A relaxing retreat where you can soak in one of Japan’s three renowned medicinal hot springs.
Located in the mountains of Echigo, Hinano-yado Chitose sits in the Matsunoyama Onsen area, surrounded by terraced rice fields and beech forests. This ryokan offers baths fed by the highly concentrated hot spring waters of Matsunoyama Onsen, known as one of Japan’s three great medicinal hot springs.
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Services & Facilities
Inside, the inn is entirely covered with tatami mats, allowing guests to feel comfort from the soles of their feet. This design is the result of four generations of careful attention from the Chitose family. The idea was to recreate the moment when travelers in the past would remove their straw sandals upon entering, giving them a sense of relaxation the moment they arrive.
No slippers are needed ( all covered in tatami mats)
No slippers are needed ( all covered in tatami mats)
The rice is cooked in a traditional hearth inside the ryokan, using rice husks as fuel
It offers a diverse collection of books, including photo collections of Matsunoyama’s nature, biographies, novels, and manga.
“As travelers in the old days removed their straw sandals before entering an inn, I want to cherish that moment when guests can finally relax and let go of their travel fatigue.”
The rice is Koshihikari grown in terraced fields near “Bijinbayashi,” a famous beech forest in Matsunoyama.
During the day, it serves as a café and co-working space offering coffee brewed with hot spring heat. In the evening, it transforms into a bar where guests and locals alike can enjoy sherry, local craft beer, herbal and fruit liqueurs from the satoyama, and wood-fired pizza — creating a warm gathering place for the community.
Dinner at Hinano-Yado Chitose features a course of satoyama cuisine made with seasonal ingredients from the Matsunoyama region. Starters include “Onkochishin”, which incorporates local delicacies like mugwort wheat gluten, fermented tofu, and Toji Pork steamed using the inn’s hot spring steam. Another highlight is the Tanada Nabe, a hot-pot-style soup made with rice from the terraced fields of Uonuma and Matsunoyama.
Matsunoyama Onsen is a rare geopressure-type hot spring, formed from seawater that seeped underground over 10,000 years ago and was naturally heated. Despite being a chloride spring, the water has a mild, smooth quality that is gentle on the skin.
At Chitose, guests can enjoy several types of baths: the large outdoor bath “Honyara no Yu”, the open-air bath “Tsukimi no Yu”, and two private baths “Yama no Yu” and “Sato no Yu”. From the open-air baths, you can admire the surrounding mountains and the charming atmosphere of the hot spring town. The water’s gentle warmth penetrates deeply, keeping you cozy long after your bath.
Guests can choose from 12 types of rooms, including suites with private open-air hot spring baths, semi-suites, Japanese-Western rooms, traditional Japanese rooms, and detached villas. Here are some representative rooms.
This service uses a reservation request system. After we check room availability with the accommodation, we will propose the most suitable room and plan for you.Once availability is confirmed, we will send you our proposal via LINE, and your reservation will be finalized upon completion of payment.
Hot Spring Semi-Suite “Nagori Yuki”
This residence-style room features a spacious living-dining kitchen and a private open-air hot spring bath, offering a relaxing stay as if you were living in a hot spring town.
The living area is equipped with a large TV and a comfortable sofa, while the dining kitchen includes a bar counter, cookware, tableware, and a large closet—providing everything you need for a truly comfortable and extended stay.
Hot Spring Suite “Yuki Akari”
The 102㎡ Hot Spring Suite “Yuki Akari” is a spacious connecting suite featuring two bedrooms and a large living-dining kitchen area.
The first bedroom offers comfortable beds, while the second features a tatami-floored sleeping space with a small raised area (koagari), ideal for families with babies or multi-generational stays.
Guests can enjoy the luxury of a private open-air bath fed directly by the natural hot spring of Matsunoyama.
Hot Spring Semi-Suite “Nagori Yuki”
This residence-style room features a spacious living-dining kitchen and a private open-air hot spring bath, offering a relaxing stay as if you were living in a hot spring town.
The living area is equipped with a large TV and a comfortable sofa, while the dining kitchen includes a bar counter, cookware, tableware, and a large closet—providing everything you need for a truly comfortable and extended stay.
Hot Spring Suite “Yuki Akari”
The 102㎡ Hot Spring Suite “Yuki Akari” is a spacious connecting suite featuring two bedrooms and a large living-dining kitchen area.
The first bedroom offers comfortable beds, while the second features a tatami-floored sleeping space with a small raised area (koagari), ideal for families with babies or multi-generational stays.
Guests can enjoy the luxury of a private open-air bath fed directly by the natural hot spring of Matsunoyama.
Hot Spring Semi-Suite “Nagori Yuki”
This residence-style room features a spacious living-dining kitchen and a private open-air hot spring bath, offering a relaxing stay as if you were living in a hot spring town.
The living area is equipped with a large TV and a comfortable sofa, while the dining kitchen includes a bar counter, cookware, tableware, and a large closet—providing everything you need for a truly comfortable and extended stay.
Hot Spring Suite “Yuki Akari”
The 102㎡ Hot Spring Suite “Yuki Akari” is a spacious connecting suite featuring two bedrooms and a large living-dining kitchen area.
The first bedroom offers comfortable beds, while the second features a tatami-floored sleeping space with a small raised area (koagari), ideal for families with babies or multi-generational stays.
Guests can enjoy the luxury of a private open-air bath fed directly by the natural hot spring of Matsunoyama.
49-1 Matsunoyama Yumoto, Tokamachi-shi, Niigata 942-1432, Japan
By Rental Car from Airports
From Tokyo to Matsunoyama Onsen
Tokyo → JR Joetsu Shinkansen to Echigo-Yuzawa Station → about 15 min by car from Matsudai Station
Free Shuttle Service
Approx. 15 min by shuttle from Matsudai Station (advance reservation required)
Ryokan Name
Matsunoyama Onsen Hinano Inn Chitose
Address
49-1 Matsunoyama Yumoto, Tokamachi-shi, Niigata 942-1432, Japan
Baths
| Water quality | Sodium-calcium chloride spring |
| Free-flowing hot spring | Directly from the source |
| Opening hours | 6:00〜24:00 |
Facilities & Features
Common Amenities
