The Shibu Onsen and neighboring Yudanaka Onsen areas are full of ryokan, traditional Japanese inns. There are over 30 ryokan and hotels in the Shibu Onsen area alone.
For an overview of the available accomodations and price ranges, check out the Shibu Onsen Accommmodations page.
Taiyokan Yamatoya is located somewhere.
"I've been staying here every New Year's holiday for skiing."The second is from 2011:
"It's a little bit far (about 10 min on foot) from the (central) Shibu Onsen area, but this inconvenience is compensated by the great service; the parking lot is large and they provide a bus service to the Jigokudani Snow Monkey park."
Stayed here during the New Year's holiday. I guess they have done some renovation, because some areas of the hotel were newer and some were older. The room was clean. I wished they cleaned the floor with the rotenburo (outdoor bath) better. Maybe it was because the hotel manager was very brief, but he didn't seem as friendly. The ryokan hostess(es) were polite and approachable, however. The food was characteristic of the mountains, with mountain vegetables, carp, and inago (rice grasshoppers). Apparently you can also order Shinshu (Nagano) beef steaks and bashimi (horse sashimi). Everything was delicious and portions were good. I would gladly stay here again.
Most popular ryokan in Shibu Onsen, in front of the Oyu (Large Bath)
We stayed here one night, 3 adults and 1 child. From coming to meet us, showing us to our room, and providing welcome tea service and snacks, to explaining the Shibu onsen "tour", they were very courteous. Meals were served in a banquet room. They have a coffee service on the first floor after breakfast. Personally I found it very unfortunate that smoking was permitted in the lobby and in front of the large bathing area. Smoking is also permitted in the rooms, but we asked for a non-smoking room and it didn't have any cigarette smell. The view from the room had atmosphere and was very nice. It was great to have the footbath and popular #9 bath so close by.