Welcome to Nakaya. This Gassho-Zukuri ryokan is a part of Ainokura world heritage site. It has three rooms and it is run by a warm welcoming family. Since you will be staying within the site you will be there to take pictures before most of the tourists show up. Cuisine there is a mix of ingredients from the local mountain and the local river, so it changes from season to season.

Facilities

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Ryokan Reviews:

• Lovely stay

  Andrew

  Date of Review: February, 2022

  Month of Visit: February

  Country Of Reviewer:

  Atmosphere Rating - 5

  Food Rating - 5

  Staff Rating - 5

  Location Rating - 5

  Room Rating - 5

  We had a lovely stay at Nakaya. Our hosts were so kind and prepared two beautiful dinners, including fish cooked on the open fire, as well as a delicious and filling breakfast each morning. The room was great and the village itself was stunning covered in the snow. Would 100% recommend to anyone who wants a peaceful getaway in beautiful surroundings.

• A winter dream

  Maria

  Month of Visit: December

  Country Of Reviewer:

  Atmosphere Rating - 5

  Food Rating - 5

  Staff Rating - 5

  Location Rating - 5

  Room Rating - 5

  We arrived at the end of Dezember and were happey it snowed a little. But it didn’t stop the whole night. In the morning the whole village was white and soft and silent like a winter dream. Our stay (a family of four) in Nakaya was very pleasant and one of the most impressing experiences we had travelling in Japan so far! The room was specious, the futons comfortable and warm. Even though it was cold outside and a traditional Japanese house doesn’t have a central heating and very thin walls, even the hallway and the toilet and washing area were not cold. The house is very clean and much effort is put on even small details and decoration. For example the washing area had three thick layers of carpets piled on each other so the cold couldn’t creep into your body. The dinner was excellent and very beautifully arranged. I liked the grilled fish on a stick, hold warm at the fireplace till we arrived for supper, best! The next day we travelled further to Shirakawago and where shocked by the tourist masses that paraded through the village. I didn’t expect that many large tourist groups with Corona still going on. What a sharp contrast between the idyllic quiet Ainokura and the loud and busy Shirakawago. I can warmly recommend a stay at Ainokura village and of course at Nakaya. An excellent price-value-balance and an unforgettable memory!

• Very nice minshuku

  Hooi kien

  Month of Visit: December

  Country Of Reviewer: Malaysia

  Atmosphere Rating - 5

  Food Rating - 5

  Staff Rating - 5

  Location Rating - 5

  Room Rating - 5

  Host was very friendly and welcoming. It was very cold in Dec and they turned on the portable heater to keep the room warm and toasty when I arrive. Dinner is at 6pm but they were quite flexible accommodating our breakfast time. She even sent me to the bus stop in her car after serving me breakfast. Dinner and breakfast was absolutely great - lots of food and tasty!

• I LOVE this place!

  Dian lestari

  Month of Visit: December

  Country Of Reviewer: Indonesia

  Atmosphere Rating - 5

  Food Rating - 5

  Staff Rating - 5

  Location Rating - 5

  Room Rating - 5

  This stay was chosen after a very long consideration. The fact that the location is secluded was one of the attractions. And we were not dissapointed. When we arrived, the Obachan somehow showed up at the bus stop with her car to pick us four and another two guests. We were served with delicious Japanese style dinner after taking a lovely hot bath in the deliciously comfortable bathroom, which can be used by two people at the same time. The futons were comfortably warm and fluffy. The pillows, albeit none of the pillows we're used to, actually helped me get a better sleep. It was filled with cut, hollow plastic tubes instead of feathers or fibers. The breakfast was delicious and plentiful. I could never had big breakfast, so I could not finish it. There is always thermos of hot water and cold water available in the dining room, and they have a massage chair you can use. On the second night, it was snowing. We woke up to this white wonderland amazingly beautiful. My kids were actually upset that we had to leave on that day. I will go here next time during winter, and stayed three nights instead of two. We spent too long at Shirakawa, we didn't have time to explore the village. There is a shop serving hot lunch of ramen and stuff, selling ice creams and some souvenirs. However, they did not rent the snow board to my dismay. This is definitely money worth spending to experience a lovely, charming and hospitable stay in a lovely village of Ainokura.

