Shirakawa hotels

Pros: The hosting family is amazingly warm and helpful.

Pros: The family that has been running this Ryokan for 4 generations is amazing. The one daughter speaks very good English, but also was not a problem to communicate with the rest of the family. We had the corner room overlooking the river and the garden pond which was the most relaxing views. The dinner and breakfast were amazing, so much food and they even served us wagyu beef we were able to grill at the table. There is not an onsen at the Ryokan, but just up the street you can go to the public onsen which is also very nice and relaxing experience. Also it is right across from the bus station which is super convenient. I highly recommend staying here.

Cons: Nothing at all!

Pros: Very comfortable traditional Japanese hotel with a great services. I stayed in Japanese-Style Superior Room with Private Bathroom. It was so spacious and comfy. The dinner and breakfast were outstanding! The place is very near to the main bus station. Love everything here! Quite pricey but worth to!

Cons: Nothing!

Pros: Absolutely exceptional experience. There is no match for that type of hospitality. Having traveled extensively, we must say that this was one of the most exceptional food experience. It's hard to describe in a few sentences but there is no better way to experience Japanese cuisine.

Pros: The food.

Cons: Nil

Pros: What an experience! The food was as amazing as pictured, the family staff were so friendly, the vintage ryokan overlooked the snowy river isolated from the tourists. Every detail was well arranged and planned...down to the welcome tea and cookie, warm room waiting, umbrellas waiting when it might rain, warm boots waiting for us when we went out, pictures taken to commemorate our stay and meals prepared to any taste. The youngest daughter spoke perfect english, handling any of our requests with grace and ease. To our surprise they offered a Shirakawa-go village van tour. It was unique, entertaining and well coordinated we an informative and endearing english audio track for the driver/father of the family. This tour stood out as one of the best FREE experience offered by any global hotel in recent memory. The best hospitality we received on our 16 days (Tokyo, Nagano, Shibu Onsen, Nagoya) in Japan and made us feel right at home.

Cons: No internal bath, but we were provide passes to the public sento across the street.

Pros: We have great memories for thus trip from friendly and nice services. Moreover, the dinner and breakfast dishes were very delicious!

Pros: 135 year old ryokan run by the fourth generation Food truly outstanding each part a work of art. Delightful family. Wonderful village to tour and guests are given an overview tour. I highly recommend this ryokan.

Cons: Nothing

Pros: It was my best experience of my entire life. I appreciate everthing happened in shiroyamakan the people, service, food , location, room, passion......Everything! Maybe someone will hesitate to choose here because of the "price" but, I have to tell you, it's totally worth it !!! 台日友好! Love Japan & shiroyamakan!

Pros: Amazing old style ryokan. Hosts are probably the best I have seen in any accomodation anywhere in the world. Very considerate, extremely pleasant to talk too, willing to go out of their way to make you feel at home. Both the dinner and breakfast were amazing. Although not cheap, I would highly recommend to anybody to make an effort and stay here for at least one night.

Cons: The ryokan has an old vibe to it. I did not get bothered by the interiors showing their age (it is part of this place's charm), but if you are expecting a luxurious modern everything shiny new establishment, this is not it.

Pros: Ryokan was an interesting experience. The private dinner was nice.

Cons: Although the hotel advertises in Booking, in English, there was not a single external indicator that that building was a hotel. We were looking at other nearby buildings, fortunately Google Maps showed us the right building, but justa small sign "Fujima" or even "ryokan" would be appreciated. And I want to make clear that for me, once abroad, it is my task to communicate with locals, it is not their obligation to understand me.

Pros: Generally good, Room a bit dark and got some small insect. Otherwise, it is very quiet and the room is big. The private and open onsen is perfect for someone who likes it. The meals included are ok but it can be improved.

Cons: Room a bit dark and the location is quite remote.

