It is said that hot springs were already gushing out in Yudanaka during the Jomon period. Documents show that the hot springs were discovered 1,350 years ago during the reign of Emperor Tenchi. The hot springs were named "Yokarei," which means longevity, and have long been popular as a hot springs resort known for its miraculous powers of healing illnesses and revitalizing the body and mind. Kobayashi Issa, who had a deep connection to Yudanaka, also left behind famous poems such as "The steam floats, and the butterflies float too."
Biyu no Yado is truly an inn of hot spring power. You can enjoy the hot spring water in the large public bath, open-air bath, rooftop private open-air bath, and two special rooms, which is 100% genuine hot spring water that is not diluted or heated. The hot spring water, which is an original blend of three hot springs, is the only one of its kind in Yudanaka, certified under Nagano Prefecture's own hot spring standards. This certification is renewed once a year, and safety and security standards are always maintained.

But that's not all. The hot springs are thoroughly managed by a hot springs keeper, who keeps track of the ever-changing condition of the hot springs depending on the season, weather, and the temperature of the day, and takes care to ensure that bathers can always enjoy the optimal water temperature and volume. The hot springs keeper also makes sure to record the quality of the springs every day.

The hotel offers a wide variety of guest rooms, including Japanese-style rooms with views of the river and mountains, as well as twin Western-style rooms, special Japanese-Western rooms with 8 tatami mats, and special Japanese-style rooms for groups and families. The hotel is bright and clean. When you are shown to your room, a message of Issa's haiku handwritten by the female proprietress is casually placed at the entrance, conveying the inn's careful attention to detail. The special rooms are the Western-style "Issa no Ma" and the Japanese-style "Biyu no Ma." These are luxuriously spacious spaces where you can enjoy 100% natural hot spring water while gazing at the majestic Five Mountains of Hokushin. Handwritten calligraphy by Kobayashi Issa is also displayed inside the "Issa no Ma." Guests staying in special rooms can also enjoy a premium special banquet meal using Shinshu beef and rare Kijima Hirame rice.

Dinner is a "Shunkan Kaiseki" course that lets you taste the flavors of Shinshu. The colorful dishes, which incorporate seasonal ingredients from Shinshu, such as wild river fish raised in the pure waters of the Chikuma River and fresh vegetables, are very nutritious. The Shinshu Premium Beef used is a top brand with excellent aroma and texture that has passed Nagano Prefecture's unique "New Standards of Taste", and you can request it to be cooked the way you like. The specialty grilled shiitake mushrooms, which are served still on the seedlings, are a treat unique to this area. When in season, you can also request a seasonal Shinshu tempura platter or salt-grilled river fish. After the meal, you can relax with a drink in the modern lounge. The lounge next to the front desk is a community space with a view of the city and the Yomase River below, with steam rising from the hot springs. It's also a great place to relax in the morning.