• Great Experience

  Jessica

  Date of Review: December, 2019

  Month of Visit: December

  Country Of Reviewer: United States

  Atmosphere Rating - 5

  Food Rating - 5

  Staff Rating - 5

  Location Rating - 5

  Room Rating - 5

  I had a wonderful experience staying at Nakaya Guesthouse. The hosts were pleasant and accommodating--especially since I speak virtually no Japanese--and Ainokura is a beautiful village. Food was definitely a highlight--I stayed for two nights and was served a wonderful variety of dishes. The place was spotless, and, even though I visited in December, I was warm and cozy in my futon. There was a small procedural uncertainty about check-in: I wasn't quite sure where to find Nakaya (I had the address of course, but I didn't see any numbers or signs on the guesthouses--happily someone at a local museum helped me), and once I did find it, no one seemed to be there! I chalked it up to arriving before I thought I would, so I left my suitcase in the entryway and explored the village. When I went back, though, I had to kind of wander around the house a little and make "hello I am here" noises in order to get checked in. Honestly not a huge deal for me--and it actually fits the vibe of the village!--but it's good to be aware of these particularities. Overall, though, staying here was a highlight of my trip to Japan. The food was absolutely the best I had during my trip, the peace and quiet was restorative, and seeing how villagers continue to inhabit (and update) these centuries-old houses was really cool and interesting. I'd absolutely go back, and would recommend Nakaya to others!

• Lovely stay in a lovely village

  Keiichi

  Month of Visit: October

  Country Of Reviewer: USA

  Atmosphere Rating - 5

  Food Rating - 5

  Staff Rating - 5

  Location Rating - 5

  Room Rating - 5

  We had a lovely stay at Nakaya. Our host kindly picked us up from the bus stop and also booked a taxi for us on the day of our departure. Meals were excellent, probably the best we had during our trip and the bedding super comfortable. I would love to come back to Ainokura again in the winter. I would not hesitate to stay here again.

• Beautiful minshuku tucked away in Ainokuraguchi

  Angie ann chee

  Month of Visit: November

  Country Of Reviewer: Malaysia

  Atmosphere Rating - 5

  Food Rating - 5

  Staff Rating - 5

  Location Rating - 5

  Room Rating - 5

  I had a good experience with this ryokan. The place was spotless and although the house itself seemed old and historical (which is the whole point of the stay), the washroom, bathroom and basic amenities seemed quite new and well equipped. The hostess was quite reserved, but pleasant and nice nonetheless. Being a single traveller, she also gave me a portable door lock for my room due to all the other travellers being male. That was a very sweet gesture and goes to show the level of detail that goes into Japanese hospitality. Would definitely stay again!

• Good place to stay in Ainokura

  Anna beatriz

  Month of Visit: April

  Country Of Reviewer: Philippines

  Atmosphere Rating - 5

  Food Rating - 5

  Staff Rating - 5

  Location Rating - 5

  Room Rating - 5

  Staying at Nakaya was an experience to remember: Shared facilities were clean and working well and the food - traditional Japanese dishes - served were delicious. The room provided was comfortable too. It was also great that the house was close to two museums showcasing life in Ainokura - it suddenly rained when I was visiting one but I had no problems going to another (and going back to Nakaya) due to the proximity.

• Loved the experience

  Mário

  Month of Visit: April

  Country Of Reviewer: Portugal

  Atmosphere Rating - 5

  Food Rating - 5

  Staff Rating - 5

  Location Rating - 5

  Room Rating - 5

  WWe went to Ainokura trying to avoid the masses and all the tourism, and that was exactly what we got. Beautiful country and tipical home, and our bedroom was large and very confortable. Don't be afraid of the bathrooms because they are very clean and tidy. The food was delicious. Awesome experience. 5*s.