Pros: All of the meals were exceptional. Staff were courteous, kind, facilitating, and overwhelmingly respectful of you and the space around you. The experience was tremendous. Indoor and outdoor onsens were hot, clean, and beautiful. 100% traditional Japanese Onsen/ Ryokan.

Cons: Tatami and futon makes for difficult sleeping if you're accustomed to western style beds.

Pros: Everything

Cons: Nothing

Pros: Quiet and comfortable place. Very elegantly decorated. Excellent Onsen!

Pros: Absolutely wonderful stay - the hotel is gorgeous, the room was spacious and elegant, the staff are lovely, the food was incredible, plus with the outdoor onsen you really couldn't make it better. It's a little out of the way so you'll need a car to get there but totally worth the effort!

Pros: Very nice room, great food, excellent private onsens, helpful and extremely nice staff!

Cons: For the price we would expect a shower in the room, but we used the private onsen shower instead (with the included bath, naturally)!

Pros: This was one of the best dining experiences we've ever had! The food was beautifully presented; uniquely and deliciously flavored. We had the best homemade sake! We dined privately and the staff was super attentive and sweet.The public bathing experience is definitely interesting and the Onsen is the cherry on top! Our room was spacious (like having our own apt) and clean. Lastly, sleeping on the tatami mat was quite comfortable!

Cons: We loved everything!

Pros: Nice outdoor private onsen. Nice location to Shirakawago.

Cons: Available hours of reception

Pros: One of the best ryokans I have visited - it is located in a quiet valley only 15 mins by car from Shirakawa-go away. The staff was very friendly and the kaiseki (dinner menu) as well as breakfast was just delicious! You dine privately in a separated room (not your own room) with a fire pit in the middle of the table where some of the dinner courses are grilled or cooked. Your own room which is very comfortable has also a fire pit where you can start a small fire. The onsen is also great - there are indoor and outdoor pools available which are really relaxing especially the outdoor ones which include a nice Japanese garden. For couples there are also private outdoor onsen.

Pros: Breakfast is good, although we would prefer to experience a local/traditional Japanese breakfast style! The location is good and convenient, at the edge of the old village.

Cons: Nothing

Pros: Tomo was a lovely host. The place is very cozy and we felt like at home from the moment we arrived. The room was spacious, clean and free drinks were provided. We slept hearing the nearby river and crickets. We also hung out in the common places (like the hammocks) as pleasant and relaxing.)

Cons: The hotel is not within the proper traditional village but it's easily reachable with a 10 minutes walk (and 5 to the bus station).

Pros: - Location - Pond view from room - Clean and modern bathroom - Historical from outside but cozy inside - Parking next to place - Wonderful and helpful stuff ready to help - Breakfast included despite not expected

Pros: I loved everything. The staff were lovely and helpful. My room was beautiful. I had the upper floor with a river view. You would go to sleep with the sound of the river rushing by, frogs, crickets and the occasional eagle. I should mention that I stayed there early summer. The bed was comfortable and the pillows was the comfiest I have ever had. It is probably a ten minute walk from the hotel to the bus station but it is just beautiful. I would definately stay here again.

Cons: There was nothing I didn't like.

Cons: The Japanese futon mattress is a bit too thin for people who are used to sleeping on western style mattresses. We had to stack two mattresses on top of each other.

Pros: The house is really nice, the common area and kitchen are well equipped, and nicely decorated. The rooms are very clean and offer a great view into the garden with a pond. The staff is fantastic!! We have never met anyone on our travels who has been so helpful and kind! Tomo, thank you for taking such good care of us and our son! We would highly recommend staying there.

Cons: Nothing. Everything was great

Pros: So clean, spacious room, close to Shirakawa-go, and super kind staffs.. I’ll be back!

Pros: The place including room, washroom, kitchen is very clean and comfortable. The staffs are very friendly, especially Sunli! Thank you so much for giving me and my friend a wonderful experience during our stay!

Pros: The hospitality...the environment. The house is just like to be at home. Very nice and kind receptionist (her name is Tomo). She helped us a lot with bus reservation for the next day and the dinner reservation because all is close at 17h...

