and room amenities were sufficient and easy to access. My five stars choice with this pricing range while visiting Karuizawa. Great environment and staying experience.

It is very nice hotel. We stayed in rooms that had a tatami, and they were very authentic and comfortable too. Breakfast and service overall was also great, all the staff was very nice and accommodating. The hotel was also near a public onsen – only took less than 10 minutes to get there. The hotel was in a great location, easy to find, and easily accessible. I will definitely come back to this hotel the next time I visit karuizawa.

I understand, this hotel are decorate with japanese traditional and I don't care how luxury are, But the reason that I have to focus is good room service, The wall are thin and hear the other people noise and the bed, pillow or blanket, we must do it ourself.... Also the Television are too small size and I cannot hear the sound!. But I like this japanese traditional style of room. I'm not frustrating with it. And the bathroom should make it wide for the bathtub, please improve the qualities of service. Thank you

Marketed as Japanese ryokan, operates like a Budget hotel with as many rooms, bills like a 4-5 star hotel. Welcomes u with warmth at reception, but poorly insulated from cold in the common corridor and poor heating within the room. Thermostat of the heater keeps turning the heater off in the middle of the night, resulting in sudden plunge of temperature because the room and private bathroom is poorly insulated from the cold. Then the heater works double hard to catch up to maintain the set temperature. Offered a kerosene heater as alternative, in an otherwise already very squeezed small room. Far cry from the insulation of another accommodation in Canada where we could survive a power outage without heating element for several hours. Place a telephone in room which is only for room to room calling which did not even work! Cannot even offer local calls. Left one day earlier for mystays premier hotel because of my elderly parents and young kids and they redeemed the very muched missed Japanese hospitality.