Kayabuki

The owners are really kind and helpful, and the house feels clean and welcoming. The food was delicious too. It’s a bit away from the main city, but if you’re used to walking, it’s definitely doable, and you can enjoy the scenery along the way.

Okay.

One thing to plan for is the cold. This is an old building with poor insulation, and the hallways and changing rooms can get chilly, so bring thick socks and warm clothes. There aren’t many streetlights, and snow can make the inn hard to spot, so try to arrive before dark. The nearest convenience store is about a 10-minute drive away. I visited in winter, and experiencing the harshness of a snowy region firsthand was memorable. The gassho-style inn has a real sense of history and is a nice choice for a quiet stay. The local meals were excellent, with wild vegetables and river fish prepared to bring out their natural flavors. We also used the cypress family bath, which was clean and well maintained. I’d stay here again.

The rooms are practically empty, and there’s a convenience store about a five-minute drive away. We visited in November, but my daughters kept saying they were cold! (laughs) The inn is a great pick if you want a truly unusual stay in Shirakawa-go. It’s about a three-minute drive from the World Heritage Gassho-zukuri village and offers a taste of traditional Japanese life. The historic Gassho-zukuri building is around 150-200 years old. Its thick beams and irori are still there, giving the place a lovely fairytale feel. Meals are another highlight, with local Shirakawa-go food like Hida beef, river fish, and wild vegetables, served in a space with an irori.