Kanbayashi Onsen is a small hot spring village located in the foothills of Joshinetsu Kogen National Park. With the Jigokudani Monkey Park located in Kanbayashi, within walking distance of all guesthouses, the village is busy during the day but quiet at night. Most visitors to the park come as day visitors, but those who go slower and choose to stay in Kanbayashi Onsen will discover some excellent ‘ryokan’ (traditional guesthouses), each boasting its own indulgent hot springs and ‘kaiseki’ (multi-course) meal service.

Located within the wider region of Yamanouchi, guests staying in Kanbayashi Onsen can access nearby Shibu Onsen and Yudanaka Onsen on foot or using local buses, while Shiga Kogen – Japan’s largest ski resort – lies only 20 to 30-minutes drive away and is also serviced by local buses. Guesthouses located in Kanbayashi Onsen will typically offer a free shuttle service to and from Yudanaka Station and may provide transfers to other nearby destinations.

For guests looking to stay only minutes away from the entrance to the Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, we have two accommodations in particular we would be thrilled to recommend: Hotarutei Villas and Kanbayashi Hotel Senjukaku.

Hotarutei Villas

Offering 2 private villas with attached hot spring baths and fine Japanese cuisine, Hotarutei Villas is blessed to be surrounded by beautiful nature and have as its main building a 170 year old former farmhouse.

Today renovated to provide the best in Japanese hospitality and aesthetics, families or groups of friends coming to Nagano will certainly enjoy a stay in one of its multi-bedroom villas.

Kanbayashi Hotel Senjukaku

The Kanbayashi Hotel Senjukaku, on the other hand, is a traditional Japanese Ryokan offering numerous room types, including rooms with attached private onsen baths. With delicious dinner and breakfast options available, no sense will be left unsatisfied at this fine establishment. Indeed, even the current Emperor of Japan himself has made more than one visit to the Senjukaku. Perfect for a honeymoon, special day, or just to enjoy Japanese culture at its most refined, the Senjukaku makes a perfect base to visit the snow monkeys or take a trip to nearby Shiga Kogen for hiking or skiing.