Guesthouse Ant Hut

The hosts, a woman and her husband, were warm and genuinely welcoming. But the house and its interiors are a bit run-down, and the guesthouse is a little way from the bus terminal. Walking there is fine if you’re not hauling heavy bags. There’s a shuttle, though it only runs at 3:30 PM and 8:30 AM. My biggest concern is that I wouldn’t suggest this place for a group smaller than 4-5 people. There are two rooms, and the main room doors don’t lock, which could feel concerning at night. If you’re planning a night in Shirakawa-go, I’d look at other places.

The place was clean, well run, and had a nice view of the mountains. It’s about 2 km from Shirakawa-go’s famous old wooden houses, with a convenience store and gas stations nearby. There’s a hot-water bath, a shared area for eating or chatting, and bunk beds. You can use the kitchen utensils to make your own food, and rent a bicycle for 500 yen. I checked in during a rainy July. A woman greeted us with tea and a smile, and the staff were friendly and helpful.

It’s about a 20-minute walk from the bus station, but the host made the stay special. The older woman was so kind, sharing lots of tips, fruit from her farm, and a cup of green tea. She’s especially happy when foreign guests can speak a little Japanese. This was the only place on our trip where we really got to interact with the people running the house, since everywhere else had self check-in. Best!

The hostel is small, but Arihara san was a wonderful host and the service was top notch. It’s about a 20-minute walk from the main village, which was a tough trek in winter, though I enjoyed this quieter side of town. I’d definitely stay here again if I visit Shirakawa Go in winter.