My family including 2 adults and kids 10, 12, 14 were guided by Zeno over December 2010.
The preplanning service was great and accurate - thank you the Ryokan was exceptional. We loved the private baths in the hotel. Food was first class as promised.
The local tour by Zeno was well organised especially the highlight the Monkey Park. We were as close as you wanted - even closer sometimes. We went in winter and we experienced  the monkeys inside their natural hot springs keeping warm and grooming.
Zeno thank you for taking my wife to the pharmacy in your own time to get her eye drops.
The local in-door archery was a one off experience as was the local shrine and brewery tour added just the right touch.
When we went skiing up the mountain it was a bonus bumping into you. Our ski instructor (who spoke English), 'At-Sushi' was amazing and the kids did really well with his instructions - note: At-sushi runs the local ski school.
Zeno you do a great job - keep it up!!
Rob
 

Zeno helped my girlfriend an I book an absolutely beautiful ryokan at an extremely reasonable rate a few months ago. He really went out of his way to find the ideal accomodations for us. Everything about our stay in Shibu Onsen was perfect and getting around was a breeze thanks to the information on this website. Thanks Zeno! You made Yudanaka/Shibu Onsen the highlight of our trip to Japan!

It's been a long time since we toured Nagano with Zeno and I'm finally saying thanks.
Zeno arranged a great day for us and our boys...even a private Ninja class for the boys and a small art tour.  He was laid back and friendly the whole day.  
If you're heading to this area, trust Zeno--and have him help you stay in the right ryokan (we didn't, and I'll always regret it!).   It is so worth it to have a tour guide to make the most of your stay in the mountains.  

I can't thank Zeno enough! It was like being shown all the sights with an old friend and without Zeno we would have been lost. Zeno has done an amazing job putting this lovely part of Japan on the map. Without Zeno's web page we would never have discovered it. We were thrilled with the beauty of the 900 year old cedar and fell in love with the snow monkeys, our accommodation was welcoming and friendly, But the highlight was Zeno's friendliness. For two women travelling alone we felt very comfortable and I highly recommend letting Zeno show you this beautiful area that he clearly loves and enjoys sharing with others. Thanks you again Zeno and best wishes for the future. Nancy Flammea

Zeno really helped me make the most of my time in Nagano!  I only stayed about 2 and a half days, but I was extremely happy when I left.  Zeno helped me book a resonably priced Japanese style hotel (ryokan) in the little onsen village.  The owners of the ryokan, were great, very helpful and friendly!  I don't speak any Japanese and we had no trouble communicating in English.  The meals were great and Keiko usually wore a kimono.  Without Zeno's help I never would have found such a great place.
I only got to spend 1 day with Zeno, but his knowledge of the area were great!  He took me snowboarding in the huge snow park of Shiga Kogen.  Without his help, I would have easily been lost amongst the 72 lifts in every direction.  Because of Zeno, I could see many different runs without getting lost in the mountains, and without killing myself on something too difficult (I'm a beginner after all)!  After 5 hours of snowboarding, we stopped off at a sake brewery for a tasting.  Zeno taught me a lot about the process of brewing sake and the different kinds...I think we tried everything that was available.  They also have great beer, which is hard to find in Japan!  I went back to my room that night with some tasty brews and a big smile!  Thanks a million Zeno!
If you are thinking of coming to this area, you'd be wise to contact Zeno.  His knowledge of the area make it possible to do many things you couldn't otherwise accomplish...and he's great to talk to!
Enjoy,
Justin - USA, living in Japan

Zeno has been most helpful with the arrangements for the nagano stay! I totally appreciate his help considering I am not proficient in Japanese language!! =) Thanks a million Zeno, I cannot express my thanks enough!!! I am very much looking forward to visiting Nagano!
Cheers,
Meryl

