THE SAIHOKUKAN HOTEL (Nagano Hotel Saihokukan)

Everyone, including the restaurant staff, welcomed us with warm smiles and friendly service, allowing us to relax and enjoy our stay. The food was delicious as well. We look forward to visiting again.

While looking for Accommodation for a visit to Zenkoji Temple, I was a bit nervous because the Reviews were not very positive. Still, I made a Reservation for the renovated Long Stay Suite and headed there.\nAt check-in, I was told the drinks in the Room refrigerator were free, so I thought it was lucky—but when I entered the Room, I was amazed. There was an incredible selection: several kinds of beer, sake, red and white wine, plus plenty of soft drinks. The compact kitchenette even had a full-featured BALMUDA oven microwave, so my partner and I agreed we should buy something nearby and do some simple cooking. We left the Room again and shopped at a supermarket we found past the nearby shopping street. We asked the front desk to lend us the cutlery we needed, then cooked dinner, ate, and enjoyed drinks—an experience that’s rare for a Hotel in the middle of town.\nThe layout is separated and easy to use, but the issue was the air conditioning. It seemed centrally controlled; even though it was still chilly in early spring, it felt uncomfortably warm inside. Cracking open the dining-side window made it just right.\nBreakfast was a set menu, but it was carefully prepared and delicious. The dining area was spacious as well, so it felt comfortable.\nIt’s about a 10-minute walk from Zenkoji Temple and about 5 minutes by taxi from Nagano Station, so the location is quite convenient. Overall, choosing this Room worked out well for us—we were satisfied.