Yunoshimakan

The staff were wonderful (helpful and friendly), the food was very good, the bus shuttle was very efficient, the onsen, especially the outside one overlooking the mountains was peaceful and it wa a great touch to provide a yukata each day

some of the internal decor was a little 'tired' and needed a refresh but it did not take away from the experience of the stay:)

This is a historic hotel overlooking Gero-onsen. We stayed during what was clearly off-season (it was sweltering hot and humid, end of July) and the place was almost deserted. In spite of being sweaty and disheveled we were welcomed like royalty. Our room had a private bath which was truly lavish and had an amazing view. Also, in spite of being tattooed, they let me into the onsen because nobody was around! So that actually went better than I expected. We didn't think our kids would appreciate the $200 fancy dinner at the hotel restaurant so we ate at the "bar snacks" area that opened after 8 PM. It was superb. Also our kids absolutely loved exploring the vast, sprawling complex, searching for all of the stamps located in various areas.

The futon beds were nice but they were really thin - we stayed at a ryokan on futon beds before this, and by comparison it felt like we were just sleeping on the ground. Everything else is so opulent that it felt odd by comparison. Also, the "stamp rally" that my kids had so much fun completing promised a prize at the front desk... but they could only get the prize by posting about the hotel on Instagram and showing it to the employees. I don't use social media and my 12 year old was absolutely crushed. I figured they might give in and give him the prize anyway - after all, what kid has an Instagram account? But no, they refused.

A genuinely charming hotel. The architecture, garden, and riverside setting are beautiful. At check-in, staff walk you through the history of the property, including the imperial visits, which sets the tone well. Service throughout was attentive. Breakfast was excellent. The traditional yukata they provide to wear around the property is a nice touch that pulls you into the spirit of the place.

Two small notes. Room amenities felt inconsistent with the overall positioning: towels, toiletries, and in-room details were below what the property suggests. Second, we booked a room with a private onsen but in hindsight the standard rooms in the historic building combined with the communal onsen would have been the better choice, both for value and for the experience of staying in the more characterful part of the hotel.

An old historic location on the slopes of Gero Onsen town. Reception building is beautiful. Staff were very polite.

The building housing the rooms were quite a let down, no view out as blocked by trees. Overall property is very old and you can feel it. Also the hotel caters to more Caucasian tourists as such the breakfast and kaiseki fare is average. You don’t get too local a cuisine as it might not be appreciated to their core audience.