The Shibu Onsen was the 3rd stop of our Japanese Honeymoon in August 2010. We were very excited to have scheduled an authentic Japanese experience, visiting a small village with such a wonderful history and staying at a renowned Onsen, but we do not speak Japanese, so what brought us here was Zeno! The comfort of knowing that someone could speak to us, pick us up in town and be around if we needed help was very reassuring. Our experience was fantastic! The ladies that have your breakfast and dinner waiting for you are a delight. Zeno is an excellent tour guide which only enhanced our experience. We walked to the Monkey Park and were amazed! I only wish we would have scheduled a message with him! Thank you Zeno! All the best to you and your family!
Jordon & Guido
San Francisco

What a beautiful town. From the moment we were picked up at the station, we have had a n amazing stay. Every detail was perfect. The refreshments, yukata, bedding, hot spring, massage and the meals!! Best of all we travelled in Japan so far. Zeno and people around could not be more helpful and polite. Beautiful town, prefect onsen and a most comfortable and relaxing trip. Thank you Stacy,Mark and kids

We came to Shibu Onsen especially for the Snow Monkeys, but how wrong where we to think what it is all about !! Our stay became an experience to nver forget, and that is all because of you ZENO. Thank you very much fo your friendlyness, helpfullness, the advices for what to do and see, where are the best pictures spots. And lets not forget about the ryokan experience, traditonal dinners and breakfasts. Hope to see you again, but next time in winter... Bob & Manjolein

 Hi Zeno
Thank you so much for all your help with our stay. The traditional ryokan was delightful and the staff were charming - and as for the food - it was incredible! I can't believe how much time we spent in the onsen either :-)
The trip to see the monkeys was of course our main reason for going and we enjoyed every second of it, and the additional history you gave us about the region was fascinating. 
We also loved the sake factory - all the sake we bought has now mysteriously vanished lol - it was delicious.
If you ever come our way let us know.
All the best for the future
Dyl & Jonno.

Big thanks to Zeno for this site, the help with the booking and for picking us up from Yudanaka (plus the introductory chat). For anyone even thinking of going to Yamanouchi Town, the only thing I would say is that you must go. It is an amazing place full of beauty, friendliness and new experiences. Getting there is very simple so there is no excuse!
As well as enjoying the trip there, and the beauty of the area, we had the hot springs, two incredible meals and a stunning walk to the Snow Monkey Park. Quite honestly, it was so good, it now seems like a dream. We even found local wine and real ale (Shiga Kogen Pale Ale is a winner!).
We can't recommend it enough.
 
Mike & Helen
London
 
 

Hi Zeno-san, Thank you for your kindness and massage. I was able to find your web page.
I want foreign people to know the splendor of the Shibu Onsen and Japanese culture, too.
Our friends and Our family are big fan of your massage.
In addition, We will look forward to seeing you next year.
Shinya & Reiko

Hi Zeno!  Thank you so much for making our stay in Shibu Onsen so relaxing and healing.  It was the perfect way to end our trip in Japan after hiking in the mountains on the Nakasendo trail and seeing the snow monkeys.  The massage and the hotsprings were exactly what I needed and Shibu Onsen was so charming.  Thank you for the great website and the hospitality during our visit!  I hope we meet again some day.
Jane and Mike
 

Dear Zeno, thank you so much for making a dream week-end come true!
We had wonderful time in Shibu Onsen and the surroundings. Everything went as smoothly as can be imagined by reading your comprehensive web-page. Thank you for the pages as well!!
The hospitality and service were unforgettable and the english speaking staff made our stay even more pleasant. It was very considerate to explain during the delicious dinner what to eat with what and in which order. One could feel at home!
We will miss the warm baths of the ryokan and relaxing zen-massage! With best greetings from Tokyo and Finland!

We have recently arrived back from a 3 week trip to Japan. This was my third trip to the Country and this time I decided to travel a little further a field. I'm so glad we made the effort too! It is so rewarding to get out of the city and see a different side of Japan. I found Zeno and learnt about Shibu Onsen via searching the internet. Zeno, Thank you so much for all your help during our stay. We had such a wonderful time and appreciate your help so much with dropping us off to train stations and even posting parcels back to Australia. I really hope we can make it back with our 3 daughters to experience winter in Japan and to go skiing in the local area.
Sophie & James Medd.
Blue Mountains, Australia.