Pros: Sunil and Kei is very nice and tried their best to help us. Breakfast is simple but is more than what we have at home. Sunil cooked the eggs for us and make it looked nice. As we are old women Kei drove our baggage to the bus station. It was a great help.

Cons: The shelves where put shoes may need to mark the room number to avoid some carelessness guests same as us picked up the others shoes to wear.

Pros: Thanks for sent us to bus stop in early morning.

Pros: The French restaurant was really excellent as being described by other reviews. Was really impressed with the thoughtful french fine dining.

Cons: Location is a bit high up on the mountain but they have shuttle bus to pick us up and return us to Shirakawago

Pros: Eco-friendly as the name suggests.

Cons: Nothing really.

Pros: Dinner was served with French cuisine, which was yummy though we only had the standard course. Room is spacious with a nice view at the east-wing.

Pros: Charming little onsen hotel on a hill(?), just 5 minutes by the free shuttle bus from Shirakawa-go. Rooms were spacious, and well stocked. The rotenburo (open air bath) was particularly large, and depending on what time you go you just might get the entire bath to yourself.

Cons: Breakfast was a little too plain for the more demanding foodies in our group- some extra variety would have been nicer. Also, our rooms did not have showers. Not a complaint, but something for the squeamish ones to watch out for.

Pros: Friendly staff. Good location. Good facilities.

Cons: Dinner could be better.

Pros: French restaurant room, hot spa and facilities view of hotel a small museum next to French restaurant

Cons: None

Cons: The price was higher compared with facilities.

Pros: The staff was very friendly and helpful. The restaurant service and meals (breakfast and dinner) were both fantastic. The onsen and surrounding area of the hotel were very relaxing and quiet. Loved the experience to be inside the Gasso-style farmhouse on site. The staff who showed us the farmhouse was very friendly and put up with the cold to run through the historic architecture. This was free for all guest while staying at the hotel which we are very grateful for.

Cons: The location is a bit far off from Shirakawago village but it's not an issue for us as we're driving.

Cons: Room rate is too higher compared with facilities, location, services etc.

Pros: the guest house is nice, in the outskirts of Shirakawago village. The beds are really comfortable and a parking for guests is available. The host helped us to book a restaurant for dinner (not many options, but at the suggested hotel we had one of the best meals in Japan)

Cons: No breakfast available, you need to go to the supermarket and buy it yourself

Pros: Clean and mostly very silent at night given it is bunks with curtains. Had a weird gurgling sound outside my window (FYI this is a huge plus to have a window) but after having a look it was just the water pump and becomes rhythmic. It is a good 2k walk outside of the heritage village but it is a good place to walk and explore. The river is a photo dream already along with a few other high points. Staff are friendly and was able to check in early. Bedding was comfortable but it is a dorm room so you will be here others.

Pros: Small City very beautifull, Very well equipped, Nice service, and take credit card

Pros: The location is about 10-15 min walk from the bus station. You can take a local bus and get off just a minute from the hostel, but bear in mind that the bus is not very frequent, when I arrived I would have to wait 30 minutes for the next bus so I decided to just walk, it's not far but in the Japanese summer of 32 degrees and carrying a luggage it wasn't great. The staff is very friendly and helpful, they sent me detailed instructions on how to get to the hostel and answered all the question I had before and after check-in. There is a Daily convenience store a few minutes away, where I bought all my food and drinks. I stayed in the shared room, the beds are quite spacious, there isn't a lot of space for big luggage, but I had small luggage so it was fine. The common area is quite comfortable and a good way to meet other travellers. There's also free tea/coffee which was really good. Wifi worked well and was very fast. The showers are quite good, but there are only 2. Also, there are only 2 toilets. It wasn't a problem though as the place was not too busy.

Cons: No hand soap, I don't know why? No laundry facilities. Having at least some coin-operated laundry or laundry service would be very handy.

