Yamagataya

Yamagataya has been running since 1804, making it one of the older ryokan in Gero Onsen, part of Japan's celebrated trio of famous hot springs. The water here is clear and leaves skin noticeably smooth, and the inn draws on it across several bath styles: a spacious communal indoor bath with large windows, an outdoor rotenburo shaded by bamboo and maple where you can hear the Hida River below, and seven private open-air baths (kashikiri, 貸切) strung along the riverbank, each with a slightly different character. Some guest rooms also have their own in-room onsen baths. The private baths are available for day visitors by reservation.