Shogetsu

870. Shogetsu, Gero Onsen, Gifu (pt.2) ★★★ Most of the staff are Japanese. The service is strong. There is even a note in the room saying the staff do not speak English, which is actually a plus. The only foreign staff member who spoke English met me at check-in. The most impressive service moment was at dinner. The food was served in a separate room on a dedicated floor. The floor is designed to emulate a little street with a pond and separate rooms where meals are served. First, a man greets and meets you right after the elevators on the floor. He does not ask for my room or name, but immediately addresses me correctly by name and says he will guide me to the dinner area. We start walking to the room at the far end. I realize that all this time a Japanese woman in a kimono has been sitting there in a waiting pose, and at the exact timing when I approach, she bows while seated and greets me. It is hard to describe the atmosphere and the scene properly in words, but it really had a cinematic effect. After that, he leads me into the room and provides kaiseki with a high level of protocol service. I was traveling solo, but the room can only be booked for two, so there was a double kaiseki, and it was served properly. I am rating the whole visit, including the super cool private bath, and of course that is the pearl of the stay, so without that room the rating would definitely not have been this high. The view of Gero Onsen is gorgeous from both the onsen and the balcony. It is pleasant to be in the facility every minute, this is definitely a top-tier experience. 12.03.2026 13.03.2026

870. Shogetsu, Gero Onsen, Gifu (pt.1) ★★★ I stayed overnight. There is no higaeri. If you stay at Shogetsu, you can use the baths at the neighboring partner ryokan, Gero Kanko Hotel, and there is an indoor passage between them. Private baths are available for ¥3,300, with slots from 16:00 to 21:00. They are in separate buildings, and the staff drives you there and picks you up by car, about a one-minute ride. In 2019, it was featured in one of the Michelin guides. The main highlight of the ryokan is the baths on the balconies in the rooms on the fourth floor. There are only 3 such rooms, 2401, 2402, and 2403. The best options are 2401 and 2402: - the first is on the corner and gives extra side views, the tall bushes on the right side of the building are less visible, but the source water outlet will be in front of you and the room/balcony itself is smaller; - the second is in the center, the widest room and balcony, the source water outlet does not interfere with the view from the bath, the tall bushes on the right are visible, but they do not get in the way. Room 2403 looks the weakest of the three, since it is smaller, has the weakest view of the three because it is farther away, and the source water outlet is in front of you. I stayed in room 2402. Very satisfied. The room itself is very comfortable, spacious (listed as 78 square meters), and in excellent condition. There were no neighbors on the floor, so the balcony and the onsen were always quiet. 12.03.2026 13.03.2026

870. Shogetsu, Gero Onsen, Gifu (pt.3) ★★★ About the onsen: 1. Private bath on the balcony in room 2402. A superb view of Gero Onsen, both during the day and in the evening. The water is clear, and the temperature is 41-42. There is a tap for adding water separately and adjusting the temperature. 12.03.2026 13.03.2026

Double meals at Shogetsu, Gero Onsen 12.03.2026 13.03.2026

870. Shogetsu, Gero Onsen, Gifu (pt.4) ★★★ About the onsen: 2. Public bath. 2.1. Indoor bath. Through the window there is a pleasant view of Gero Onsen. The glass fogs up, but it is easy to rinse with water, and it stays clear for quite a while until it fogs up again. The water is clear, temperature 42. Breathing inside is comfortable. 2.2. Outdoor bath. The view is blocked by a tiny garden. The water is clear, temperature 42.5. 3. Private separate bath in a cottage by reservation. It is a 1-minute drive away, staff takes you there and picks you up. View of the trees and the roof of the building next door. The water is clear, temperature 41.5. 12.03.2026 13.03.2026