Iwane Sanso

⛰️A highland lodge for Hyakumeizan hikes and Ogawayama climbing

Nagano · Iwane Sanso

1

A lone highland inn at the Chikuma River source

• 🌲At the southeastern tip of Nagano near the source of the Chikuma River, surrounded by lettuce fields and larch forest.
• 📜The inn opened in May 1986 and has been run with local support ever since.
• 🏔️Peaks of around 2,500 m surround it, and it sits at the foot of Ogawayama, a climbing mecca.

2

Tatami rooms facing Yaneiwa

• 🛏️All 17 rooms are Japanese-style: twelve 8-tatami, three 10-tatami and two 6-tatami rooms.
• 🪟Every room faces south toward the Yaneiwa rock formation.
• 👘Toothbrushes, towels and yukata are provided, plus tanzen robes in spring, autumn and winter; hair dryers are lent at the front desk.

3

Rhododendron open-air bath and indoor baths

• 🪨The Shakunage-no-yu open-air bath, named for rhododendrons on the hill behind, uses artificial mineral stones.
• 🕒It is open 15:00-21:00 for up to 10 people, can be reserved privately, and closes in winter.
• 🚿Indoor baths for men and women use artificial hot spring water and are open 24 hours.

4

Mountain inn cuisine

• 🍜Handmade Shinshu soba, highland vegetables, wild plants and mushrooms, char and Shinshu beef.
• 🥩The Shinshu beef plan adds steak and sukiyaki to the standard dinner.
• 🌅Breakfast starts at 5:00 from April to October and 6:00 from November to March to suit hikers; rice balls for lunch can be ordered.

5

Dining room with a wood stove

• 🔥The dining room has a Vermont Castings wood stove and rocking chairs made by Yoshio Tabuchi.
• ☕Coffee and tea are served free at breakfast.
• 🏟️70- and 30-tatami banquet halls and five washing machines suit sports camps and training groups.

6

Climbing and nature activities

• 🧗In winter the inn runs the Iwane Ice Tree ice-climbing wall and rents climbing gear.
• ✨Stargazing, wild-plant foraging, bonfires, wood chopping and chair-making are offered.
• ⛺Guests can pitch a tent on the inn's grounds.

7

Base for Hyakumeizan peaks

• 🥾Convenient before or after climbing Mt. Kinpu and Mt. Kobushi, both among Japan's 100 Famous Mountains.
• 🗻The route from the inn via Kinpu Gorge to Mt. Kinpu is 16 km round trip, about 5 hours 40 minutes.
• 💧The Mt. Kobushi route follows the source stream of the Shinano River past its source marker.

8

Access and parking

• 🚃From JR Shinano-Kawakami Station on the Koumi Line, 40 minutes by bus or 30 minutes by car.
• 🚐A shuttle bus is available; contact the inn for details.
• 🅿️Parking for 30 cars; check-in 15:00, check-out 10:00.

3

Rhododendron open-air bath and indoor baths

• 🪨The Shakunage-no-yu open-air bath, named for rhododendrons on the hill behind, uses artificial mineral stones.
• 🕒It is open 15:00-21:00 for up to 10 people, can be reserved privately, and closes in winter.
• 🚿Indoor baths for men and women use artificial hot spring water and are open 24 hours.

4

Mountain inn cuisine

• 🍜Handmade Shinshu soba, highland vegetables, wild plants and mushrooms, char and Shinshu beef.
• 🥩The Shinshu beef plan adds steak and sukiyaki to the standard dinner.
• 🌅Breakfast starts at 5:00 from April to October and 6:00 from November to March to suit hikers; rice balls for lunch can be ordered.

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A tatami-room mountain lodge well suited to Hyakumeizan hiking, climbing and highland activities. The baths use artificial rather than natural hot spring water, the open-air bath closes in winter, and many guests are group camps.

#Kawakami#NaganoRyokan#Hyakumeizan#MtKinpu#Ogawayama#IceClimbing#MountainLodge

* This introduction was compiled from information published by each property (official website and similar sources), so some details may differ from what you find on the day. It is AI-assisted and can contain errors — please check the official website and the details shown at booking before you reserve.

Check In/Check Out Policy · Check In: 15:00 · Check Out: 10:00 · Last Check In: 21:00

* These policies are the property's own text, in English; the cancellation policy shown at booking takes precedence.

From onsen etiquette to check-in — the things worth knowing first.

What are the check-in and check-out times at Iwane Sanso?

Check-in starts at 15:00 and check-out is by 10:00.

Where is Iwane Sanso located?

It is in Minamisaku-gun. Address: 547-129 Kawahake Kawakamimura.

What is the cancellation and refund policy?

Free-cancellation deadlines vary by rate plan and are shown with each room. Cancelling before the deadline gives a full refund.