• Great village

  Laurence

  Month of Visit: March

  Country Of Reviewer: Canada

  Atmosphere Rating - 4

  Food Rating - 5

  Staff Rating - 2

  Location Rating - 5

  Room Rating - 4

  Ainokura was a great place to visit but the night at nakaya was not what we have expected. The Atmosphere was cold. The staff didnt explained us where were the bath, the toilet and the commun area. The food was good but the service expeditive. The ryokan was not as clean and comfortable as we have been us to in japan for the half of the price. The couple seems to work a lot to provide a god dinner to guests.is it all about the langage Barrier ?

• Historical inn

  Na

  Month of Visit: October

  Country Of Reviewer: Australia

  Atmosphere Rating - 5

  Food Rating - 5

  Staff Rating - 3

  Location Rating - 5

  Room Rating - 4

  Highly recommend an overnight stay in Ainokura to get a real feel of the UNESCO village without the crowds. We had the largest room for 3 people and it was huge. The food was simple but plenty and delicious. Shared bathroom was private as they only have 3 rooms I think, and the two shared toilets spotless and warm. The hosts are a bit laissez-faire with check-in and check-out procedures. We thought we were checked in by this Japanese lady and her daughter when we arrived just before 5pm. It turned out that the lady and her daughter were also guests! She was directing us where to park our car, opening cupboards to hand us towels, pointing us towards the bathroom and showing us what appeared to be our room! She did not speak a word of English! The owner who spoke a bit of English then turned up after 5pm from picking up two other guests from the bus station, and did not check even check our booking. We could have just walked in from the street!! Anyway, she was very trusting! We had a fab stay. There were only 4 other guests other than us, and we had a really warm and lovely time talking (or rather gesticulating and using Google Translate with the Japanese guests) at dinner and breakfast. The hosts made us feel at home and welcomed. Simple accommodation but very comfortable stay.

• Highlight of our trip!

  Julia

  Date of Review: October, 2018

  Month of Visit: October

  Country Of Reviewer: Australia

  Atmosphere Rating - 5

  Food Rating - 5

  Staff Rating - 5

  Location Rating - 5

  Room Rating - 5

  Wow! Ainokura was the most magical place we visited in Japan. Tucked away in the Japanese mountains, surrounded by green and drenched in the sounds of bubbling streams and native birds- we felt we'd stepped back in time and into a story book. The houses are magical, and our stay was very relaxed and authentic. The bedroom was spacious, clean and the bathroom facilities great. The dinner was very traditional, and part of the experience. The hosts were lovely and welcoming. We are in our late twenties, and would definitely recommend! Be sure to bring cash to pay for the accomodation.

• Amazing experience

  Andrew

  Month of Visit: August

  Country Of Reviewer: Australia

  Atmosphere Rating - 5

  Food Rating - 5

  Staff Rating - 2

  Location Rating - 5

  Room Rating - 5

  I would have to say this would be one of the most stunning places I’ve ever been to, the landscape and scenery is amazing. I went in August by myself and found it to be quite hot and extremely humid.. The house is truly amazing, this is truly a Japanese experience in the rural countryside of Japan. The meal that was served to me was unique and something very different to what I would normally eat, it was amazing. The room I was in has the basics of needs, nothing you’d get in a hotel, no fridge, no tv, nothing like that at all, it was not a problem for me, I had my iPad with me. The room was very comfortable and I enjoyed my surroundings. The only thing I found was the people who own the house and run the place don’t really interact with you, the only time I saw them was at dinner and breakfast. At dinner I wasn’t offered a beverage like the other Japanese guests that were there, it was kinda awkward, I had to ask for something to drink when others were offered a drink. Also I wasn’t shown around the place so I had to find the toilet and bathroom for myself, no towel was given to me for a shower, nothing was shown to me at all or explained to me even though I understand some Japanese and can speak enough to get me by, I would have thought having guest in your house you’d show them around and make sure they were well looked after, Overall it was an amazing experience , some little annoying things but I didn’t let it ruin my experience. Maybe when I return in February for my birthday things might be better. I don’t like giving bad reviews and the people there did seem nice, may be they were not to sure about having a tattooed Aussie guy there, I don’t know? I was there by myself and this is what I experienced.

