Hot Springs Hotels in Gifu Prefecture, Japan

Overall, everything was good, and we had a pleasant stay. However, I would just like to mention the hotel’s occupancy policy. Although the room had two single beds, the booking was only for one adult, and an additional charge was required for the second adult. We respect the hotel’s policy, but we hope the hotel may consider reviewing this in the future. Apart from this, everything else was good, and we enjoyed our stay.

This hotel is super convenient for solo travelers, being close to both the train and bus stations. The room was incredibly clean and surprisingly spacious for a standard room in Japan – we could easily fit two large suitcases! The hotel's location is also great, close to popular attractions and restaurants.

The hotel is very close to JR Takayama Station. After exiting the station, you don't need to cross the road; just turn right towards Tokyu Stay, and you'll find it after passing Ajikura Tengoku. The hotel's decor is very unique. We booked a corner triple room, so the space was incredibly spacious and comfortable. Besides drip coffee and tea bags, the room also provided bottled mineral water. There's an open-air bath on the 9th floor – simply flawless. Before my trip, I read many reviews recommending Hida beef, but to my dismay, I discovered Ajikura Tengoku was closed when I arrived (ugh!). Luckily, I quickly found Maruaki, a famous Hida beef restaurant open year-round. The beef was incredibly rich and fatty – you'll definitely fall in love with Hida beef! I'm already planning to come back next year! 😋

May 15-16, 2024 From the moment we saw photos of this special place on the internet, we knew we had to stay here! The natural rock onsen baths caught our imagination - and our stay was wonderful beyond expectations! The resort is located in a forested valley is stunning, next to a rushing river. Natural mountain hot spring water is channeled into 7 lovely outdoor onsen baths, as well as ensuite baths. The facility is beautifully designed with gardens and multi-level suites, with each of the levels looking out to the river, with plenty of seating to enjoy the relaxing and lovely views. We were treated with limitless thoughtful hospitality from the moment we arrived, to the moment we left - in fact, one of our group kept commenting ”the y[the staff] must think we're really special!”. The suite was beautifully appointed with tatami mats, traditional Japanese decor, comfortable beds, yukata and slippers are provided along with tabi socks and plenty of clean linens. Our suite had its own private onsen bath encircled by natural stones, and constantly running hot spring water. Such a contrast to water-parched California and even Hawaii where we're from! The outdoor onsens are open all night, for viewing of the starry night sky. The kaiseki dinner was exceptional, with many many delicious small plates, each exquisitely prepared and presented - a petite, freshly caught local fish was skewered as if swimming and roasted in a salt shell. Utterly delicious! In the morning, after a similarly wonderful breakfast, we experienced a mochi-pounding session with the hotel staff and guests joining in - lots of fun - photos were provided! Transportation - It was a challenge figuring out how to get to this place - finally, we had a Japanese-speaking hotel clerk call the resort, and got instructions for the 1-hour bus ride from Takayama bus station to Shinhotaka Onsen / Nakao Kou-gen-guchi. There are buses running every hour! We walked to the resort from the bus stop when we arrived, and a shuttle van to the bus stop was thoughtfully provided by the resort when we left. PS) I was unable to upload photos. Please provide an email, because you won't want to miss seeing this beautiful place!

Stay was worth every penny. Hotel was located very close to train station and bus station so travelling to and out from it was convenient. Check in process was fast and easy to understand. They even had tea ready during checkin Room was decently sized and very clean. I arrived during spring and the beds were so comfortable and warm The highlight of the hotel has got to be the onsen. They have both private onsen that you can book for an hour and common onsen. If you go around midnight (the onsens are open till 1am), its completely empty and you can enjoy it all for yourself. Word of warning though, you can probably be seen if you're standing close to the edge of the public open air onsen so maybe dont do that (or do whatever floats your boat). After the onsen you can help yourself to free drinks and snacks They had beautiful sakura blossoms during that time, and a public foot bath that can be enjoyed by all. I loved my stay here and will definitely return if I have a chance.

The location is incredibly convenient! It's only a 2-minute walk from JR, 3 minutes from the bus terminal, 10 minutes from Takayama Market, and 3 minutes from FamilyMart. The room was clean and came with a washing machine and microwave. There's an outdoor foot bath on the 9th floor, and indoor and outdoor hot springs on the 2nd floor. The men's and women's baths switch daily, so you can enjoy different styles – so thoughtful! Getting to Takayama from Nagoya and back was super easy; no need for a private car at all.

Magnificent stay at a natural onsen village. The most brilliant Ryokan you can imagine. Built at the beginning of the 20th century and renovated, all locations inside are beautiful and Instagrammable. Spent an anniversary here with my wife and had the best impressions of the whole trip. The Kaiseki dinner was above our expectations. The waitress explained everything, and we got a true cultural experience.

The environment here is great, and the shuttle bus service is very convenient. The hot spring area has several indoor and outdoor pools of varying sizes, so even when it's crowded, people can spread out. However, there's a lot of room for improvement in the service. The shuttle bus driver on our return trip didn't help with luggage, and when there was an issue with our pre-booked meal, the restaurant staff's attitude was quite stiff. Thankfully, the Trip.com customer service was quick to respond, which somewhat alleviated the unpleasantness caused by these issues.

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.

Our stay at Ryokan Gizan was a truly memorable experience. This is a traditionally built and decorated Japanese ryokan, with tatami floors, sliding doors, and an authentic atmosphere that makes you feel fully immersed in Japanese culture. It’s definitely a “must-visit” if you’re looking to experience traditional Japanese accommodation — even a short stay of 2–3 nights is enough to make it special. The ryokan is quite old, which actually adds to its authentic charm, though it might feel a bit less comfortable for more demanding guests. That said, it’s very well maintained and everything is clean and thoughtfully arranged. The onsen facilities were excellent — one public bath and four private ones that you can use freely. After long days of exploring, it was a real treat. We highly recommend booking with the traditional dinner included. The meals were a highlight: we had Yakiniku the first night and Shabu-shabu the second, both featuring fresh, generous portions of delicious food. Breakfast was a traditional Japanese set — beautifully presented and made with care, though not quite to our personal taste. The location is stunning — surrounded by mountains, rivers, and blossoming trees. It feels peaceful and remote. Just note that amenities like ATMs or grocery stores are limited nearby. However, it’s well connected by bus (just a 3-minute walk from the ryokan), which can take you to Kamikochi or the terminals at Takayama and Hirayu Onsen. Buses run about once an hour, so it’s quite manageable. Overall, a fantastic stay — relaxing, unique, and highly recommended for anyone looking to experience a more traditional and scenic side of Japan.