This site uses affiliate links; we may earn a commission on bookings.
Gero Onsen Yamagataya
forumWhat families say
Rakuten Travel rating 4.1 out of 5 (2,044 reviews). Families praise the attentive touches, such as arranging a surprise cake for their son, and enjoyed being able to stroll through Gero in the evening with their children in geta sandals after dinner. Some also report that dinner went down so well their children cleaned their plates. On the other hand, some guests report long lines at the breakfast buffet during the Obon holiday period, so timing needs care in busy seasons.
Categories
Kids Facilities
Children's kaiseki and kids' meal
Children's kaiseki and kids' meal
For children of elementary school age and under there are two options: "Child A," a Japanese kaiseki meal along the lines of the adult menu but with fewer courses, and "Child B," a kids' meal with dishes such as chicken rice and fried prawns. Baby food is not served, but staff will warm baby food you bring with you.
Private-hire open-air baths (7 of them)
Private-hire open-air baths (7 of them)
Seven private-hire open-air baths, each with its own character, line the Hida River, and each booking lasts 45 minutes if you reserve in advance by phone. There is a charge to use them, and soap, shampoo and similar products may not be used. They are a good option when you want the onsen to yourselves as a family.
- •Advance reservation by phone is required.
- •Soap, shampoo and similar products may not be used.
Multipurpose toilet (with diaper-changing table)
Multipurpose toilet (with diaper-changing table)
At the back of the 4th-floor lobby in Tosenkaku, partway along the passage to Taikanso, there is a multipurpose toilet that can be used with a wheelchair. It is spacious and has a diaper-changing table, so it can be used for changing a young child.
Baby plan (with items available to borrow)
Baby plan (with items available to borrow)
There is a baby plan for stays with a baby, and items to borrow are set aside specifically for it. Please check the plan details and what is available to borrow with the ryokan when you book.
Overview
Gero Onsen Yamagataya is a ryokan in Gero Onsen founded in the Edo period. Along the Hida River it has a communal bath, open-air baths and 7 private-hire open-air baths, and guests can also choose a room with its own natural hot-spring bath. There are set accommodation and meal rates for children of elementary school age and under, meals for children, and staff will warm baby food you bring with you, but there are no play facilities for children or younger kids. It suits families who want to take their time in the onsen and their room.
Rooms
The ryokan is made up of three buildings - Ryoshokan, Tosenkaku and Taikanso - with a wide variety of rooms, mainly Japanese-style tatami rooms and Japanese-Western rooms. The "15-tatami Japanese-style room plus 5-tatami Japanese-style room" on the 4th and 6th floors of Tosenkaku accommodates up to 8 adults. The Japanese-Western rooms on the 7th floor of Tosenkaku combine twin beds with futon bedding for up to 4 guests. The Japanese twin rooms, renovated in 2020, are non-smoking and pair Ryukyu tatami with low Japanese-style twin beds. There are also rooms with a semi-open-air view bath fed by natural hot-spring water: the Japanese-style suites Momose and Sembako and the corner room Ariake. Ariake and Akebono can also be used as connecting rooms. Rooms with an open-air bath each have their own distinctive natural hot-spring bath - ceramic, iron-pot or cast-iron - and guests staying in them are given a private dining room for their meals. Ryoshokan has Japanese-Western rooms with an indoor bath fed by natural hot-spring water, as well as Japanese-Western rooms with a shower booth; both have twin beds and a tatami corner and sleep up to 4 guests. The Japanese-Western rooms in Tosenkaku (10 tatami mats plus a bedroom) are semi-barrier-free, with flat flooring across the Western-style room, washbasin area and toilet, so a wheelchair can move straight through.
Dining
Dinner centers on kaiseki cuisine featuring Hida beef, local seafood and seasonal vegetables, and the dining venue is generally left to the ryokan to decide. However, the couples plan, baby plan and anniversary plan all guarantee either a private dining room or in-room dining. For children of elementary school age and under there are two options: "Child A," a Japanese kaiseki meal along the lines of the adult menu but with fewer courses, and "Child B," a kids' meal with dishes such as chicken rice and fried prawns. Baby food is not served, but staff will warm baby food you bring with you. If anyone in your party has a food allergy, let the ryokan know in advance and they will accommodate it as far as possible; they cannot accommodate severe allergies or requests made on the day.