I know you must get thank you emails all the time but I have booked a 2
night stay at Shibu Onsen purely because of your fantastic website and
helpful information, you make it so easy! I was originally looking at
staying in Nagano but it looked busy like Tokyo and I feel much happier
now I have found your website and booked at Shibu Onsen. I'm already looking forward to the dinner and breakfast experience, hot springs and
traditional Japanese culture, my boyfriend is in for a nice surprise
when he sees how beautiful it is. I decided to splurge a bit and
book 2 nights because it looks like there is so much to see and do and
of course, relax. This is only because of the level of detail on your
website so thank you so much!
Kind Regards,Sal Malone

Like many other travellers we stumbled across Zeno's site and thought it too good to be true. Not so! We loved every minute of our stay. From the minute Zeno collected us from the station. We felt so welcome and comfortable. Zeno answered all our questions. The onsen village consists of a narrow cobbled street flanked by beautiful old onsen hotels. At night it is a fairyland of street lamps with Japanese couples clopping (in their geta)along the cobble stones to visit the nine public onsen. The atmosphere was magical. Our hotel was lovely. It had 9 onsen, two available for private reservations. Dinner was superb. They served our meal and took time to explain the food and help my husband with his Japanese. I only regret I could not fit in a hot stone massage from Zeno. I will never forget our night at Shibu Onsen. We initially were attracted to the area for the monkeys but found something even better! Thank you Zeno! We recommend you unreservedly!

Dear Zeno: I cannot express just how appreciative and thankful I am to have stumbled across this website. Not only did Zeno eagerly give us advice on how to get to places, and was just the most friendly, considerate person I have ever met- the staff at ryokan were SO amazing as well! They all seemed to relate to each other as family, and the staff took baths along with the customers, so the guests also felt included in this warm family atmosphere. The price was very reasonable, and you can choose from 'standard' or 'kaiseki' dinner. We had the most lovely meal- I wish I could post pictures up here! We had unlimited green tea at our disposal which was incredibly nice. I forgot to ask about a non-beef/pork meal (not completely vegetarian, but I cannot eat those two meats) and they changed it at the last minute. (Sorry and thank you!!) They were so incredibly kind!! Also, anyone who is staying at a hotel/ryokan in Shibu onsen area has FREE access to the public baths as well, which I didn't know! It was a wonderful addition to the baths in each individual hotel/ ryokan. Kokuya also had an indoor private bath available, and outdoor private bath available upon request- both 24 hours!! It was soo incredibly beautiful. I cannot say enough! I truly believe hotel Zeno recommended, was the best ryokan out of Yudanaka-Shibu onsen, and truly the best ryokan I have ever been to! It's been a little over 24 hours since I left, and I miss the atmosphere already. If you have the chance to go, stay there at least one night, you will not regret it! Just the BEST people ever, and the best experience! i will treasure the memories forever! Thank you Zeno, for having this wonderful website and sharing this opportunity with us gaigokujin- this website is invaluable!!! I will definitely be seeing you again and until then, I wish you the best of health and happiness! Sincerely, Christie Lee from Tokyo/ Encinitas, California

Thank you so much, Zeno, for all your help and knowledge. We stayed at Hotel you recommend for two nights and just got back to Tokyo right now. You have worked so hard to show people about this wonderful town. I really want to come back to Shibu Onsen town.  We also had a great time at the monkey park and the Onsen-ji temple. I hope I can come again in the winter when it is snowing. Thank you so much and hope to see you again! Devon Hughes, Tokyo

I want to tell you how very much we all enjoyed and appreciated your
company and attention while we were at Shibu Onsen. You are a really
good person. We will remember the trip for a long time.
THANK YOU from all of us. Daniel

You recently helped me (and my friend) find accomodation at Shibu. We just got back from Japan and had an absolutely amazing time.
Thank you so much for your help, the hotel was an incredible way to introduce us to the Japanese inn and we would never have found it without your help.
Japan just blew us away with its beauty and the wonderfulness of the people. Thanks again.

