When we came out of Yudanaka Station travelling by train from Nagano (~1300 Yen p.p.) we got stopped by an older gentleman who insisted on helping us to find our hotel. I showed him our Expedia reservation and he mumbled: "Hmmm, yes..yes...Koishiya."
He had a hard time finding it on his free map and I was waiting for him to offer us an expensive shuttle or for him to hold up his hand for a tip. No such thing! He was a student from the local English school and even ran after us when I decided to take the adventurous road up the hill. "No, no. This road very hard, take the one by the river. Much better."
Such kindness and care set the tone of the best day ever at Koishiya.
Google Map had a hard time finding the Ryokan (search "Koishiya Yamanouchi") and the address pointed to this shady street next to a fancy looking hotel entrance. Pleasantly surprised we were to find out the fancy hotel was our resting place for the night. Shoes are OK when you enter the lobby, just not in the room.
The two boys running the place were more than accommodating and showed us kindly around the building.
The room was a traditional Tatami room with low table, mats, and soft mattresses you can lay on the floor. What? No TV? No, and that's better. WiFi, a heater, and the romantic atmosphere was enough.
We were offered to go to a super fancy Onsen (natural hot spring) in an amazing hotel nearby...for free?! First time in an Onsen, little bit awkward, but there was barely anyone there.