The guesthouse’s location is beautiful, we absolutely loved the view we had from a window and a front door. The bus stops some 5 mins from the guesthouse’s front door. The ropeway is within 15 mins walk from the guesthouse. On the checkout day the staff gave us a free ride to the ropeway from where we forwarded our luggage and hopped on a next bus. The guesthouse itself is very convenient with all the essential facilities. As a person with lots of tattoos it is not always easy for me to find an Onsen in Japan that would have me, but this guesthouse offered private baths I could use. The views from there were as stunning as from the communal baths. There is also a smaller indoors hot bath in the bathing room that I also used with a great pleasure. Did not have a dinner or breakfast but it smelled deliciously around a meal time!

Very Japanese experience with wonderful Onsen. Things I would've liked to know beforehand: - dinner is at 6 pm sharp and you should make a reservation before. Dinner was 7700 yen - breakfast is japanese style - Onsen is wonderful (and naked) - there are no restaurants within a mile of the hotel - bring your best Japanese language skills Public transport is easy. Bring cash. More than you think you need.

The location is very good, the rooms are in traditional Japanese style and spacious. The onsen is wonderful (and there is an onsen where male and female can bath together). The lady at the reception was a bit harsh when we checked in, but when we got to know each other a little bit it became a lot better!

The main issue is that the restaurant is closed for dinner and for breakfast, although booking states otherwise. I only read that in the latest reviews after we had already booked. Booking.com still advertises with the breakfast option. If you want to go out for dinner/breakfast, you have to drive for min. 15 minutes for the nearest supermarket/restaurant.

This is the 21st Japanese inn (ryokan) we’ve stayed at and a once in a lifetime experience for us. Surrounded by the northern alps of Japan, the vistas are breath taking. Bathing in the wilderness in the midst of nature with the soothing sounds of the Gamada River is truly priceless. The ryokan is very clean, guests have to remove their shoes before entering. Our room was huge, we appreciate that they gave us the corner room.

There were no available meals to be booked, being very secluded, you can have breakfast there for ¥2,200 per head, we had to plan our meals around the activities in Okuhida and the hourly bus schedules making sure we are waiting by the bus stop 5 minutes before the scheduled stop. The last bus from Takayama leaves at 18:40. So anytime between 18:40-20:14 where the latter is the time the last bus arrives at Shinzansou.

This place was stunning and by far one of my favorite parts of my trip to Japan. I rarely write reviews but this place just resonated with me. It is nestled in the mountains along a turquoise river, with private onsens and a true traditional Japanese feel. Dinner is a bit pricey at about 40 usd per person but in my opinion totally worth it. They give you so much food that is so well made and meticulously thought out it is an experience on its own. You can also bring snacks as there is a small fridge in the rooms and there is a vending machine for drinks right outside. The staff will mostly communicate with you through Google translate and videos but you will get all your needs met. A little information about getting there that could be helpful: I took the Nohi highway bus from (Tokyo) Shinjuku terminal to Takayama bus terminal. This bus will make a few 15 min stops along the way. One of these stops will be the Hiraya Onsen (about 45 minutes from Takayama) I actually ended up getting off here as it is much closer to Shinzanso and buying a ticket for another bus going to Shinhotaka Ropeway. On the Shinhotaka bus I got off on exit H63 for Shinzanzo. Definitely double check all this information at the bus terminal/with bus drivers as I’m sure the information can change. But I found this out on a whine and it actually saved me 2 hours of being on the bus!! Hopefully it helps you too :) Hiraya Onsen is also your transfer point to get to Kamikochi as you will have to take two buses to get there. All in all do yourself a favor and stay at Shinzanso it is the experience of a lifetime.

Property is amazing, in a beautiful place, access to their own onsen, private or public. If you are a guest you have free access to the amenities. Terrific value for money, I will return for sure Totally recommend it mainly if you come by car, considering is a bit remote. 20min walk to the ropeway Shin-Hotaka, through a beautiful path next to the river.

The only problem for me was that there is no food services (paid or included) and there wasn’t any super markets walking distance and even the bus could take hours. So, come prepared with loads of food! The hosts didn’t speak English, they try to explain everything but if you have any doubts just use the translator

Booked this place for one night to experience their riverside onsen and was not disappointed. The facility is definitely on the older side, but the view and vibes were fantastic especially while surrounded by 2 ft tall snow. I even saw a fox while soaking. Private onsens must be reserved the day of for slots of 50 min which is more than enough time. Meals are not included in the booking, but there is a mini-fridge in the room and a public microwave in the hallway in case you bring your own food. Shinzanso is one of the few ryokans in the area that allow solo travelers to book, and my room could probably comfortably fit two people. People seem to complain about not having private toilets (there was a private sink in my room) but this is Japan lol. You can expect the public bathrooms to be very clean and designed to be as private as possible. I didn't see any stink bugs during my stay but did see them at other ryokans that I stayed at in the area. Also of note, the staff don't speak English but went out of their way to help me call and move the date of a separate reservation I had. Would absolutely stay again!

Unfortunately the 2 public outdoor onsens were closed when I went due to an avalanche warning. The 2 outdoor private onsens were still open as well as the indoor onsen. I would just check with the owners what the situation is like over there before you book.

One of the best locations i have ever stayed in. Utterly stunning. Totally off the beaten track and away from tourists. The onsens on site are the best i have every visited. Wild and in nature. Meals were great (FYI make sure you prebook this direct as it's not listed as an option on the platform and there is NO WHERE at all to get food if you arrive unprepared).

Hosts were pretty unfriendly. Banging on our door to check out only minutes after 10am. We were just zipping up bags.. seemed a bit uptight. But rules are rules so fair enough i guess! This didn't ruin the experience. Meals very expensive but delicious- you are captive so there isn't really an option so we appreciated being able to eat on site. The property was one of a kind and so worth it.

This is quite a unique property. It’s a place where you go specifically for onsen and a night of very traditional dining/ sleeping etc. It was a good experience for us. We used the private onsen which was really nice. If you have a car, it’s quite close to the ropeway/ sawando bus stop etc.

It is a property on its own, you need a car really to get here so bare that in mind. We used it as a wind down from Tokyo and it was much needed but I probably wouldn’t stay more than 1 night as we may have been bored.

Beautiful property! It is located right next to the river which you hear all the time. The onsen are lovely (although the private onsen was closed). Swimsuits are OK, however men are allowed to bathe nude in the mixed onsen. Women are only allowed to bathe nude in the women-only onsen and have to wear a modesty wrap in the mixed bath which they give to you upon check-in. Tattoos are OK. The room was spacious and had a small separate area with a sink. Toilets are shared and there is a shared bathroom downstairs separate for male/female. Japanese style bathroom (no private showers). We loved the spectacular view from the onsen and our window. The breakfast and dinner was amazing, and plenty of food. No choices, you get a set menu. A lot of fish and vegetables, some hida beef, soups, noodles, rice and tea. We visited in November and it was not busy. We went on a hike from the Ropeway station and did not see any other hikers. Beware that this time of year there are bears around and precautions should be taken when walking in the forest.

We had looked forward to the private onsen experience, yet inexplicable the private onsen were closed during our stay. They did not mention this to us beforehand when we enquired about it. Be advised that this hotel is in the middle of nowhere, there are no shops around and it is not in Kamikochi. To go to Kamikochi you would have to take two buses again (ca 45 minute trip)! It is however a 15 minute walk to the Ropeway where there is a little takeaway counter for food and you can do some hikes. The hotel does not offer lunch.