Pros: Very nice place in the nature, near a stream. The mattress was comfortable. The host was very nice and kind.

Cons: Nothing.

Pros: Big and clean room

Cons: No independent bathroom

Pros: Staff very helpful. Nice comfortable place for a good price.

Cons: I like a softer bed.

Pros: The room had a great relaxing atmosphere and sound ambiente from a small river outside. We had the best sleep of the whole trip at nights. The host was very friendly, we'd stay again.

Pros: Nice place with free car park. It has a kitchen where you can cook your breakfast and free coffee and tea.

Cons: After being in other guest houses in the Gifu area we miss a more personal and warm welcome.

Pros: The owners were extremely nice! They didn’t speak much English but luckily there was a student staying who could translate for us. They even gave us a free ride to the bus station in the morning.

Cons: The location with respect to the bus stop and town is inconvenient. About a mile away. The place was made out of wood so if anybody moved around, everything would creek. The bathroom was somewhat outdated. You can hear everything! The room was also very hot.

Pros: The owner was amazing! She offered (out of the blue) to give us a ride to see fireflies and night views of Shirakawa-Go. She also provided us complimentary cucumbers from her garden (when she heard we hadn't had cucumbers in the style she mentioned). And the next morning, her friend gave us a ride to his Silk Culture museum and really taught us a lot about the history of Shirakawa-Go!

Pros: The owner is a cute 72 year old lady. She is very heart warming and will welcome you in her nice little guesthouse. Would go there again anytime. Felt home.

Pros: Very good price and the lady is really nice!

Pros: The best thing of Ant Hut is the atmosphere there. It’s a wonderful place to meet new people and make friends! What’s more, I like the bed there very much. It’s super romantic!

Cons: It would be better if men and women could live in separate rooms.

Pros: We absolutely loved the staff! Despite the language barrier (lady that serviced us spoke very little English, if at all), we were able to communicate with her and she charmed us with her hospitality, enthusiasm and resolve. She even treated us to a dango! The rooms were extremely cosy despite the fact they were shared - beds were huge, had their own electric sockets, lights and a lot of space to store luggage. Showers and toilets were sparkling clean, new and comfortable to use.

Cons: Despite the staff's great social skills, I understand that not everyone speaks basic Japanese - make sure you have a working translator app if you want to chat with them.

Pros: The host and her husband picked us up from the bus stop to the hostel. They are very lovely and awesome and the place is very close to the bus station. I would highly recommend anyone to stay at this place as it’s nice and cosy.

Cons: Pillow was too soft for me and my partner.

Cons: I very like the service and the aunty very kindness.

Pros: The owner is an old and super nice woman. We came here for the Higurashi animation, and she introduced a local who is fascinated by this anime. He drove us around the village, introducing many scenes in the anime. The night was excellent: you can only hear frogs, and see the stars. Only living in the village can allow you to walk around the village in the morning ~6am without too many visitors bothering.

Cons: The location is 10 min walk from the village. There are only few restaurants opening in the night, so it is better to prepare some food for the dinner and the next day's breakfast in advance. No supermarket during weekend, only convenient store.

Pros: Super friendly host, the grandma although she's not well versed in English. It's the cheapest accommodation you can get in Shirakawago. Convenience store nearby.

Cons: All good.

Pros: Near the bus station. The onsen was good. Clean and nice. The dinner and breakfast was great too.

Cons: Share bath & toilet. Guess property too small for private bathroom. Also, for people who is not comfortable to go Onsen, there is no alternative bathing room to accommodate them. This is not very considerate.

Pros: The location. The onsen. The breakfast.

Cons: The pillows full of ? Small balls. Very uncomfortable. The shared bathroom

Pros: Our room is big enough with private bath, river view is very nice. Breakfast is delicious.

Pros: Feels traditional and authentic. Floor was very clean. Onsen is cosy and felt so good in the cold weather. Food and service was ok. Location was so fantastic, only footsteps away from bus drop off!

