Staying at Nunohan Ryokan with a Baby

A Traditional Japanese Ryokan That Felt Very Baby-Friendly for Traveling with a 4–5-Month-Old Infant

This time, I’d like to share our experience staying at Nunohan Ryokan in Kamisuwa Onsen with our 4–5-month-old baby.👶

When traveling with a baby, staying at a traditional Japanese ryokan can feel a little intimidating. There are so many things to worry about—feeding, bathing, sleeping arrangements, and whether the hotel will truly be comfortable for families with infants.

But from the moment we contacted Nunohan in advance, we felt they were incredibly thoughtful and welcoming toward families with babies. After actually staying there, we genuinely felt that this was a very baby-friendly ryokan.

I hope this review helps other parents planning a trip to Japan with a baby!

 
 Why We Chose Nunohan Ryokan

One reason we chose Nunohan was that some traditional ryokans in Japan do not accept small children, but Nunohan clearly welcomed families with babies.♨️

We also found many reviews from parents saying they had a great stay with their infants, which made us feel much more comfortable booking it.

The location was another big plus. It’s about a 10–15 minute walk from Kamisuwa Station, and easy access is especially important when traveling with a baby and lots of luggage.

We also loved the calm atmosphere of this long-established ryokan. It felt like a place where both adults and babies could relax comfortably.

 
What Made Nunohan So Baby-Friendly

After staying there, we truly felt they had thought carefully about the needs of families with babies.

We contacted the ryokan in advance, and some items were prepared upon request. Here are some of the baby-friendly services and amenities we remember:

- Private dinner room option
- A cradle prepared at the dinner room
- Baby soap in the guest room
- Hot water dispenser in the room
- Diaper trash bin
- Baby tableware and juice service during meals
- Shared baby bath available in the public bath area
- Extra futon for the baby
- Nursing room inside the ryokan
- Baby bed in the hot spring changing room
- Humidifier in the room

It really felt like they understood the common difficulties parents face when traveling with a baby.✨

One of the most memorable things was how kind all the staff members were. They were warm and welcoming toward both adults and children, which made us feel very comfortable throughout our stay.

The ryokan had the peaceful atmosphere of a traditional Japanese inn while still being family-friendly, and we truly appreciated that balance.

 
 How We Actually Managed the Stay with Our Baby

♨️Bath Time

We brought our inflatable baby bathtub from home after deflating it for travel.

However, looking back, simply using the bathtub in our room together with our baby would probably have been enough.

The ryokan also had a shared baby bath available in the public bath area, but because of our baby’s age, we mainly used the private bath in our room.

💤 Sleeping Arrangements

We requested an extra futon for our baby.

In the end, though, we were worried about suffocation risks, so our baby slept on a thin, firm portable sleeping mat that we brought ourselves.

🍼Formula Feeding

The hot water dispenser in the room was extremely helpful for preparing formula.

For sterilizing bottles, we brought sterilizing tablets, freezer bags, and a bottle drying stand from home. Having these prepared made traveling with a baby feel much less stressful.

☀️ Temperature and Humidity

Although the room already had a humidifier, we also brought a thermometer and humidity monitor so we could adjust the air conditioner and humidifier as needed.

The room was comfortable, but checking the temperature and humidity ourselves gave us extra peace of mind.

👶Getting Around Inside the Ryokan

We used a stroller inside the ryokan.

It was especially convenient when carrying luggage or when our baby fell asleep.

We also enjoyed walking around the lobby and taking a stroll near Lake Suwa during our stay.

There is also a convenience store right next to the ryokan, which was very convenient.

 
Who I Would Recommend This Ryokan To

I would especially recommend Nunohan Ryokan to:

- Families traveling to Kamisuwa Onsen with a baby
- Parents looking for a traditional Japanese ryokan that welcomes children
- Travelers who want easy access from the train station
- Families who prefer private dining rooms
- Parents looking for accommodations with baby-friendly amenities

If you’re feeling nervous about traveling with a baby in Japan, this ryokan may help you feel much more at ease.



 
Final Thoughts

This was actually my first trip after giving birth, and we absolutely loved it.

Traveling to a hot spring ryokan with a baby can feel challenging at first, but staying somewhere with thoughtful services and supportive staff made the experience so much easier and more relaxing.

If you are planning a trip to Kamisuwa Onsen with a baby and are considering staying at Nunohan Ryokan, I hope our experience helps with your planning!

This soft baby blanket made our ryokan stay much more comfortable and cozy.

おくるみアフガントリコロール日本製

お出掛けの時や普段使いにも、包んだり掛けたり敷いたり色々使える便利なアイテムです。男女問わずお使い頂けます。