Mutsumikan
8/10 Excellent - Based on 338 reviews
Mutsumikan is a family-run ryokan in Gero Onsen, Gifu Prefecture, operating since 1912 and now in its fourth generation. The property offers 19 traditional Japanese-style rooms with tatami flooring, wide windows and restrained furnishings; guests may wear supplied yukata and relax at low tables. Public indoor and outdoor hot spring baths are supplied from the local alkaline simple hot springs noted for a moisturizing "beauty" effect (pH ≈ 9.18), and several room types include a private hot spring bath. The atmosphere is compact and personal, with multilingual staff and complimentary Wi‑Fi in the lobby.
Bath facilities include gender-separated large baths and a covered outdoor rotenburo that is open into the morning; onsen water is also used in the washing areas and is described as beneficial for muscle and joint relief. Some superior and deluxe rooms list private onsen-equipped bathrooms for guests who prefer exclusive use. The layout and modest scale make Mutsumikan a practical choice for travellers seeking a ryokan with onsen in Gero, and the inn sits within an easy walk of the station; parking is available for guests arriving by car.
Dining focuses on seasonal Hida cuisine presented as multi-course meals using local produce and branded meats such as Hida beef, while breakfasts feature traditional hooba miso and hot spring‑boiled eggs. Dinner is typically served in the dining room but can be arranged in-room for solo travellers; special requests may be accommodated at booking. Check-in generally begins mid‑afternoon with check-out by late morning, and the ryokan’s central position in the town makes it a convenient ryokan with onsen in Gifu for exploring riverside streets and nearby regional sights.
Highlights of this ryokan
Detailed Ratings
Points of interest nearby
Review summary for: Mutsumikan
Positive Reviews
Relaxing, high-quality onsen experience
Many guests praised the onsen — very hot, soft water with pleasant indoor and outdoor baths. Several described it as relaxing, wonderful or ‘magical’, and recommended the outdoor bath in particular.
Attentive, friendly staff and service
Numerous reviews highlighted polite, caring staff and excellent service, especially during kaiseki dinner and breakfast; guests felt well looked after and welcomed.
Excellent traditional meals (kaiseki)
Food was frequently described as delicious, generous and a highlight of the stay — kaiseki dinners and breakfasts received particular praise and ‘superb’ comments.
Convenient, scenic location
The ryokan is close to the train station and within easy walking distance of town attractions, river and parks. Guests appreciated the riverside/mountain setting and found it easy to explore Gero Onsen.
Clean, spacious and authentic rooms with useful amenities
Rooms were noted as clean, spacious and traditionally styled (tatami); guests liked available yukata, parking next to the entrance, and that tattoo-friendly policies were respected.
Negative Reviews
Rigid schedules and rules around meals
Several guests reported fixed meal times and strict routines (expected arrival times for dinner) that felt inflexible and reduced the ability to relax for some visitors.
Onsen limitations and upkeep issues
Some guests found the onsen small, the indoor baths stuffy or older than the rooms, and noted a need for updates. A few mentioned practical issues such as no towels provided in the onsen area.
Noise and proximity to station/road
Being very close to the train station and a road led to noise complaints from light sleepers; multiple reviewers suggested the location can be noisy at times.
Room/bed comfort and preparation problems
Problems reported included hard pillows with no softer option, futons laid out early making rooms awkward to move in, and a missing or low-quality third bed when arriving.
Communication, smells and minor conveniences
A few guests experienced limited English from staff and described staff as sometimes too direct. Others noted strong chemical air fresheners in places, occasional disappointment that meals were unremarkable for the price or seafood-heavy for some tastes, and small missing conveniences (e.g., no milk available after the onsen).
Frequently Asked Questions
Room types include single, twin and Japanese-style rooms; some rooms sleep up to four guests using futons. Cribs and extra beds are not available, and family rooms are offered for groups.
Mutsumikan offers gender-separated large communal baths and a public open-air bath, and several guest rooms include private hot spring baths. Public baths are available from check-in until 9:00 on the day of check-out.
Private onsen are available only in specific room types that include an in-room hot spring bath; there is no general shared-bath reservation system. Request a room with a private bath when booking or contact the ryokan in advance.
There is no regular airport shuttle; the ryokan is a two-minute walk from JR Gero Station. The property can reserve one-way or round-trip direct bus tickets between Nagoya and Gero by telephone if needed.
Staff can assist in Japanese, English and Hindi.
The ryokan serves traditional multi-course dinners (often featuring local Hida beef) and Japanese-style breakfasts for guests who choose meal plans. Inform the ryokan of allergies or dietary requirements at booking so they can prepare alternatives.
Standard check-in begins at 15:00 and check-out is by 10:00. Guests must check in by 18:00 to be served dinner, so notify the ryokan if you expect to arrive later than the stated check-in window.
Pets are not permitted on the property. Shared bathing areas and public facilities are communal; guests with tattoos are not permitted to use shared baths, and private use is limited to rooms with in-room baths.
Mutsumikan sits in Gero Onsen town center within minutes' walk of local shops and festival sites; nearby highlights include the evening market, Gero Onsen Matsuri, Zensho-ji Temple, Gandate Gorge and Hida-Osaka waterfalls. Many local sights are reachable on foot or by short bus/car rides.
A convenience store is about a one-minute walk from the ryokan and the town centre is very walkable. Local buses (Nohi Bus) and the nearby JR station provide connections to regional attractions.