Amongst the forests and mountains of the Joshinetsu Kogen National Park lies the town of Shima Onsen, a sleepy hot spring town home to over forty natural mineral springs. Set at the heart of the small town is Shima Tamura, a traditional Japanese ryokan that dates back to 1563, with its own private onsen springs set within the forest grounds of the hotel. Since its original inception, Shima Tamura has been extended and modernised, yet still has the restorative and therapeutic benefits of hot spring bathing as its heart.  

The rooms are either western or traditionally Japanese in style, some with their own private cedar onsen baths, and each designed in the simple and elegant style for which Japanese ryokans are so famous. Wooden screens, highly polished wooden floors and natural fabrics and finishes create a feeling of harmony with the forest environment, with windows that overlook the woodland, waterfall and hot springs. 

After days spent soaking in the hotel’s different hot springs, enjoy delicious multi-course Kaiseki cuisine - a traditional ryokan experience and the epitome of Japanese fine dining. A selection of freshly prepared local specialities will be served at a low table, with a focus on seasonal ingredients and meticulous preparation, usually followed by a traditional tea ceremony.