Yoriaido accommodation from NZ$157

Excellent stay. Everything stands out. Clean, safe, wonderful, amazing snowy night and day. Staying there for 2 nights was so dreamy. The onsen experience was unreal. Breakfast was filling with a great set offered. Staffs were helpful and patient. Language barrier was not a big issue. They sincerely try their very best to accomodate. If you want perfect english, best to visit an english-speaking country.

Okuhida Hot Spring Hirayukan is conveniently located, just a short and easy walk from the Hirayu Onsen bus terminal. A small shop beside the ryokan sells snacks and drinks, which is useful especially in the quieter evenings. Check in was smooth and the ryokan already had our Expedia reservations. As with most Japanese ryokan, copies of our passports were taken. We stayed in the Japanese Style Room, Sengakuso, Non Smoking (35 sqm). Footwear must be removed at the main lobby and changed to the in house slippers, in line with traditional ryokan customs. Our room was located some distance away from the main lobby and required climbing two flights of stairs, with no lift access. There were no shower facilities in the room, which is typical for many traditional ryokan. The onsen baths are located in the main building, and the male and female bathing areas are rotated once a day. Buffet dinner offered at Y4400 per person from 6pm. It was enjoyable and good value, with a wide selection including seafood. Each table is provided with two fuel stoves, and guests can choose between grilling, hotplate, or hotpot to cook the raw food. A nice touch is the free ramen served at the main lobby from 10pm to 10.30pm, perfect for a light supper after a soak in the onsen.

We stayed here as a family of 5 (2 adults and 3 kids - 10, 6 and 4) in the traditional Japanese room. We didn't get in till 6ish and left early so we could get to Kamikochi but I wish we had of added another night or at least got there at check in time to make the most of the facilities. Unfortunately we didn't have time to use the onsen. The traditional room is set up for tea when you arrive and then the staff comes back later to make the beds for you. The kids loved the experience. We were also able to wear the yukata to dinner. You can call down for kids ones to be brought up. Staff were lovely. We hadn't booked a food package as I have picky eaters but we went to the dining area on level 1 and were able to order a Japanese set meal for my husband and I and the kids had chicken nuggets, spaghetti and ice-cream. Highly recommend