“Low-key onsen is a great value; easy trip up from Tokyo”

Easy bus ride from the Nakanojo train station. Hotel is a 1 min walk. Overall, it was exactly as expected. Building looks a little run-down from the outside but inside it's well kept (but old). Likely needs a fresh coat of paint and a deep clean, but otherwise fine. Rooms are cozy. Make sure you get a room with a river view—the sound of the waterfall as you fall asleep is what you are paying for. Staff seems to be entirely Nepali or Northeastern Indian. It doesn't bug me, as they speak great English in addition to Japanese. I liked that the meals were not in your room—in other ryokans (I've stayed in a bunch by now) the constant fussy and obsequious service and knocking on the door gets old fast. It's good to have a separate place to go to eat. Meals were delicious. Honestly, dinner and breakfast of full-on 和食 is more than enough for me. In-room bath was wonderful and the continuously flowing hot water is a big bonus. Downstairs bath also great. Loved watching the waterfall while I soaked. There's a little combini next to the hotel if you want to buy alcohol and snacks. You can walk around Shima Onsen town in the evening. Will keep you busy for an hour or two. There's a pizza place in town if you want to skip the dinner at the ryokan. Would happily return or recommend to friends that want a low-key onsen ryokan experience.

“A Whimsical Onsen Experience!”

We had a wonderful time at Shima-onsen - it felt a little bit like a fairy-tale! The room was gorgeous, with a giant window overlooking the river, as well as a beautiful private onsen. The shared public baths are also absolutely spectacular, a little corner of relaxation that feels almost magical, with the most beautiful view of the river. Everything was very clean, the staff were very friendly and welcoming and the food was amazing - super tasty and beautifully displayed! I wish we had stayed longer!

The location was beautiful, the onsen were luxurious, and the rooms were lovely. Kaiseki dinners were delicious.

“Wonderful, beautiful onsen for a relaxing trip”

Beautiful place facing the river Very attentive staffs that makes us feel welcome Place is small enough that you can enjoy the entire outdoor onsen to yourself The private onsen in the room is like icing on the cake

“お姫様になった気分でした”

We had a room with a private wooden bath, so we could bathe whenever we desired to! Not only was the room extremely comfortable and quiet, but the service was great too. The person, making sure our stay was as comfortable as possible was very kind to us as well, despite the language barrier. This was our last stop on our Japan Trip and it made the whole trip so much better, being able to hop in a private Onsen whenever! There was also an Additional Onsen you could rent out for an hour for 3000 Yen. It includes two different baths, one indoor and one outdoor and was definitely worth the price. The Food was incredible as well. We arrived by car, our luggage was carried up for us and our car was parked properly, so we really had nothing to worry about other than to find the place and relax our night away! It's a little off the beaten path. I'm not sure if you can reach the hotel easily by Train but it's quite simple with a car if you're confident in driving in Japan. There's a lot of beautiful scenery around too, such as a huge dam at the top of nearby valley, with an adorable little restaurant. I highly recommend the room we had for couples if you would like a romantic evening together!

“A small Ryokan that can calms and relaxes you.”

Toshimaya is a small ryokan, very family and couple oriented. The staffs were all helpful and reliable to help with anything. What makes the experience great was that the view of the river just right beside the Ryokan, even when bathing in Onsens, the outdoor has a nice Snow forest view, along with the calming sound or the river flows. It just make the stay and bathing so much more relaxing and refreshed. I am glad that the staff were able to cater to our late arrival and delay our dinner for half an hour, due to transport troubles during our journey to the hotel. The team even sends a car to pick up our luggage from the bus stop, because the road was having a snow slushie, and it was hard to walk, even though it was just a stone throw away from hotel. Will definately come back again for the stay, it was worth it though its just a night here.

“Ultimate relaxation”

This was a fabulous overnight trip! I booked on the day and took the highway bus from Tokyo Station to avoid transfers and chill out. I was dropped right out the front of the accommodation where a staff member was unexpectedly waiting to welcome me. I could not fault the service. Staff were so polite and helpful, doing their absolute best to explain things to me when I didn't understand the Japanese signs and such. The rooms are lovely but simple, in-line with Japanese style. The private onsen was so relaxing in the winter chill. You can see the snow on the trees while you soak. The meals were also a whole experience. You wear the provided yukata and get a semi-private space to dine in. At dinner it felt like the courses were never-ending with new dishes coming out one after the other, all immaculately presented. While I was busy eating, a staff member prepared my room for the evening by setting out the futon and the in-room tea set. There were thoughtful little details throughout my stay- could not recommend this place enough! One night was sufficient for me, but if you are driving or coming in a warmer/drier season, you may like to make the most of the hiking trails and neighbouring sights.

The place was beautiful, clean and peaceful. The staffs were really friendly and helpful. The room was spacious, clean with its own open air bath, and a beautiful view. Everything was arranged perfectly and the food was delicious. I will definitely visit this place again.

“Shima onsen town is ideal for a night’s stay surrounded by nature. We loved it.”

Gorgeous room and onsen. Great good and service!!

“Great escape from the city”

The food was great and so filling that after breakfast we would usually skip lunch because we wouldn't get hungry until dinner. The room was lovely and nice and spacious. The private bath and outdoor shower was a great. We also walked up to the town to explore and the stores had some great souveniers so it was definitely worth wondering around the area as well.

“I will surely come to visit again!”

Very authentic experience with wonderful dinner and breakfast. The staff was very friendly.

“We really loved our stay! Traditional ryokan in a tranquil place”

Traditional ryokan in beautiful surroundings. Private bath on the terrace, nice view. Amazing food. Good Onsen with river view

“a beautiful hotel in a picturesque location.”

Toshimaya was beautiful and we really enjoyed our 2 night stay with half board (breakfast and dinner). we booked a room with a private timber onsen bath which was outdoors, under a roof and absolutely amazing. the two basement communal onsen were also beautiful and located right next to a mountain river that made a constant sound as it flowed over a waterfall right in front of the hotel. the across to the hillside was very picturesque despite most of the snow having melted when we were there. absolutely get the half board breakfast and dinner. these were a definite highlight of our trip to Japan. very traditional with some delicacies that I imagine are a bit less common nowadays. the tatami room with big window to the hillside was mesmerising. a beautiful hotel with very friendly staff.

“10 out of 10”

The room with the private bath looking at the river was amazing. We had an exceptional Japanese style accommodation. Breakfast and dinner were satisfying and delicious. The staff was very friendly. We had a great time at this onsen hotel.

“Wonderful onsen escape in the snow”

Incredibly comfortable, the onsen was great, the atmosphere was class rustic Japan, the meals were superb, and the beer was cheap, delicious and readily available

Fantastic food, staff, and facilities.

“Great private onsen experience overlooking the river & nature”

Great highrise riverside ryokan furnished with good taste of traditional interior. Much better than many ryokans of this type which use cheaper artificial materials. The private onsen was fabulous and met our expectation.

Dinner was incredible.

“Perfect for a relaxing stay in an idyllic rural Ryokan”

Staff were exceptional in the Ryokan, they looked after us from start to finish! We really enjoyed our time in the private onsen being able to relax surrounded by the sound of the river next to the baths and the dinner which followed was amazing!

“Nice stay”

Nice outdoor bath