Scenic Hotels in Gero

"Environment and Service: The hotel is quite large and relatively new, with a big courtyard perfect for a stroll. There's also a shuttle service to and from the station. The only minor drawback is that rooms on one side face the train tracks, which can be a bit noisy, and the soundproofing isn't great."

"This might be the highest hot spring hotel in Gero. If you miss the shuttle, it's quite a walk uphill. The hotel is divided into the old wing and the new wing. The old wing has a lot of mosquitoes and poor soundproofing, while the new wing, though newer, lacks some of the old wing's charm. We stayed in the new wing with a private hot spring, but it was extremely small; the photos on Trip.com can be misleading."

"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."

"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!"

"The room is very satisfactory. It is very Japanese style. The housekeepers are like family. They are very friendly. The hotel has private baths, open-air baths and large baths. Since the hotel is very private, you will hardly see other people even in the large bath. It is very comfortable. The breakfast provided is also very rich and very nice."

"A charming and comfortable traditional Japanese ryokan. The location is excellent, directly opposite the JR station; you can easily reach it by following the pedestrian signs across the railway tracks. The staff were incredibly warm and attentive. They kindly allowed us to store our luggage before check-in, which was great for exploring the onsen town without any burden. Both breakfast and dinner were delicious and ample Japanese meals (washoku), for which you could confirm a preferred seating time. Complimentary coffee was also available in the first-floor lobby lounge. The onsen facilities were excellent, including a lovely open-air bath (rotenburo). Overall, we were extremely satisfied and would highly recommend this ryokan."

"**Cons:** - I had a disappointing experience with one of the drivers. He was very rude and had a bad attitude, especially when we couldn't understand his Japanese. Even though we didn't understand everything he said, his demeanor made us feel uncomfortable and negatively impacted our stay. **Pros:** - The hotel's location is very convenient, with shuttle service available. - The views from the hotel are beautiful. - The facilities are well-equipped and very clean. Overall, while the hotel has many positive aspects, the encounter with the driver left a sour note on our experience. I hope management can address this issue to ensure future guests have a more pleasant experience."

"The room was spacious, and there was a balcony where I could enjoy taking photos of the night view and starry sky. Drinks like beer were also free, so it was great value for money."