• Unique experience

  Rich

  Date of Review: August, 2018

  Month of Visit: July

  Country Of Reviewer: Belgium

  Atmosphere Rating - 5

  Food Rating - 5

  Staff Rating - 5

  Location Rating - 5

  Room Rating - 5

  We (couple with two kids aged 12 and 15) reached Ainokura by car, rented in Tokyo to travel to Matsumoto, Takayama, Ainokura and on to Kanazawa where we brought the car back and continued our trip by train. Driving through the Japanese Alps was extremely easy and safe. We found it a very relaxing and convenient way to reach Ainokura. The village is an absolute gem. Unparalleled in originality and quaintness. Deafening silence at night. We had a short hike around the village and marvelled of the views. The Gassho Nakaya is one of the most beautiful buildings in the village. Parking for the car at the house. A relaxed atmosphere. A hot tub and toilets that were very clean and actually quite modern if you consider where you are. The room was in fact two places en suite, more than large enough to fit the four of us and our luggage. While we are not used of sleeping on tatami and futon, we actually slept very well. The diner was awesome. A unique experience with sashimi carp and vegetables from the surrounding woods, greens I have never eaten. Breakfast was equally fantastic. In all we had a wonderful stay. The lady of the house does not speak English (and we have no Japanese) so the communication was close to non existent. I saw the lady speak very amiably with a couple of guests (the house sleeps six I think), so I don’t doubt she is friendly.

• Privileged Experience

  Month of Visit: May

  Country Of Reviewer:

  Atmosphere Rating - 5

  Food Rating - 5

  Staff Rating - 4

  Location Rating - 5

  Room Rating - 5

  We spent some hours of sightseeing at Shirakawa-go and had lunch before heading to stay at Ainokura, away from crowds. A quiet village and a 10min climb up the slope to see a 400yr old tree was interesting. Accomodation was clean and roomy. Smoking is allowed near the entrance. The highlight of our dinner was carp sashimi(which was awsome) and grilled fish. We ate to our fill and was engaged in a delightful conversation with another guest till we past the curfew time of 10pm. It was dead quiet then and we had to speak in whisper and tiptoed to bathe. All amenities provided. I didn't see any hair-dryer though. Ladies, bring a desk mirror if you need to do your make-up in the privacy of your room. Bathroom, toilet and wash-basin are all separate and shared. Futon was very comfortable and room well heated. Host/Hostess kept to themselves and didn't converse even though we were Japanese speaking. Overall, it was a great experience and I would say 1 night stay is good enough. We left early next morning after breakfast to re-visit our favourite place for lunch at Shirakawa-go.

• Full of Ryokan experience!

  Nattapong

  Date of Review: February, 2018

  Month of Visit: February

  Country Of Reviewer: Thailand

  Atmosphere Rating - 5

  Food Rating - 5

  Staff Rating - 5

  Location Rating - 5

  Room Rating - 5

  My initial plan is to stay in Shirakawago but it fully booked. The website staff is send me the alternative in Ainokura. Nakaya is located in small and peaceful village Ainokura. Ryokan staff is very kind. My room was very large and comfortable. This is the one of my memorable place. If my friend consider booking Ryokan, I will recommend this place.

