What onsen day trip near Nagano

Hi,

Having posted here a while ago about a short 11 day trip in Japan, i was looking for some advice to fill up my itinerary.

So far this is it:

18 february: Tokyo
19-21 february: kawaguchiko
21-23 february: Izu peninsula (ito)
23-25 february: Nagano (nothing booked yet)
26: ?
27-29: Tokyo

As you can see I am looking to fill up my 23-26 february dates. I want to go to Nagano to see the snow monkeys, and relax in a onsen. Do you have any suggestions regarding that? Also, I was wondering to go to Manza Onsen or Kusatsu Onsen on the 26th. After that it would be back to Tokyo.

Basicly what I am looking for on these 3 days is a nice onsen where there will be outdoor baths, enjoying the scenery and perhaps some star gazing while in the onsen.

Would you recommend going to Manza or something like that? Or is it better to stay in Nagano for those 3 days?

Thanks for any info.

As you can see I am looking to fill up my 23-26 february dates. I want to go to Nagano to see the snow monkeys, and relax in a onsen. Do you have any suggestions regarding that?

I've stayed at Yorozuya a few times and I'd highly recommend it. The baths are great and it's close to the station. Quite a walk to the snow monkeys but you could take a taxi.

http://yudanaka-yoroduya.com/
https://www.google.com/maps/place/%E3%82%88%E3%82%8D%E3%81%A5%E3%82%84...

Would you recommend going to Manza or something like that? Or is it better to stay in Nagano for those 3 days?

Manza and Kusatsu are also great, but keep in mind that they are difficult to access from the Yudanaka area in winter as you'll have to go via Karuizawa. More info in the access section of this page:

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e7495.html

if you wanna find some less touristic onsen , in secret remote places, then i highly recommend this book:
http://www.amazon.com/Nagano-Onsen-Guide-Day-Use-Springs/dp/1481214047
i found so many great places there in this book. highly recommended.

extremly nice is Shirahone Onsen, which is close to matsumoto:
http://www.go-nagano.net/modules/contents07/index.php?id=1&mode=disdet...

this page lists some nice onsen places also:
http://www.go-nagano.net/modules/contents07/index.php?id=1&mode=enjoyf...

Ah, the rotemburo at Yorozuya! What a bath....

Thank you for your replies.

It seems best to stay in a place like Shibu onsen for a day or 2 and perhaps then move on to Matsumoto for 1 day.

I was thinking of booking trough the website of this guy Zeno. Would you recommend that?

Thanks again.

It seems best to stay in a place like Shibu onsen for a day or 2 and perhaps then move on to Matsumoto for 1 day.

Shibu Onsen and Yudanaka are right next to each other and kind of blend together, so either could be on your radar. I'd book based on how the hotel looks and not worry too much about the location.

I was thinking of booking trough the website of this guy Zeno. Would you recommend that?

I didn't realize Zeno was still operating his services after the earthquake. He was one of the first in the area to offer English language services and I've heard good reviews in the past but nothing recent. Not sure if he's actually in Japan though, so maybe you may not be able to get the in person service that I hear he used to provide.

Well, I tried to book with him, but the ryokan I requested is full. He is still operating then it seems :)

Most of the available ones that are left in Shibu are a bit expensive.

Would you say Shibu and Yudanaka are similar? I thought the attraction of Shibu versus Yudanaka was the fact that Shibu is older and more quiet, and has the 9 baths to sample.

Thanks