Shirakawa-Go INN

Very cosy guesthouse. Dining area, toilets and showers are on the first floor. Rooms are on the second. Was assigned a room with mountain view. Very whimsical and misty in the morning. Showers and toilets are VERY CLEAN. Didn't have to wait to use them as the guesthouse wasn't full. Host (Ari) is very friendly and hospitable - can speak and understand basic English. Offers his personal van shuttle service to Shirakawa-go bus terminal at 830am. Need to inform him the evening before. He also offers a pickup from bus terminal back to guest house at 5pm but didn't use it as I walk back from the village area (a proper 20-25 mins walk before sun sets. Location is quite far if you don't like walking. There's a convenience store (Yamazaki) midway between the bus terminal and the guesthouse. You can get your dinner/breakfast here if needed. Overall it was a pleasant experience staying there. Room is basic – 2 single beds, a small table for TV and some small space to put my backpack. Will be very tight if 2 people stays in this room or if they bring 2 big luggages. Free coffee in the morning and hot water top ups! They provide a face towel but a bigger bath towel is available to rent at 200 yen during your stay. Personally I feel they should just include the bath towel in the cost. I assume not many travellers will bring along their bath towels and people need to shower at least once a day right. The bath towel does smell very fresh though! If you arrive at Shirakawa-go bus terminal early in the morning, just store your luggages at the bus terminal lockers for 500 to 1000 yen. If lockers are full, there's another luggage storage hut located diagonally across the bus terminal (1 min walk away). After you are freed of your heavy bags, explore the village and/or go to nearby Ainokura and be back at the bus terminal for your luggages by 3.30pm, then you can start walking to the guesthouse (check-in at 4pm). Of course, you can check in later but the luggage hut and lockers are cleared by 5pm.