Gero Onsen Yamagataya

We stayed in the Daiguanzhuang room type. The view outside the window was serene and picturesque in the misty rain, creating a very tranquil atmosphere. The front desk staff member who spoke Chinese was refined and polite. The hotel also offers a free shuttle service to Gero Station during specified hours, and in the evening, it's a lovely walk down the Onsen Street to enjoy the night views.

Traveling with kids 😤 for the first summer trip of 2026 🌞! Due to an unexpected 6.9 magnitude earthquake in Northern Japan 😅, our plans changed last minute, and we rerouted west, embracing a more spontaneous journey. From Tokyo 🚆 to Nagoya 🚃, then Gero Onsen ♨️, a total of 488 km. After arriving, I instantly fell in love with the place 🤔, so we decided to stay for 2 nights. Upon arrival at the station, various onsen hotels 🏨 have shuttle buses 🚌. Even if you miss one, it's not a problem. Taking a taxi to the hotel 🚕, the driver said the hotel would cover the fare, and I wasn't charged 💰. I found this incredibly thoughtful and guest-friendly. During check-in, there was a Chinese lady at the front desk 👩🏻 who was very friendly! So there were no communication barriers ✨, and she recommended routes and attractions. Then, a dedicated staff member escorted us to our room, explaining all the important details. We truly felt at home. We booked a Japanese-style room 🇯🇵, which is priced per person. The room included dinner 🐮, and the Hida beef was absolutely delicious 😋 – highly recommended! Breakfast 🍳 was also excellent 😋, with a wide variety of choices, and we could pick our preferred time slot.

Saw the shuttle sign right outside Gero Station and got to the hotel smoothly. The service throughout our stay was excellent, and there was even a Chinese-speaking staff member who guided us and introduced everything, which made us feel very comfortable checking in. The room was quite spacious, and we enjoyed the tatami experience. The sukiyaki beef for dinner was delicious.

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 has a long history but was recently renovated, so the facilities felt very new. The beef kaiseki dinner was excellent; I even ordered an extra portion of beef. You can walk up the slope outside to explore the onsen town!