Hot Springs Hotels in Gifu Prefecture, Japan

Visited one of Japan's top three hot spring towns and booked a traditional Japanese-style room at a century-old hotel, which included two meals. The hotel offers a shuttle service from the train station, which was incredibly convenient. Check-in was a breeze thanks to the friendly staff at the front desk who spoke Chinese. The room was exceptionally spacious with stunning views from the window – perfect for two people. The hot springs themselves, both indoor and outdoor, were wonderful. Gero Onsen truly lived up to its reputation; my skin felt incredibly smooth after a soak. Free cold drinks were available post-soak, and the milk from the vending machine was particularly delicious! The meals provided by the hotel were also plentiful and tasty. The entire hotel had a very authentic Japanese ambiance. Although we only stayed for one night, we're already looking forward to a longer visit in the future! Highly recommended to everyone.

The hotel is located on a mountain, but they offer a shuttle service to and from Gero Station, which is very convenient. Upon check-in, a staff member gave a detailed introduction to the hotel's facilities and mentioned that the Emperor himself has stayed here twice. The staff member was very meticulous and polite. We stayed for two nights and experienced different room types, both in the main building and the annex. The main building felt a bit older, while the annex was newer and featured private onsen baths in the rooms. The hot springs were excellent. The public bath was spacious, and there were very few people when we visited. Booking a private onsen was easy, though the tubs are quite small. Breakfast was thoughtfully prepared, with different dishes served each of the two days. Most of the hotel staff can speak English, and there's even Chinese-speaking staff at the front desk.

This was my second stay, and the experience was just as great. The room was clean and comfortable. They have staff who speak Chinese, and they were very attentive, recommending nearby hot springs and restaurants. The owner also speaks a little Chinese. The simple breakfast was fantastic, and the hot soup was delicious! You can leave your luggage at the 1F lobby during check-in or check-out, and they can also arrange a taxi for you. Highly recommended!

Impression: Ogawaya was one of the three day-trip options I considered for my Gero trip last summer, and it left a great impression then. So, when planning this winter trip, I really wanted to stay here for a night. Since I booked late, I was lucky to even snag a room. Service: The front desk had a Chinese-speaking staff member who was, hands down, the loveliest Chinese-speaking person I encountered on any of my trips. Unlike some uncomfortable experiences I had at Dormy Inn Kumamoto and with the Nohi bus today, this young lady was genuinely warm and friendly. Facilities: During my day trip last summer, I only got to use the women's bath that was open in the afternoon. It was very clean and had a silk bath. This time, I tried the other bath in the morning, but I still feel that Sagi-no-yu has a more unique charm. Also, on the first floor of the scenic view building where I stayed, there's a 'Can Onsen' (sparkling onsen) which is open to women from afternoon to evening. It features a highly concentrated carbonated hot spring. Although it's artificial, it's definitely worth trying. The lobby has a self-service drink bar, and after a hot spring bath, enjoying a cold orange juice while watching the river flow by outside the window is incredibly relaxing. Drawbacks: The only downside was the noise from my next-door neighbors. I don't know who they were, but this is the only Japanese hotel I've stayed in where I've experienced such loud noise. Despite having two layers of doors, I was disturbed both in the evening and in the morning. Highlights: A great bonus is that the hotel's refrigerator has a freezer compartment – a freezer compartment! Perfect for storing ice cream!

We made a last-minute dinner reservation, but they handled it courteously. I was also pleased that they quickly addressed the mistake I made when I made my reservation. From the hotel's bath floor, I could see the Nagara River right in front of me, and I was amazed by the beautiful view. The bathroom in our room was also lovely. Dinner was good, but breakfast was also excellent, and it got me excited from the morning. Thank you for a fun time.

One of the most unforgettable stays we’ve ever had. From the moment my family stepped through the door, we were wrapped in a warm, cosy ambience that instantly made us feel at ease. The room was impeccably clean and wonderfully comfortable, offering the perfect space to relax and unwind. Both dinner and breakfast were nothing short of exceptional—each meal thoughtfully prepared and absolutely delightful. The onsen, overlooking a serene river view, was the true highlight, creating a tranquil and almost dreamlike experience. Every moment spent there felt precious and completely worthwhile.

I chose this hotel because of its location and really good nightly price for a ryokan, which exceeded my expectations. I was also amazed by how massive the hotel was. Overall, I had an exceptional experience staying here. It’s less than an 6-minute walk from Gero Station. The hotel seems to wait for each train’s arrival to pick up guests, which was a nice gesture. We arrived quite early—several hours before check-in—but were able to store our luggage. The check-in process was smooth, and the staff who attended to us did an excellent job explaining the hotel’s facilities, services, and amenities. The service was truly top-notch. The room we reserved was very spacious, with plenty of room to move around and arrange our belongings. Everything was well-maintained, clean, and tidy. The beds were comfortable—I slept very well. The breakfast was wonderful. The dining hall is large and well-organized; despite how crowded it gets during breakfast time, it didn’t feel packed. The food selection was remarkable, with a wide variety of dishes to try. The onsen was incredible. I took multiple baths while trying out the different public onsen—there are three at the hotel, each offering a unique vibe. The facilities and amenities were exactly as advertised in the Services & Amenities section. Out of my recent two-week trip, this accommodation will be the most memorable—not only because I thoroughly enjoyed my stay, but also because I won Monkey D. Luffy Gear 5 figures from the claw machines in their game corner. It was so much fun.

The whole facility is very clean. The bedroom is traditional Japanese style tatami and we love the quilt comforter. It's so soft, thick and fluffy! This is the best comforter we have used in Japan so far! Really keeps us warm through the night! There's a small entrance gate and door to our room, which is so unique. The traditional breakfast served was superb too!

This was the first hotel we stayed at in Takayama. The room was quite spacious, and the public hot spring facilities were a nice bonus. In the evenings, they offered tangyuan (sweet glutinous rice balls) and ochazuke (rice with tea) as a late-night snack. The breakfast had a good variety of options, and it seemed like most of the guests were foreigners. The location was excellent, very close to the station and all the main attractions, so no complaints there. The only downside was that the prices jumped significantly for the next day due to the Takayama Festival, so we ended up switching to a different hotel.

Japanese-style Ryokan. As indicated by hotel, no private bathroom or sink is provided and has ”curfew” at 11pm. Public bath is quite small (3pax for male, 2pax for female) but very large for pax count with an indoor and outdoor bath area. Area is not near public transport but is on the same side and near Miyagawa Morning Market and Sake Breweries (~10min).