Hello. This time I stayed at Tsuyu Kusasou, an inn located in Hirayu Onsen, the gateway to Okuhida Onsenkyo, Gifu Prefecture.
In conclusion, it was an inn that I would sincerely like to return to. In this article, I will share with you the charm of the facility and my actual lodging experience.
I strongly believe that this hotel is ideal not only for Okuhida Onsenkyo, but also as a base for mountain climbing and cycling in Kamikochi, Norikura-dake, and the Hotaka mountain range.
Access: Easy access by bus! Ideal for mountain climbing and sightseeing.
Tsuyuukusa-so is a 3-minute walk from Hirayu Bus Terminal.
It has excellent access to Takayama, Shin Hotaka, and Kamikochi areas, so you don’t need a car. This time we visited by highway bus from Shinjuku and arrived smoothly with few transfers.
Smart check-in! The comfort of a non-contact, self-service system
This inn is almost entirely self-service.
If you make a reservation & payment online in advance, you will receive a PIN number for the entrance by e-mail before your stay. You can also check-in and check-out at your own timing.
The best part is that you can stay without much contact with people and without worrying about them.
Introduction to the hotel: All hot springs, guest rooms, and common facilities are “clean and comfortable”.
Hot springs (indoor and outdoor baths) available for private use
There are two indoor baths and one outdoor bath, all of which are luxurious enough to be used on a private basis!
It is well cleaned and even the edges of the bathtub are sparkling clean.
The open-air baths offer an exquisite experience of soaking in hot water while enjoying the view of the Northern Alps.
Stained-glass windows are an impressive feature of the interior décor.
Colorful stained glass windows are placed here and there throughout the museum, adding accents to the Japanese-style space.
Everywhere you turn, it’s photogenic!
Rooms are pure Japanese style with tatami mats, cool and air conditioner-free.
The Japanese-style room where we stayed was a very relaxing space with tatami mats.
It was cool in the summer and I could sleep comfortably without air conditioning.
The rooms are fully equipped with air conditioners, refrigerators, air purifiers, televisions, and other amenities.
Clean common space (washrooms and toilets)
Washrooms and toilets are shared, but bright and clean.
Separate trash cans are also provided next to the washbasin for your comfort even during long stays.
Meals: Free bread and coffee in the morning! No need to worry about evening meals
The inn is based on overnight stays with no meal, but free bread and coffee are provided in the morning.
The refrigerator is lined with a wide variety of breads, and you are free to choose whatever you like.
The restaurant is also equipped with vending machines for cup noodles and curry. This is a safe place to have a nighttime meal or when you are hungry.
Amenities: minimal but necessary and sufficient
Yukata, bath towels, hand towels, and toothbrush sets are provided, making it easy to stay light.
Price and clientele: Popular with foreigners and reasonably priced
The inn is also very reasonably priced and offers excellent value for money.
It is also popular not only among Japanese but also among foreign tourists visiting Japan, and its English-language signage and self-service system are designed to be easy for foreigners to understand.
It is also ideal for inbound tourism to Okuhida and Kamikochi.
Summary of impressions after staying at the hotel
- Comfortable with a style that doesn’t care about others.
- Hot springs are the real deal. Excellent cleanliness.
- Cool in summer, ideal for long stays
- Recommended for couples and married couples as well as single travelers.
- Ideal base for sightseeing in Kamikochi, Norikura, and Shin Hotaka
- Design and systems designed with foreign tourists in mind
- Rates are reasonable and easy on the wallet.
Finally.
Tsuyuukusa-so” was a perfect description of a “free and easy base” in a hot spring resort.
It is a perfect balance of necessary things in place while eliminating unnecessary services.
It was the kind of travel inn that I would like to repeat again.
