Kazeya

A gorgeous Ryokan in the Okuhida onsen region. My partner and I had a wonderful few nights’ stay here and wished we had longer! We came after a stay in Tokyo and this was just what we wanted for an escape in nature for a short while. |The natural hot springs in the area meant we could enjoy the onsen facilities. Some rooms have a private onsen, but those like us who didn’t have an onsen in the room there are private ones available that you can use if it’s vacant. |The hosts were really kind and hospitable, making sure we had a pleasant and luxurious stay. The breakfasts and evenings meals they prepared were excellent, and definitely what was needed after hiking in the area! It is noted that given the location and weather the area can be prone to stink bugs in the rooms, but this was absolutely not a problem for us. |Thank you to all Kazeya staff for making our stay so amazing - it was what we had hoped and more! We are already hoping to plan a return visit in the future.

The most amazing place I've ever stayed. As cheesy as it sounds, this place is magical. The Ryokan is gorgeous and traditional. The private onsens were an amazing way to relax and unwind after a chaotic week in Tokyo. The hosts were amazingly helpful and kind, and made our stay perfect. We had dinner and breakfast provided each day, which were always delicious and generous. The area is stunning and perfect for a lovely walk in nature. The entire stay was incredibly relaxing and we wish we'd stayed for longer. Things worth noting: - It is highlighted on their website that the area is prone to stinkbugs which can get into the building, but this didn't bother us. - If travelling from Takayama/Hirayu Onsen, you can buy tickets on the day, but from further away places you might have to book in advance. For the return to Takayama/Hirayu Onsen you can buy tickets when you get on the bus.

This was an unforgettable experience. From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed with genuine kindness, and the staff’s excellent English made everything so smooth and comfortable. We chose to have dinner at the ryokan, and it was absolutely delicious, beautifully prepared and a real highlight of our stay. We had a private bath in our room, which was wonderfully relaxing, and also enjoyed the ryokan’s outdoor garden bath. Sitting there surrounded by nature was one of the most peaceful moments of my life. The entire stay was serene, restorative, and filled with thoughtful touches. I can’t recommend this place highly enough, everyone should experience it at least once in their lifetime. Thank you for having us!

Don’t be fooled by the good lighting photos on Booking.com. This remote ryokan was very old and not very clean. Our room was dark, stuffy despite plenty of space, smelled musty and damp. The worst part was the stinking bugs (kamemushi) that were all over the place. We spent so much time getting rid of them. Bathroom sink mold creeped me out. Breakfast was so-so but we didn’t have any other options nearby. Now onto the good part: Free private indoor and outdoor onsen that didn’t require advance booking. Simply grab the key and go right in. The view around the place was stunning given the right weather. It is a short drive from Shinhotaka ropeway, which is not to be missed. Host was not very helpful but seemed eager towards Caucasian guests.

We stayed at this ryokan for two nights. One of the highlights is definitely the location — it’s very convenient for visiting Kamikōchi, which was one of the main reasons we chose it, and we highly recommend exploring the area. We also really enjoyed the traditional Japanese meals served during our stay; the food was delicious and a great way to experience authentic local cuisine. The private onsen was another highlight — peaceful and relaxing. The outdoor onsen was also enjoyable, until an unfortunate incident occurred: I stepped on a piece of glass while exiting the bath and injured my foot. I lost a fair amount of blood. While the staff apologized and offered us a scoop of ice cream at dinner, we felt this response was insufficient. A more serious and transparent apology, with an explanation of how it happened and what measures were being taken to prevent such incidents in the future, would have been more appropriate and responsible. There were also a few issues with cleanliness and maintenance. The traditional clothes provided in the room (typically worn during the stay) did not appear to be freshly washed. Our room’s blankets were ripped, and in the ryokan’s library, the couches were deteriorating, with pieces of fake leather peeling off, which gave the space a neglected feel. The staff were polite, though their attentiveness varied. Overall, while we appreciated the location, the meals, and the private onsen, the facility needs better upkeep and a much stronger approach to guest safety. With improvements, this ryokan could offer a truly memorable experience — but as it stands, it fell short in some important areas.

This “4 star”  ryokan was the biggest disappointment of our trip. From the first impression to the last minute of checking out. The feeling of haunted house is always present. Dust balls, rotten boards in the onsen places, dirty old walls in the room, The furniture with chipped edges. On top of all that, the blankets were old, dirty and…ripped! The necessities provided were toothbrush, liquid soap and shampoo. In the closet were 4 hagers with yukata. Funny moment. Next day we saw the guy was washing his ryokan provided yukata. So the question is why it was hanging on the hanger instead of laying ironed and folded? No slippers, no socks provided  in the ‘No shoes ryokan’. The food is of low quality. Do not choose beef in any circumstances. If you see it and refuse to eat this garbage you will be charged anyway. Oh, breakfast. It is kinda local continental in size. We had a pouch of jam and a medallion of margarine to share for 2 people.

We got the Kaizeki dinner and it was one of the best meals of our lives. The whole experience was incredible and the onsens were amazing. The staff were so lovely and I could not have wished for a better experience. Only small point is if you don’t have a car, the nearest options for lunch are a 35-40 minute walk away, but it’s an incredible walk where we saw snow monkeys and eagles! I think they also have bikes you can rent but we didn’t do this.

Kazeya Ryokan is an authentic traditional Ryokan. We have spent a wonderfull time enjoying the food served by the staff as well as the different onsens. I have seen some comments stating that is isn't clean or it has too many insects, but it isn't the case. Sure it is not perfect, but it is not what you should expect coming this far in the valley. If it's a classy and brand new Ryokan that you are looking for, I recommend looking at bigger cities like Tokyo or Osaka. If you want a traditional Ryokan experience, this is the one to choose. My wife and I would be happy to come back again.