Paul Kounnas

Zeno, We met on the street by the Oyu onsen by the foot bath on Monday. Thank you for providing a helpful site for us gaijin that love Japan but don't speak/read the language. We especially appreciated the hospitality shown to us by both you and the lady from the udon/soba restaurant (don't know the name).
We drove 5 hours that morning to visit Jigokudani and Shibu Onsens, They were every bit as enjoyable as your site depicts, and we only wish we could have spent more time there as we had to drive back to Yokosuka in Kanazawa prefecture that evening.
Best to you and your wife - and thanks again! Highest regards,
Mike Amis LCDR,
US Navy

Thanks Zeno, Im coming on my 3rd trip to Japan from Australia in October and you information was great. Im definately coming to stay at Shibu Onsen your map & info is very helpful Thanks again!
Sophie.

I love to watch your New Zeno's Guide. I think your guide is so unique, refreshing and entertaining and I want to say thank you!

Zeno - I am just back in the UK after visited Japan for 2 weeks with my wife. We visited the snow monkeys (although no real snow at the time!) and I just wanted to say many thanks for setting up the website and keepng it up to date.

We got the Shiga Kogen-bound bus from the east exit of Nagano JR station which dropped us by the petrol station (the Kanbyashi Onsen stop) and then walked off the main road, past the museums, on the trail to the monkeys. After spending 30 minutes or more watching the monkeys and taking photos we then walked back to Yudanaka station and got the train back to Nagano. I feel this was a really good way to visit as we didn't mind the walk for an hour(ish) back to Yudanaka station - it was great to walk through Shibu Onsen, buy a vending machine coffee and to visit the temple in Yudanaka (a pleasant surprise). I think your new map will be very useful to visitors. Many thanks once again, Peter, Manchester, UK.

THANK YOU!! I love the hints and detail you've put into this! I'm so excited to give it a go!

When somebody wants to visit Japanese mountains he maybe think of Nagano at first. Then he searches the internet, what interesting is over there and surely he must discover Jigokudani Monkey Park next to Shibu Onsen. And finally he wants to spend there few nights (because the monkeys having bath must be amazing), thus he must find and book a hotel. That was exactly my train of thoughts and thanks to Zeno´s guiding website and Zeno himself, me and couple of my frineds could have spent three days in wonderful Shibu Onsen part of Yamanouchi town. Zeno helped us with booking a hotel (traditional Japanese ryokan with hot open air mineral bath) and gave us very useful advice and information about monkey park and the history of Shibu Onsen. So if you want to find the true atmosphere of the Japanese spa and hot onsens as well as the snow monkeys having bath, I recommend you to go to this area specialy Shibu Onsen. Stepan

When searching the internet for information about Nagano and its surroundings, I found Zeno's website about the Yudanaka area. What a nice website with lots of helpful information!!! For this reason, we decided to change our plan (so not to stay in Nagano) and that we would like to stay in Shibu Onsen. Zeno has been extremely helpful in finding a suitable hotel for us in the area! Thank you so much for all your help Zeno! We are looking forward to meeting you in Shibu Onsen in November!

Greetings from Amsterdam!
Jeroen and Ynske

I just add new button FORUM to the main Menu and removed some questions and answers there. Please write your questions or comments to the Forum from now to tide it up little bit and make it easier for everybody. Thank you very much. ZENO

I really enjoyed your Zeno's Guide. I believe it is the best travel guide I've ever seen. I'm a Japanese woman liveing in the U.S.A. for more than 42 years. If I was the half of my age, I sure would love to visit Yudanaka-Shibuonsen. Your guide make me feel so appreciative about my home land Japan.

This site is fantastic. Very comprehensive and helpful. Thanks! Now if only I can find something in clear English for every other place I want to go in Japan. :)

Thanks Zeno, your website is incredibly helpful and you have been so kind in answering my questions via email. I hope to see you in November when we head to Yudanaka.

Thanks again!

Thanks Zeno! Your web-site is very helpful.