Gero Onsen Yukyunohana — Local services in Gero

Yukyunohana checks all the boxes for a good hotel in a beautiful onsen town. It is the sister ryokan to Fugaku which is just next door. In fact, you check-in and out at Fugaku but Yukyunohana is the newer building and it definitely shows.||The standout feature of the hotel has to be the staff. They were friendly, attentive, and speaks English well. From the moment I booked the hotel, I received an outreach explaining the features of the hotel and asking for my arrival time and other details. Once my travel plans firmed up, I informed them and they arranged a pick up at the train station which was very reassuring. While it is possible to walk to Yukyunohana, it would take more than 15 min especially with luggage. On the day we departed, they also arrange a drop off at the train station.||Check-in was fast as they walked us through the features of the hotels and asked us for our preference of dining times. Our luggage was taken to our room for us (also cleaned) and then we were given a tour of the ryokan including showing us our private dining room. ||I have stayed at enough ryokans throughout Japan to say that Yukyunohana's room is pretty typical. We did book the rooms with the western beds which is a standout feature! Having slept on futons in previous ryokans, I do appreciate having a regular bed. Comfort trumps tradition! The room is large and has a nice sitting area and a balcony with almost a view of the river. the only disappointment is that the tub is pretty small and really only for 1 person. ||Getting full-board at a ryokan in an onsen town is definitely a must. The breakfast and dinner were delicious and varied. On both days we were there, it was a lot of food and they did not repeat the same food! You won't be leaving hungry. Our server was a wonderful Nepali who spoke English well and could described each item. Given that we were in Hida prefecture, we had Hida beef on both nights and it was definitely the highlight of the meals.||There weren't any private onsens but they had two community onsens that alternate between male and female guests. The one on the roof is outdoor and has an incredible view of the surrounding mountains in the morning. However, it is quite small and probably only 3 people can be in it. Go early (6 am) and you will probably have it to yourself which makes it amazing. The other onsen is very large with a big pool but is all indoor. It is much more basic but still as comfortable.||Gero is not very big and everything is within 15 min walking distance. The main part of town is less than 10 min. The furthest places like Gassho Village and the train station is further. Yukyunohana is located slightly away from the main street but is still very convenient to go around town.||Yukyunohana is a great place to park yourself for a day or two to enjoy the wonderful hot springs! The food and staff makes it an...

As we were driving slowly along the road looking for the hotel name, a gentlemen waved stepped out to greet us. He showed my name on his folder - we happen to just passed by it and hotel staff is already there waiting for us! ||||We were then greeted by the very friendly Ben (fellow Hongkonger) as we packed our things out of our car to check in. The other gentlemen helped with parking the car next door's sheltered garage. ||||As we were checking in (signing paper and photocopying passports) my wife get to pick a Yukata / Kimono so she some fun finding one. Whilst for the men, we don't get to choose and it's already in the hotel room. We were then lead into our room, which is in another building (newer) from the main hotel / lobby area, which is through the restaurant corridor and a half-sheltered space between the two buildings. Walking through here in winter may be a little inconvenient.||||All the room facilities are quite new and well kept. Though some may find the bathing and onsen area quite frantic as it's semi-private only. ||||Dinner and breakfast were served at the restaurant in the main building. Only a minute walk over. We got a private booth with tatami floor mats. Food was very tasty and very sumptuous. A+!||||The hotel is sandwiched between two roads but we didn't hear too much if any road noise. It is also situated very close to the Onsen museum (a few steps up) and a few minutes to the main strip.||||I really enjoy my stay st this onsen hotel but gave it 4.0 because it didn't feel authentically Japanese, maybe it was just at the beginning with check-in. But wife and I really appreciate the help from Ben, with the local advice, suggestions, and also for getting my wife a skin cream from sun burn / irritation. The other part is the view from our bedroom wasn't spectacular. But all in all still...

Stayed over valentines day and was greeted well at the reception. Clear explanation was given and girls get to pick their own robe! Pick up from JR was fast and great, no hassle at all. They also responded to emails as we changed our pick up time on the morning of, and they managed to respond and picked up at the right time. ||||The room was very clean, new and loved the in-house private hot spring. The water was so hot and it was so refreshing!!! We were recommended not to dilute the hot spring water with cold water, so we had to wait around 30-40 minutes for the water to cool down. It was very heart-felt and caring from the hotel. ||||The hotel is walkable distance to some of the town's attractions. We were able to attend a special event in Gero as the hotel reception- Ben told us right when we checked in! We didn't even know about it!! ||||In terms of meals, the amount of food is definitely enough! there were so much with the full-set course. The most delicious was the beef!! other items are regular. We had to move to another room for dinner though but it was set up perfectly. ||||It was a great experience and check-out/ ride to JR station was hassle free!! we got many tips and advise from the hotel and many questions were answered! really felt their service! ||||Overall, the thing that is memorable to me is we loved the private onsen...