5-Star Hotels in Gifu Prefecture, Japan

Everything was great, good location, excellent value for money. It's located across from the river where Ukai (cormorant fishing) takes place, about a 15-minute walk from the boarding point. The breakfast was delicious.

Great room! We booked the quadruple room and it fits all of us 4 adults and 2 children. Great onsen experience! They provide complete amenities such as different kind of shampoos, hairband, kose brand skincare, refa hairdryer, and many more. Good japanese style dinner and breakfast! The pork during dinner was so tender, really loved it. All day food is available here such as ramen at 10pm, yakult, and many more!

We chose Hirayu Onsen as a stopover, since we were visiting Shinhotaka one day and Kamikochi the next. Hirayukan is conveniently located just a three to five-minute walk from the Hirayu bus terminal. The room wasn't huge, but the hot spring baths were truly wonderful, with both indoor and outdoor options. The dinner and breakfast included in the stay were quite substantial. We also happened to catch a performance in the evening, which was a nice bonus.

The hotel, having hosted the Japanese Imperial Family, certainly lived up to expectations. Its design reflects an eco-friendly approach, and the staff are incredibly kind. The hotel's expansive souvenir shop is so well-stocked that even half an hour might not be enough to browse through it all. The hot springs also won me over; there are two large public baths, one on the first floor and one on the basement level. The basement one was particularly clean and featured an outdoor bath, which was incredibly relaxing. After a soak, grabbing an ice cream cone and milk from the shop right outside the first-floor bath was simply perfect!

A very big ryokan with many different baths, private and public. The western style room we chose was spacious and comfortable. The outdoor is great for pictures taking. The dining room although not private gives option of dining with a window view or otherwise. My hubby left his wallet behind but the honest staff ran after him to return! A Big Thank You & kudos to honest staff 🙏❤️.

Many other reviews have already covered the good points: the drum-beating welcome at check-in offers a wonderful sense of ceremony, and they even helped me carry my luggage to the bus stop steps when I left. There are so many instances of truly authentic Japanese service that I struggled with my rating, honestly giving them a higher score than I initially intended (this sentence is a bit awkward). Now for the things I wasn't happy with: 1. One of the main reasons I booked this place was for the natural hot springs, but the bathing area lacked privacy compared to Dormy Inn hotels. It felt more like a family guesthouse I've stayed in, where the bathing and showering areas are all open and visible. 2. On two separate evenings, I encountered staff cleaning the public bath. I've stayed at various hot spring hotels, big and small, and usually, this kind of work is done when there are no guests around, right? The next day, I even saw an employee using the small towels provided for guests to wipe down the sinks... I was speechless. Even if it's standard practice, they should at least do it discreetly, away from guests! 3. This is the most frustrating point: At check-in, I had already indicated that I didn't need room cleaning or entry into my room. Yet, on the second evening, they knocked on the door and, without waiting for me to open it, directly unlocked my room with a key. I had already explained that the futon was set up yesterday and wasn't needed today, but they still rushed into the room to check... The environment, location, front desk staff, and driver were all excellent. I just hope the hotel's overall management can improve.

November 25, 2025 This was the most expensive and luxurious hotel I've ever stayed at. I was assigned to a 'Jing Suite' in the 'Kou Chu Jing' series. Although these suites aren't as newly renovated as the 'Heki Suites,' they come with a jacuzzi! I didn't even bother with the hotel's onsen because of it. My first jacuzzi experience was absolutely amazing. You pull down the blinds, lie back, and watch the small TV in the opposite bathroom, while powerful jets massage your feet. The toiletries were all Sekkisei or POLA (for use in the hotel only, not to be taken). All the drinks in the mini-fridge were complimentary and could be taken with you. Plus, there was a capsule coffee machine in the room with four free capsule coffee flavors. The view from the living room was fantastic. The toilet and bathroom were two separate rooms; the bathroom was closer to the bedroom, while the toilet was next to the living room outside. It had a motion-sensing light, so if you sat there for too long, you'd have to move or the light would turn off by itself 🤣. I called the hotel three days in advance to pay for an upgrade to the highest-tier 'All Hida Beef Dinner.' All the ingredients were Hida beef, and the menu even listed the cow's name and origin. You could also order à la carte from the hotel's partner sushi restaurant; I added sashimi and vinegar crab, and I was absolutely stuffed. Since I contacted them in advance, they provided a complimentary shuttle service to and from Takayama Station. Upon arrival at 12:30 PM, it was a mini-bus, and the driver (a kind older gentleman) was easy to spot, holding a whiteboard with my name written on it. For departure at around 2:00 PM, it was a fancy black sedan, which looked super luxurious. The Nepalese staff member, dressed in a kimono, escorted me to the room and explained everything in detail. The restaurant also had private rooms. For breakfast, you could choose between Japanese or Western. After much deliberation, I opted for the safe and popular Western breakfast because some of the ingredients in the Japanese breakfast were a bit too healthy and exotic for my taste. The most memorable item was the hotel's dashi-rolled omelet, which was incredibly delicious. Milk, orange juice, and tea were all free and unlimited during breakfast. It truly showed that you get what you pay for!

The hotel is beautifully situated by the river. It was snowing heavily when we checked in, and from our room window, we enjoyed beautiful views of the snow-covered town and the temple rooftops across the river. Every staff member was incredibly polite, and the hot springs, with both indoor and outdoor options, were very relaxing. Each guest party dines in a private room, offering serene views of a charming courtyard. Overall, it was a very satisfying stay.

Wonderful, relaxing place with such nice staff and great breakfast! It was my first night in Japan and I couldn’t have chosen a better stay. Ideal to wind down after long travels or just anytime. My only regret is that I didn’t book two nights instead of one.

Amazing service and glamping experience. Highligh recommended. Peaceful and relaxing. Dinner table is set and entrees prepared fresh, main course is cooked ourselves on the prepared BBQ!