Very well kept considering the age of the property. It is also perfectly adorned with just the right amount of decorations. The river running through beside the property was a bonus. Our room was right next to it. It was also a short walking distance to the village. The staff, all family members of the owner, were so wonderful and accommodating. The owner also gave a tour of the village all the way up to the observation deck were you see the entire Shirakawago village. We were sad to leave.

There is nothing to dislike about this place. If I were to be picky, it would have to be the bed. The mattress is not thick enough for US taste but I didn’t mind it since it was a 1 night stay. Having stayed here though, I wished we stayed for 1-2 more nights.

The family that runs the place is the most amazing little local family. They forage/hunt for the meals themselves, they do everything for the guests. It is also their family home. I am an architect, and what the family did with the design of the place exceeded expectations! The rooms are all top quality, overlooking the river or the gardens. The bath (onsen) is private and perfect for families/couples/small groups! Again, absolutely beautiful. They care so much, and you can tell.

The only thing was the drinks at dinner were not included and they were quite expensive. Too bad a minimum standard wasn’t included in the high cost of the room.

An absolutely stunning ryokan that is run by a phenomenal family. The ryokan is perfectly situated ( a 1-2 minute walk from the central bus station). The ambiance is quiet, peaceful and calm, and the bathing facilities are clean and modern, with top notch soaps/shampoos/conditioners. There was a breathtaking view of the river and gardens from our window. The meals were so delicious and unique. With locally foraged and hunted foods that were exquisitely presented, I felt like I was eating at Noma. This is a family-owned business and operation, and the Matsufuru family is incredibly gracious and kind. Their generous hospitality was felt the moment we stepped into Shiroyamakan. The tour of Shirakawa-go that Mr. Matsufuru gave at the the beginning of our stay was a highlight of our entire trip to Japan and the warmth and joy that he exudes is truly amazing. Thank you for a wonderful experience and stay!

Shiroyamakan was a highlight of our trip to Shirakawa-go. Although not an official gassho-style house, this 140-year-old inn is nestled within the UNESCO village and blends beautifully into its surroundings. The family-run ryokan operates like a well-oiled machine, yet every interaction felt warm and personal. From the included village tour to the exquisitely prepared kaiseki dinner and breakfast, everything was carried out with impressive attention to detail. The food was exceptional, with a spot-on alcohol pairing during dinner. The two private onsens were a lovely touch, offering a relaxing and serene experience. We especially appreciated the blend of modern comfort with traditional Japanese aesthetics—tatami mats, futon sleeping with rice pillows, and calming views of the garden and pond. Traditional yukata were provided, which we wore comfortably around the house. A truly special stay that honours both tradition and hospitality.

Nothing.

We had a wonderful stay at Shiroyamakan. The 4th-5th generation of this family to run the inn are lovely and you can tell that they have a lot of pride and passion for their work and culture. The food was fantastic with mainly homemade and local resources. We especially appreciated the tour by car from the father on the first day to get some pointers for our own exploration. He also helps with taking photos at the observation deck and is all in all a fun and lovely man. Another plus is that in the morning you get a head start to see Shirakawago before most of the tourist busses arrive. Highly recommend staying here on your visit to Shirakawago, it has been our top experience in Japan so far.

The property is a decade old but lovingly cared for. Staying there felt like taking a step back in history. A very authentic experience and one that was welcome after spending time in Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto. The hosts were also exceptionally gracious and made us feel very welcome. Their farm to table dinner was delicious and so beautifully prepared. We unfortunately had only one night to spend there, but wish we could have enjoyed the peace and hospitality for a few more nights. In fact, my thirteen year old son loved it so much that he says he will be returning for a week when he starts traveling on his own!

From the moment we arrived we felt wonderfully welcomed and at home. Shiroyamakan is a family run guesthouse with deep connections to the local area and they make you feel like part of the family. On arrival we were given a short minibus tour of the village which helped us get our bearings. The setting is absolutely stunning and the private onsen has magical views over the mountain stream. The dinner and breakfast were wonderfully delicious and varied making great use of locally sourced ingredients (including wild venison hunted by a relative). I particularly enjoyed the homemade yuzu wine. Best of all was the understanding the family gave to our slightly noisy 1 year old, with the 9 year old son of the couple looking after us playing with our toddler and keeping him occupied which meant that we could thoroughly enjoy our dinner in peace! A truly fabulous stay and top marks all round.

I don’t have the words for how absolutely lovely this stay was. This is a family-run ryokan and the family is such a wonderful group of people. They are all so kind and provide wonderful hospitality. They also all speak some English which was helpful for us Canadians. The tour around Shirakawago with the father/owner of the property was so enjoyable. He is such a nice man and I really appreciate his values. He really believes in treating everyone with kindness no matter nationality, ethnicity or beliefs. The breakfast was a classic kaiseki meal (the fish was delicious). Dinner was a wonderful spin on a kaiseki dinner. Everything is locally foraged for or caught or hunted. The youngest son is a hunter. We ate bear and deer tongue. The veggies were locally foraged for in the mountains. The squid we had was caught in the ocean by the father. This was such a once in a lifetime experience. The hot spring bath is really lovely and the futons are really comfortable. I highly, highly recommend this stay. It was a highlight of our trip.

I loved every part, however I will say if you are used to western food and/or are not an adventurous eater, you may not enjoy the meals as much as I did.

The ryokan is steeped in history, now run by the fourth generation of the family. The hosts are exceptionally attentive, making you feel like a truly valued guest. Both dinner and breakfast are prepared with local ingredients, offering an authentic taste of regional cuisine. The location is easy to find, situated near the crossroads leading to the village. A small guided tour by the host adds a personal touch and makes the experience even more special.

The house is old, so it’s not very well insulated, and it can get chilly at night. The host provided an electric heater, which keeps the bedroom warm and comfortable, but the bathroom and other areas still feel a bit cold and less cozy.

Staff is incredibly attentive. You stay will start with staff confirming when you will be arriving. I had noted I would be arriving before noon on an early bus and was directed to check in right away, with my room ready when I arrived. Should you wish, the owner will offer a short tour of Shirakawago by car at 2:30, performed in either Japanese or English depending on who is taking it. This includes a direct trip to the lookout, which is only avaliable through the town shuttle or Shiroyamakan. Dinner was seated at 6 with all 4 guestrooms being served at the same time. Explanations were provided in Japanese or English depending on the guest's preference. Dinner itself consisted of a number of courses all from local ingredients, often harvested or caught by the family itself. For an additional ¥5,000 a pairing of alchohol was avaliable with dinner and is highly recommended. Overall, dinner was about an hour and a half. Breakfast was provided at 7:45 in the dining room. An hour is plenty of time for breakfast, so if you have a somewhat early bus don't worry. Two private baths are avaliable on a first-come-first-served basis and with one overlooking the river and the other the garden. I was told the garden bath had a stronger hinoki scent to it, but did not have the chance to try it this stay due to needing to catch an early bus. I did however try the river facing bath, which had a great view.

Nothing. Everything was perfect. Please note pricing is set for groups of 2 or more and will not be adjusted down for solo travelers, not that I requested this.