Baths and Onsen
Gero Onsen is one of Japan's three most famous hot springs, alongside Kusatsu Onsen and Arima Onsen, and its alkaline simple onsen is gentle on the skin. There are separate communal baths for men and women, plus open-air baths where you can bathe to the sound of the Hida River, and handrails are fitted at the bathroom entrances and along parts of the tubs. Seven private-hire open-air baths, each with its own character, line the Hida River and can be used for 45 minutes per booking if you reserve in advance by phone. There is a charge to use them, and soap, shampoo and similar products may not be used. The communal baths and open-air baths are unavailable from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. for cleaning and maintenance.
Family-friendly Features
Accommodation rates for children of elementary school age and under are roughly 70% of the adult rate. For a child having the kids' meal and bedding, the rate is 50% of the adult rate, and for bedding only it is 30% of the adult rate or 2,200 yen including tax. Children aged 1 and over who use neither meals nor bedding are charged a facility fee of 2,200 yen including tax, while co-sleeping is free for children under 1; they are not counted in the number of guests booked and can instead be noted in the remarks field. At the back of the 4th-floor lobby in Tosenkaku, partway along the passage to Taikanso, there is a multipurpose toilet that can be used with a wheelchair; it is spacious and includes a diaper-changing table. Ramps are provided at steps inside the building so wheelchairs can move around, but some steps may remain at room entrances, dining venues and the communal baths. Note that there are no facilities where children or younger kids can play, so if you are looking for a play area it is worth checking in advance.
Access
Yamagataya is about a 13-minute walk from Gero Station on the JR Takayama Main Line, and a free shuttle bus also runs between the station and the ryokan. A free shuttle bus or taxi pickup is timed to the arrival of limited express trains, and in the morning the ryokan will also drive you back to Gero Station. By car it is about 60 minutes from Nakatsugawa IC on the Chuo Expressway. Free parking is available at 2 locations on the property as well as at contracted parking off-site (which may be some distance from the ryokan), and staff take the car and park it for you.
Access & Information
| location_onAddress | 260-1 Yunoshima, Gero, Gifu 509-2207 |
|---|---|
| directions_carAccess | In the onsen town of Gero Onsen, one of Japan's three most famous hot springs, in the area around Gero Station on the JR Takayama Main Line. Parking is provided. |
| trainNearest station | Gero Station |
| local_parkingParking | Free parking is available at 2 locations on the property, plus contracted parking off-site (which may be some distance from the ryokan). Staff will hold your car keys. |
| callPhone | +81-576-25-2601 |
| paymentsCards | VISA, JCB, American Express, Diners Club, UC, DC, NICOS, UFJ Card, Mastercard, JTB, Rakuten Card |
| languageOfficial site | https://www.geroyamagataya.com/open_in_new |
Reference price as of August 15, 2026 (stay date 2026-09-05). Please check the booking site for actual rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do children of elementary school age and under pay to stay?
expand_more
Children of elementary school age and under are generally charged 70% of the adult rate. For a child having the kids' meal and bedding, the rate is 50% of the adult rate, and for bedding only it is 30% of the adult rate or 2,200 yen including tax.
Can the ryokan warm baby food or accommodate food allergies?
expand_more
If you have allergies or ingredients you truly cannot eat, let the ryokan know in advance and they will accommodate you as far as possible. However, they cannot remove trace ingredients contained in processed foods, or dashi stock and extracts. Baby food is not served, but the ryokan will warm baby food you bring.
Are there meals for children?
expand_more
Meals for children of elementary school age and under are available. There are two options: Child A, a Japanese kaiseki course along the lines of the adult menu, and Child B, a kids' meal with dishes such as chicken rice and fried prawns.
Can we have a private dining room or in-room dining when traveling with a baby?
expand_more
The dinner venue is generally chosen by the ryokan, but plans that guarantee the dining location, such as the baby plan, come with either a private dining room or in-room dining.
Can we reserve a private-hire open-air bath?
expand_more
Yes, by phone in advance. Each booking lasts 45 minutes, and staying guests can start a session at any time between 4 p.m. and 10 p.m. The charge is 2,200 yen including tax per booking.
Related hotels
Family-friendly hotels in Gero Onsen
Hotels with In-Room Dining in Gero Onsen
Find other hotels
Find other hotels
Information on this page was compiled by directly consulting Official website, Rakuten Travel, Jalan (last verified: August 2026). Prices, availability and seasonal operations change — please check each booking site for the latest information.
We take care to keep information accurate, but always confirm the latest details on the hotel's official site and booking sites before you book or visit.