We visited a small town about 45 minutes from Nagano city called Yamada onsen in July of 2006. We stayed at a great ryokan called Fukeikan for a couple of nights. The staff at Fukeikan is very attentive and eager to use their English skills. They even took us on a field trip to see the fireflys!
My wife and I really enjoyed the rotemburo because of it's scenic location and the sound of rushing water coming from the river just meters below. The entire grounds are well kept, as are the rooms. The dinners and breakfast (which were fresh and delicious) were also more enjoyable because of the unique scenery.
Although we rarely return to the same location when travelling, we will definetely make this a regular stop.

Hi Ditza,

Welcome on our forums. Yamada Onsen area is a fantastic place to soak, and offers great opportunities year around.

I myself visited the onsen in Fukeikan in the middle of winter, when the waterfall was almost completely frozen! A great bath, definitively. Have you had the opportunity to stop in the nearby ryokan, like Taki no Yu and Goshiki no Yu? They also offer great baths in natural surroundings...

Thanks for sharing your trip's details with us! Hope to read from you soon again.

Here are some detailed information on Fukeikan:

Entrance fee : 500 yens
Bathing time from 11:00 to 15:00 (from 9:00 to 15:00, mixed bathing; the rest of the day, the outside bath is segregated and reserved only for people staying in the ryokan.)
Internet : http://www.fukeikan.co.jp
Phone : 026-242-2611
Adress : 〒382-0816 長野県上高井郡高山村山田温泉

Pictures taken in winter :



You can find more details on Secret Onsen - Fukeikan


sanji