Gero Onsen Yamagataya

Facilities: The hotel is a bit old but has been renovated. The separate wet and dry areas in the room are great. Hygiene: Very clean. The large public bath could use some refurbishment though. Environment: Overall very good, you can see the river. Service: Excellent, they even offer free shuttle service to the station, which is a very thoughtful touch. The best part was booking a package that included breakfast and dinner for two – it was amazing, like a kaiseki meal, and offered great value for money.

This is a quintessential traditional Japanese onsen ryokan. The hot springs leave your skin smooth and your muscles relaxed, the beef is delicious, the facilities are spotless, and the service is incredibly thoughtful and attentive (even though most of the younger staff are Burmese, they're exceptionally well-trained and just as good as Japanese staff). I especially recommend the private onsen – soaking in the hot spring while watching trains pass in the distance is like something out of an anime! Plus, the massage therapist grandpa here is skilled and reasonably priced; just make sure to book early. A post-bath pressure massage from him will melt away all the day's fatigue. This ryokan is within walking distance of all the attractions. If you arrive outside of shuttle hours, you can use a designated taxi from the station for free. I'd love to visit again during autumn leaf season.

They offer free taxi and bus shuttle services from JR Station. The check-in process was smooth and thorough, with all necessary information provided. The hot springs were clean and well-equipped. Breakfast was plentiful, and the special pudding was delicious! Overall, a great stay.

Brought my mom here to enjoy the 'beauty bath' hot spring. Breakfast was pretty mediocre, but dinner was good, and we got to try Hida beef. Our corner room had a huge window with a great river view. The bed was also a good height, making it easy for seniors to get in and out.