Ryokan Sakaya

We have been coming here every years for 3 years. Japanese style Ryokan with Onsen. Highly recommend

The basic rooms are pretty sad with the hardest Western-style beds. It was like sleeping on a table - and no, they were not futons. This wasn't a ski hotel, although most guests were here to ski in winter, and it wasn't quite the classic ryokan, caring experience either. Pluses - good, private onsen, close walk to the travellators and the snow, very clean, close to the town which was charming, and the staff were friendly and helpful. Negatives - tiny bathroom, rock-hard western beds, the view of a wall of ice from our third floor room was depressing and made me feel like I was in a bunker. I can see there are great reviews for this place - maybe they are for the more premium rooms?

Absolutely spectacular. If there is a more breathtaking and memorable onsen on this planet I will be shocked…it is perfection. Beautiful architecture generally and phenomenal meals. I feel incredibly lucky to have stayed here and experienced this taste of timeless tastefulness and authenticity.

Very nice spot. Incredible Onsen. Perfect location close to Yu road and restaurants. Very big room by Japanese standards. Very helpful staff. Ren spoke very good English. |For me the Onsen was the best|I also had the best massage of my life from a gentleman named Hideo. Fixed my back.

I cannot overstate how much we enjoyed our stay at Ryokan Sakaya. Special thanks to Yuki who went above and beyond to make us feel comfortable; the other staff members were also friendly and helpful (booking taxis, providing recommendations etc.). The location was perfect for a ski holiday and the whole place well set-up for this including: snow boots provided, a heated drying room /boot/ ski storage area, clothes washing facilities, shuttle if required (but walking distance to one of main gondolas). Really central in the right part of town too if you want to grab a restaurant meal or go for drinks. The rooms were basic and traditional, which we enjoyed and the setting with on-site onsen was fantastic. We enjoyed the service at breakfast, which felt very personal. Only criticism is that the shower facilities in the room were very basic and could ideally do with an upgrade. Regardless, we hope to come back to Japan and would certainly book here again.

I stayed two nights during the off-season just before Golden Week. Since I aimed for an off-season, there were few guests and I was able to relax. Facilities are old, but well cleaned and cared for. I and other guests were treated with the warmhearted hospitality that is unique to ryokan, which is different from that of hotels. Breakfast is sumptuous! Not only is it very tasty, but it is also visually artistic and an expression of Japanese stylistic beauty. It takes less than 2 hours from Tokyo to Iiyama by Hokuriku Shinkansen, and there is a direct bus service from JR Iiyama Station to Nozawaonsenmura. It takes less than 10 minutes on foot from the bus stop to Sakaya.

My husband and I stayed here while snowboarding in Nozawa Onsen for our honeymoon. We absolutely LOVED our stay at Ryokan Sakaya. The staff was so friendly, helping us via email with questions before we arrived and always being available for help during our stay. The location is perfect, easily walkable to the town and the ski resort. We can't wait to stay here again someday!

This ryokan is centrally located in the village and walkable to many nearby eateries, shops and short hike up to the ski resort. Asides from the excellent service we got from Masu (Matt), the service from the rest of the ryokan team was ambivalent. As it was clear we were there for skiing given that we had ski bags with us, it would have been nice if we were informed during check in that there were discounted ski passes for guests however we did not know and paid for the full price at the ski resort and only found out when we passed by the lobby subsequently. When I asked for water to drink at the tea room/lobby, the lady at the receiption informed me that there was water in the fridge of our room which left me very puzzled as the lobby was also known as a tea room and if there were no drinks served then why is it called a tea room? Aside from that, Masu (Matt) was stellar. He gave us the personalized service accustomed to a ryokan as he made effort to remember our room number as well as assisted us with our queries and luggages.