Gora Kadan

We had 2 rooms for us - enjoyed the night in Gora Kadan Onsen (Spa) on the way from Kyoto to Tokyo. We had full board = dinner + breakfast and, while not at all low cost, it was one of the most memorable stays one can have with great food and very traditional Japan onsen atmosphere

The hotel is tired. There was no early check in and really nothing much to do at the hotel while we waited for our room. The rooms are nice in size and very clean and service was amazing. Food was ok and there was just a smell like wet cat food that we couldn’t shake. It was our last stop in a 14 day journey and we were hoping for more with the price tag is all.

There’s no doubt this is an excellent hotel. But the question is whether it’s excellent enough to justify its price. Not quite was our conclusion. Service was absolutely sensational and the overall feel of the hotel is absolutely wonderful as an authentic Ryokan experience. But there is just a bit of wear and tear in the rooms and the onsen area isn’t all that impressive for a hotel of this caliber. Little things like a broken espresso machine (meaning none available in the hotel)

We were gifted a night at Gora Kadan for our honeymoon, and it was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. From the breathtaking views and serene traditional gardens to the soothing onsen and stone baths, every detail felt magical. Delicious food and the hospitality was unforgettable—the staff came out to wave goodbye as we drove away, and I actually shed a tear leaving such a special place. While the property could use a light refresh, its timeless charm and deep sense of tradition made it one of the most memorable experiences of my life. If I ever return to Japan, I will absolutely make it a point to stay here again.

Staff was friendly, polite, responsive, helpful and facility was clean with many relaxing facilities. Onsens were beautiful and in the nature. Food was excellent I would recommend this place to anyone wanting to experience something different, unique and peaceful. I will come back

The service is next-level. The food is fantastic. The facilities are superb. The vibes are immaculate. This being a 5-star review is a disservice, it deserves 7 stars. Truly amazing.

Amazing staff, environment, facilities.

Very surprised that there were areas that were not clean - nor appeared as though any attention had been paid to in a long time. The setting was beautiful and the lobby magnificent. Correspondence was excellent. Spa services extremely disappointing. Menu wasn't great.

Great spot. Need to do at least two nights

Lovely staff and wonderfully calming property. Appreciate that it retained it's historical charm and interesting to see the Japanese and western/colonial influence. Private transportation was also provided for any short treks. Very thoughtful.

We had an exceptional stay at Gora Kadan, our host Akiko was very detail and helpful. Thank you so much for the great service and stay.

Just perfect. The entire experience of staying at this traditional Japanese ryokan was just amazing. The gorgeous multi-course kaiseki meals served in your room were stunning and delicious. Japanese hospitality is second to none. The grounds are lush and the amenities clean and peaceful. We had an onsen in our room which was so relaxing. Pricy but life is about experiences, and this one was divine.

Great place but it comes at even greater cost

Best hotel in our honeymoon! The staff was amazing and as an architect i love the hotel! We will be back for sure! 6 stars experience!

lovely staff and premises. food was great

The hotel is beautiful and the staff were lovely. We really enjoyed our stay and highly recommend.

Excelente todo el hotel muy recomendable

A great place to escape to and enjoy some luxury and relaxation in the mountains. The staff is very friendly and attentive. The Kaiseki dining was outstanding. Definitely a place to return to.

Let me start by saying that the service and staff were impeccable, and the food was traditional and delicious. But the other parts of our stay did not feel luxurious or comfortable. We stayed in a standard Japanese room A with tatami beds. The room had a funky musty odor and overheated at night. We finally had to cool it down by opening the door, but only to hear trains go by. The room had an air purifier in it which should’ve been a signal of the sewage like smell which may have been emanating from the drain pipe outside or the bathroom. Eventually, I used earplugs and sprayed perfume around me to be able to sleep. The pillows are bulky and hard which may be traditional and unfortunately I didn’t think to ask if they had a different type of pillow till late at night. The room does not have much of an outdoor space, and no view of Japanese gardens as I had imagined might be. Other room types may have nicer backyard and outdoor tub, but definitely not this one. In fact, the entire property does not have a garden to walk around or much of an outdoor space to lounge in. Private onsen has to be booked in advance as well as the dated looking swimming pool. Our meals were in banquet hall looking space that also lacked charm (maybe they put us there because we had kids with us). Overall, our stay did not meet expectations at the price point we paid and unfortunately I will not be recommending this stay.

The property is designed with a lot of thought. However the room we stayed was very dated with paint peeling off and damaged furniture. Not sure I would stay here again.