Chūō-kan Shimizuya Ryokan

Top choice in Nagano Region


On Chūō-dōri a few blocks south of Zenkō-ji, this ryokan has been in the family for 130 years and offers a friendly welcome to foreigners. The rustic, dark-wood interior has plenty of interesting ups, downs, nooks and crannies. There's a guest laundry. Meal plans are available.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Nagano Region attractions

1. Zenkō-ji

0.42 MILES

Founded in the 7th century, National Treasure Zenkō-ji is home to the revered statue Ikkō-Sanzon, said to be the first Buddhist image to arrive in Japan …

2. Japanese Lamp & Lighting Museum

7.56 MILES

Showcasing lighting through Japanese history, including oil lamps and lanterns, this neat museum will flip the switches of design aficionados.

3. Hokusai Museum

7.68 MILES

Japan's most famous ukiyo-e (woodblock print) artist, Hokusai, spent his final years in Obuse. There's an audiovisual presentation on his life in the…

4. Takai Kōzan Kinenkan

7.69 MILES

Takai Kōzan, woodblock artist Hokusai's friend and patron, was a businessman and an accomplished classical artist specialising in elegant Chinese-style…

5. Togakushi-Hōkōsha

8.16 MILES

Although it's nestled among cedars apparently close to the village, Hōkōsha, the pretty lower sub-shrine of Togakushi-jinja, is reached via 274 ancient,…

6. Togakushi-Chūsha

8.27 MILES

One of the three sub-shrines of Togakushi-jinja, intimate Chūsha, meaning 'middle shrine', is the most accessible, located prominently in the centre of…

7. Togakushi-jinja

8.28 MILES

Comprising three sub-shrines, Togakushi-Hōkōsha, Togakushi-Chūsha and Togakushi-Okusha, each a few kilometres apart, Togakushi-jinja honours the 1911m…

8. Togakushi Folk Museum & Ninja House

9.15 MILES

Above the Okusha bus stop you'll find this museum housing artefacts from a time when local yamabushi (mountain monks) practised what became known as ninpo…