• First farmhouse stay experience

  Justine

  Month of Visit: February

  Country Of Reviewer: Philippines

  Atmosphere Rating - 5

  Food Rating - 5

  Staff Rating - 5

  Location Rating - 5

  Room Rating - 5

  I stayed here on a very cold winter day. We initially thought there was no one here when we were about to check in but we were still welcomed almost immediately. The owners were very kind and tended to our needs properly. The language barrier was there but the communication went fine still. The dining area is a good place for tenants to socialize and watch TV, and even if it's very cold outside, the rooms were pretty comfortable (they provide futons and yukatas to keep us warm along with a heater in the room). The room layouts were very traditional-looking so it made the experience more authentic other than the area and the fact that we're in a japanese gassho-zukuri house. Food was awesome too since it's my first time to eat mountain veggies, and I was unaware everything will taste so good. There's no meat in the menu since the main dish seems to be tha grilled Ayu but it really doesn't matter since it tasted very good as well.

• Ainokura is a lovely place

  Xuelin

  Date of Review: January, 2018

  Month of Visit: January

  Country Of Reviewer:

  Atmosphere Rating - 5

  Food Rating - 4

  Staff Rating - 4

  Location Rating - 4

  Room Rating - 5

  I guess similar to many others, the initial plan was to stay at Shirakawago but it was just too packed to book a place to stay. Was introduced and recommended to go to Ainokura and although I did not even step into Shirakawago, Ainokura was a beautiful experience. The stay at Nakaya was pleasant, the room was spacious. Just a note that the walls are thin and so staying beside a family with young child makes it a little inconvenient if you're staying up talking at night. We had an early morning bus to catch and breakfast was scheduled around our timing and the owner sent us to the bus stop so that we didn't had to walk in the cold. One feedback that I would add is that I felt a little distant from the Ryokan owners and wished that we got more chances to talk and learn about their life staying in Ainokura.

• Lovely Experience, great food!

  Thomas

  Date of Review: August, 2017

  Month of Visit: August

  Country Of Reviewer: USA

  Atmosphere Rating - 5

  Food Rating - 5

  Staff Rating - 5

  Location Rating - 5

  Room Rating - 5

  We had a lovely visit in Ainokura. Like others, we had initially planned to got Shirakawago but it was full. It turned out to be a blessing as we loved Ainokura and, in particular, the Nakaya ryokan. Beautiful 400 year old home (oldest in the village we were told). Our room was lovely, large, and comfortable. We had a really fantastic meal cooked by the hostess, including fresh fish roasted on spits in the central hearth. The village and surrounding countryside is beautiful. People very friendly and helpful. Very nice small cultural museums. It's a short hike from the bus top on the main road to the village and ryokan. Might be a problem for older or disabled travelers but we're older and had no problem on a hot day. We would love to stay here again. Highest recommendation.

• It was a Magical Experience

  Brain konasara

  Date of Review: March, 2017

  Month of Visit: March

  Country Of Reviewer: Indonesia

  Atmosphere Rating - 5

  Food Rating - 5

  Staff Rating - 5

  Location Rating - 5

  Room Rating - 5

  We actually planned to stay in Shirakawago, but the Ryokans there are full-booked. Though in a way, we're feeling really lucky to have stumbled upon this lovely small village, Ainokura. The village might not be as big, and has as many Gasso-Zukuri houses, but the 16 hours I was in that village must have been the the most memorable things that have had happened to me. I really consider it to be my best day ever. The snow was still pretty high when we arrived in the village. There was not so many people, so it feels like my wife and I was the only ones strolling around the village. We play with snow like children(note that we don't have snow in our country), throwing snowballs, lay around on the snow, and playing sled, which are very cheap to rent(100 yen). The sled track is also way more fun than the one in Gala Yuzawa. We only enter one museum, but it was a transcendent experience for me. The guide is really passionate in explaining her culture, even with her limited english. She taught us to play with the instrument that is used during some rituals, and we even dance together! Lastly, the hospitality of Nakaya's host is top notch. When we arrived, we're given a delicious green tea and cookies. She's helpful in showing us what to do in the village, while we wait for dinner. The dinner also gives us a glimpse on what have the local Ainokurans have been eating for dinner. And since we needed to catch a morning bus, she even offered to take us to the bus station with her car. It's only 16 hours that I was in that village, but I'll surely remember it for the rest of my life. Hope I'll be visiting it again.