Gero Onsen Tsurutsuru no Yu Minorisou

We had a lovely stay, and the staff were really friendly. They spoke a little English, so communication wasn’t a worry. Our room had a view of Gero Onsen, though it didn’t have its own bath or toilet, so we used the public onsen. The hotel feels old, but it was clean and comfortable. Dinner was a standout: a traditional Irori barbecue, much better than a standard Japanese barbecue. We chose the set with chicken, pork, and beef rather than the pricier wagyu option, and it was just right.

The food was fine, and the view over Gero was lovely. There are two onsen rooms, on the third and fifth floors. The rinsing water at the fifth-floor bath is natural hot spring water, as is the water in the tub. The hotel is fairly close to the JR station, though walking there involves a steep road.

The room had a nice view, and the onsen made for a relaxing, refreshing stay. The bath on the fifth floor was a little too hot and rather small, but I still enjoyed it.

I’m planning to book another stay before the year is out. The Gero Onsen night view was lovely to admire from the footbath, and the inn itself was wonderful. I hadn’t expected much from the food because the accommodation was inexpensive, but the Hida beef sukiyaki was genuinely delicious, as were the many other dishes. The water feels so smooth, almost slippery, and it’s the kind of hot spring I wanted to keep soaking in.