Daimaruya Ryokan

I will write an in-depth review as this Ryokan deserves it I stayed here for 2 nights and booked with booking.com I stayed in touch via booking and believe me the owners were very quick to reply. The manager Informed me he would pick me up from Yudanaka train station. He asked me what time I would arrive and since I used a phone app called HYPERDIA I knew what time I would get there. If you can’t his message says that to show his phone number to a certain person at the station and they would call him to pick me I was really impressed with this service. I arrived at 18:25 and like clock work he was there to pick me up. I said 18:30 but I got a feeling he was there early just in case which I am glad. The journey to the ryokan is less than 10 minutes. We arrived and I went it and I saw my name near the main entrance on a shot rack. The manageress who is married to the manager greeted me and showed me about. She showed me my room as I was staying a solo traveller and it was a big room as per my pictures. She explained there was a heater in it. There was a TV and a VHS player which I haven’t seen in 20 years which was so cool. If you use booking then you have to pay at the ryokan so please pay ASAP. I paid for breakfast and you can see how good the food is. As a Hindu I don’t eat beef but I said I eat other meat like pork, chicken etc which I said on the 1st day and for both breakfasts they made sure there was no beef served to me. The food was delicious and I think the manageress is a chef as well because her cooking is outstanding. Water is in main hall along with tea or coffee which is there between 0700 - 1100. The shower are shared but there three of them plus the ryokan has three onsens inside. If you never used one then please read the rules first or ask the owners. Please don’t be that foreigner who looks stupid by breaking all the rules. Please dry yourself off and don’t leave wet feet prints all over the place. The ryokan also has one private onsen outside of the ryokan and they have one key but I never used it The ryokan also has several keys to the 9 onsens which I also dive a MAJOR review for today so read that for all the rules and tips This ryokan sells the towel needed to get the stamps. The ryokan give me a couple of thank you gifts which I am grateful for. The ryokan has Yukata and winter Yukata called Hanten which I used since it is January. They have different shoes to use in different parts of the ryokan The next day I wanted to go to the snow monkey park which I have also done a major review today as well so please read that for tips The manager drove me for free and says if I needed to be picked up then I can call him. He recommended me a restaurant called enza or enzo cafe which you can guess I done a review and he also says which food to get. I contacted him on booking.com and within 25 mins he replied saying he will pick me up. He did so and he took me back to the ryokan. At night I did the 9 onsens and used the ryokan umbrella as it started to rain VERY slightly. I suggest walking around the area at night time. Your room key has a big piece of plastic attached to it which I had a bag to put into. The owners speak English but please just speak normal English, not street or stupid English slang. Just speak clearly and concisely and you will be fine. They also ask what time I wanted breakfast and as I was tired I says 10:00 and the manageress was okay with that time. They provided chop sticks bit since I been to japan and Hong Kong a few times chop sticks were not a problem but I am sure they can provide western cutlery. The WiFi is quite fast I would say as well The manger even took me to the train station and they have times the train leaves. For your info if you get the train from Nagano to Yudanaka it’s 1190 but you have to change but if you get the direct express it’s 1290 yen I will be back and will bring a few gifts for all the hospitality they provided me. I have been to lots of countries by myself over 15 years and Japanese hospitality along with American is the best. This Ryokan shows why is travellers should support them