Kisoya
7,8/10 Very good - Based on 224 reviews
Kisoya is a traditional ryokan in the Gero onsen district that presents a straightforward, authentic experience rooted in Japanese-style rooms and common spaces. The property keeps a compact scale with about 26 guest rooms, several room types laid out in tatami, and a small number of suites that include their own open-air baths, allowing it to function as a ryokan with private onsen for guests seeking added privacy. Interiors favour classic fittings — low tables, futon sleeping arrangements and a restrained palette that emphasises calm and local craftwork.
The bathing facilities are a defining feature: a public indoor bath with tatami-covered wash areas and a rooftop open-air bath that looks out over the surrounding hills. The onsen water is sourced from Gero’s alkaline simple springs, and the property operates both communal bathing and room-type open-air baths, with public bathing hours that accommodate overnight guests. Facilities typically provided include in-room kaiseki-style dinners served quietly in guests’ rooms, basic room amenities (air conditioning, small fridge, TV and bidet toilets), parking and provision of yukata; services also note family-friendly options such as baby-baths and support for guests with reduced mobility.
Located within easy walking distance of the town’s hot-spring street and a short ride from the station, Kisoya makes a practical base for regional day trips to places like Shirakawa-go and Hida-Takayama. The ryokan’s scale and the choice of private open-air-bath rooms make it suitable for couples, multigenerational families and small groups who want a quiet, practical stay focused on bathing and regional exploration. For travellers prioritising a straightforward ryokan with onsen experience in Gifu, it offers a clear, traditionally minded option.
Highlights of this ryokan
Detailed Ratings
Points of interest nearby
Review summary for: Kisoya
Positive Reviews
Excellent meals (dinner and breakfast)
Multiple guests praised the kaiseki-style dinners and Japanese breakfasts — fresh local ingredients, grilled Hida beef and fish, sashimi and thoughtful presentations. Many described the meals as superb and a highlight of their stay.
Great onsen experience (rooftop/public and private options)
Guests loved the public rooftop onsen and outdoor pools — spacious, rarely crowded, fragrant floral features in the afternoon/evening and pleasant amenities (massage chairs). Some rooms also offer private open-air baths, which several guests enjoyed.
Friendly, helpful staff and good service
Staff were repeatedly described as warm, polite and accommodating: restaurant staff who explained dishes, drivers and shuttle staff who assisted with station transfers, and front-desk personnel who went out of their way to help guests.
Clean, comfortable tatami rooms with useful amenities
Many reviews noted clean, cozy Japanese-style rooms with tatami, futon, fridge, hot-water flask, yukata selection and quality toiletries (some specifically mentioned the Tabibijin brand). Rooms were often described as spacious and well equipped.
Convenient location and good value
Several guests found the inn centrally located (around a 10-minute walk from the station, next to a Family Mart) and commented that the stay offered good value for money, especially when enjoying the food and onsen.
Negative Reviews
Smoking smell and lack of non-smoking rooms
Multiple guests encountered rooms with strong stale cigarette odour; at least one guest reported being given a heavy-smoker room and having to request a change. Non-smoking room availability/clarity appears inconsistent.
Inconsistent / dated rooms and need for upgrades
Some reviewers found parts of the hotel dated or in need of renovation; reports include cramped or small rooms, mixed/decor-heavy reception area, and at least one comment that the property overall could use an upgrade.
Communication and language issues
A number of guests reported minimal English from front-desk staff and some unresponsiveness to messages (for example about shuttle pickups). Translating with apps was necessary in some cases.
Room comfort and facility problems (noise, bedding, water pressure)
Complaints included noise (kitchen activity early morning near certain rooms), hard or uncomfortable tatami mattress setups with limited pillows, and low water pressure in bathrooms causing longer showers.
Private bath concerns (size and temperature control)
At least one guest noted a small private open-air tub that was only lukewarm on arrival and required staff intervention to raise temperature; the guest also mentioned the water being boiled rather than natural spring water for that tub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Rooms suit couples, families and small groups; children of all ages are welcome but those aged 3 and older are treated as adults on booking, and extra beds or cots are not available.
Kisoya provides indoor communal baths with tatami floors and an open-air bath fed by Gero Onsen, with bathing hours generally from 14:00 until 10:00 the next morning.
Some rooms include private open-air/on-site baths for exclusive use, and private-family bathing options are also available; guests with tattoos are advised to use private baths.
There is no regular airport shuttle listed; the ryokan is a short walk from Gero Station (about 10–15 minutes), and taxis or local buses are the usual options—contact the property in advance if you need arrival assistance.
The closest major airport is Chubu Centrair (Nagoya), roughly 80–90 km away; standard public-transit routes involve trains and/or buses to JR Gero Station followed by a short walk or taxi, with total transfer time typically around 2–3 hours depending on connections.
Japanese is the primary language; English support may be limited, so notify the ryokan in advance if you require English assistance or special arrangements.
Kaiseki-style seasonal dinners are served in your room while breakfast is provided in the dining area; dishes commonly feature local ingredients such as Hida beef and regional produce.
Standard check-in is from 14:00 (guests are usually asked to arrive by around 19:30) and check-out is by 10:00; please inform the ryokan of your expected arrival time when booking.
Pets are not permitted at Kisoya; the property is family-friendly with amenities such as baby baths, tatami floors and yukata choices for female guests.
Kisoya sits in central Gero Onsen with several public footbaths and the hot-spring street within walking distance, and it is a practical base for day trips to Shirakawa-go and Hida-Takayama using regional bus or train services.