Hotel Kikori
8,5/10 Excellent - Based on 89 reviews
Set against orchard-fringed hills near Hida, this country-style property blends modern comforts with traditional Japanese touches. Rooms range from Western twin layouts to tatami Japanese-style rooms with futons, flat-screen TVs, kettles and small refrigerators; many face the surrounding mountains and garden. Public areas include a small souvenir shop, a restaurant serving set Japanese meals, and a reception desk that handles luggage storage and a shuttle service to the nearest station. Practical amenities noted by past guests include complimentary parking and onsite Wi‑Fi, making it a convenient base for regional sightseeing.
Bathing facilities are a defining feature: the property operates onsen-fed baths with both indoor and open-air options, fed from a local alkaline spring and presented for communal use. The hotel offers a sit-down Japanese-style dinner with local seasonal produce and Hida beef, and a traditional Japanese breakfast menu; dinner is served to coincide with check-in requirements for guests on half‑board plans. The setting provides straightforward access to nearby attractions—historic town centers, mountain trails and a well-known UNESCO village—so visitors often combine relaxation in the baths with day trips in the area.
Practical arrangements are oriented toward travelers who value quiet and a regional dining experience: the property runs a scheduled shuttle to the local rail station, enforces standard public-bath etiquette, and supports activities such as fishing, fruit picking and winter sports in nearby areas. With family rooms and a mix of Western and Japanese accommodation, the place functions as a ryokan with onsen in Hida and as a ryokan with onsen in Gifu Prefecture for guests seeking a measured balance of local hospitality, hot-spring bathing and access to the wider region.
Highlights of this ryokan
Detailed Ratings
Points of interest nearby
Review summary for: Hotel Kikori
Positive Reviews
Authentic Japanese meals and dining experience
Multiple guests praised the traditional Japanese dinner and breakfast (kaiseki, Hida beef), describing the food as delicious and a highlight of the stay.
Relaxing onsen and bath facilities
Visitors appreciated the hot-spring baths — clean, soothing onsen with both indoor and outdoor options and easy access from some rooms.
Attentive, helpful staff
Staff were frequently described as kind, patient and helpful (including shuttle/transport assistance), contributing to a pleasant, well‑cared‑for stay.
Quiet, peaceful location with good views
Many guests valued the tranquil, out‑of‑the‑way setting, scenic mountain views and a calming atmosphere ideal for relaxation.
Clean, comfortable rooms and good value for half‑board
Several reviewers mentioned clean, spacious rooms (tatami rooms noted) and reasonable rates for half‑board bookings, with some describing the property as modernly renovated in places.
Negative Reviews
Remote location and transport inconvenience
The hotel is often described as far from town, making it inconvenient without a car; guests noted limited nearby shops and expensive taxi rides to the nearest town.
Breakfast lacks Western options
Multiple reviewers noted breakfast is primarily Japanese (fish and traditional items) with little or no Western choice, which may be difficult for some international guests.
Inflexible meal booking and dining policies
Some guests were unable to get meals if they had not prebooked or were refused dinner after arrival; others reported difficulty cancelling preordered meals and billing disputes.
Facilities aging and occasional cleanliness issues
A number of guests commented that parts of the property feel dated and in need of renovation; a few raised concerns about onsen or room cleanliness and maintenance problems.
Limited accessibility and schedule constraints
Issues mentioned include early shuttle timings relative to checkout, limited shuttle frequency, little English spoken by staff in some cases, and no elevator which may affect guests with reduced mobility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Rooms include twin and triple beds and a Japanese-style room with up to four futons; family rooms are available but no extra beds or baby cots are provided.
Yes, the property offers large indoor and outdoor hot spring baths on site; note that guests with visible tattoos may be refused access to public baths.
Yes, the hotel runs a shuttle to/from JR Hida‑Furukawa Station but it requires advance reservation; scheduled times are from the station at about 16:30 (arrive ~16:45) and from the hotel at 08:50 (arrive ~09:05).
The nearest major airport is Chubu Centrair (NGO), roughly 2.5–3 hours by car; an alternative is to take trains to Hida‑Furukawa Station and use the hotel shuttle or a taxi for the final leg.
Staff provide basic English service and reception can assist in English, though Japanese is the primary language at the ryokan.
The on-site restaurant serves Japanese-style meals, including multi-course kaiseki with Hida beef and seasonal ingredients; dinner service requires reservation and dinner is served in the evening (guests must start dinner between about 18:00 and 20:00).
Nearby highlights include Hida‑Furukawa (about 15–20 minutes by car), Takayama (around 30 minutes), and the UNESCO village Shirakawa‑go (about 1 hour 10 minutes by car).
The hotel offers free on-site parking for guests, a shuttle to Hida‑Furukawa Station by reservation, and local travel is typically by car, train to the nearby station, taxis or regional buses.
Standard check-in begins at 15:00 and runs until about 21:00; check-out is by 10:00 (earliest hotel check-out windows noted from 07:00). Guests arriving after 19:00 should inform the property in advance.
Private onsen reservations are not listed among standard amenities so contact the hotel if you need a private bath; pets are not allowed on the property and there are no restaurants or major shops within easy walking distance, with the nearest town a short drive away.