Cons: Onsen looks like it can be cleaned up better.

Pros: Onsen

Cons: No toilet inside the room.

Pros: The onsen

Cons: Nothing

Cons: the amotsphere of small double single bed room is not circulating and very packed. this cause us feel dizzy and headache. i recommended to stay in the room have tatami as the room size is more wide.

Pros: The location was very peaceful, but not much to do after 17.00

Pros: Decent size room for Japanese standards. Right next to the bus station. Friendly and helpful staff who did their best to understand you even though they didn't speak much English.

Cons: We stayed in the Western style room, which had very uncomfortable beds. Shared bathroom area wasn't great and didn't feel very clean. Onsen was ok, nothing special, and people who don't stay at the hotel can use it as well so that wasn't a huge bonus.

Pros: Great welcome even though not much English spoken. Arranged dinner at late notice as there was nowhere else to eat in the settlement (March). Dinner was ample and a good price. Smart appearance to building inside with some great quirky decorations. Had western beds (as we had been in another Ryokan the night before) but they were a bit firm. Room just big enough to cope with two large suitcases. Free parking and they have a water jet system to keep ramp entrance and parking area free of snow and ice. They even put the windscreen wipers on the car up because snow was forecast overnight. All staff very friendly and willing to help, owner even carried a large suitcase up to the room on arrival and back down again at departure. Local area map available in English and money off vouchers for the museum. Short distance from Gassho houses. A great onsen that is free to guests within the building.

Cons: Breakfast was very disappointing, Japanese style but with a fish that was all bones and no meat. Beds a little hard, and the people in the next room woke us up at 6 am (walls are typically thin). No English channels on TV. Large suitcases only just fitted in the room.

Cons: Rooms were a little bit old and staff is not always readily available.

Pros: Close to main bus terminal Close to convenient store Friendly staff who can explain room service in English

Cons: It was pretty cold and air conditioning was not enough

Pros: it's a cozy homestay to experience the old house in Shirakawa-go with tatami bedroom. Good view from bedroom to see the snow. Only 2 couple staying during our stay so it's not pack.

Cons: IT's shared living room and toilet, hence it's not convenient during the winter season. Freezing. The water heater was not working at night. Location is about 5-7 min walk from bus station. So it's a bit far to walk with luggages on the road with snow. Plan your trip with handcarry luggage and keep other luggage in storage place next to bus station.

Pros: The staff was really nice and worried about us all the time. The place is close to the bus station and onsen. Bathroom was clean, and rooms were separated from others.

Cons: We had a problem with an infestation of bugs in our bed. If it was one or two.. but it was 30, 40. We cleaned all from windows, and there was more in the bed/futon, pillows. We could not stand.

Pros: Location from shirakawa village is just 10 minutes away.

Pros: price reasonable

Cons: They always chase my check in time and say if not check in by certain time they will cancel my booking. I am stressed on this. I didn’t know the deadline for check in time when I booked it

Pros: Everything else was fine!

Cons: For winter guests : there's a heater in the room but the rest of the house (all the way to the bathroom) is pretty much freezing

Pros: The staff were friendly and gave clear instructions. Quiet rural atmosphere. Enjoy staying at our own home. Old building with a modern toilet. We would stay there again since we forgot to take a picture in front of the inn :))

Cons: There was no restaurant open at night. It took about 15 minutes to walk to the bus station, even though the bus would pass through this inn but couldn't stop. It was difficult to carry lots of luggage.

Pros: The property is located a stone’s throw away from the gassho zukuri thatch roof homes and is styled as a ryokan. The staff was very courteous and provided a thorough walkthrough of the property. I enjoyed the scenic views from the hotel.

Cons: This property does not provide meal service although there appears to be a restaurant conjoined to the location that is undergoing renovations. It was a bit pricey for a ryokan without meal service or a hot bath but I think they might make up for that when the renovations are complete.

Pros: Staff is very nice comfortable room

Cons: There are a bug in the room but its ok