Shimizu Inn (Minshuku Shimizu) is a small guesthouse in Ogimachi, the gassho-zukuri village of Shirakawa-go, Gifu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It describes itself as a traditional inn in a gassho-style farmhouse about 200 years old, and it is run by Shimizu Inc. Before you book, three things matter: the stay comes with a home-style dinner and breakfast around the irori hearth; there are two shower rooms and no bathtub; and the inn has firm times, with check-in by 18:00 and a 22:00 curfew.
Shimizu Inn at a glance
| Item | Official information |
|---|---|
| Address | 2613 Ogimachi, Shirakawa-mura, Ono-gun, Gifu |
| Type | Minshuku (guesthouse) in a gassho-style farmhouse |
| Rooms | Japanese-style tatami rooms, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi |
| Bathing | Two shower rooms, no bathtub; shared Western-style toilets with bidet |
| Meals | Dinner and breakfast included, in the main room around the irori |
| Price | From 18,700 yen per person, two meals, tax included (July to October 2026) |
| Check-in / out | 15:00–18:00 / by 9:00 |
| Curfew | 22:00 |
| Parking | 5 cars on site |
| Phone | +81 80-3049-0047 (9:00–20:00 Japan time) |
Arrival times and house rules at Shimizu Inn
The booking page spells out the house schedule clearly. The times below are the ones to plan your travel day around.
| Time | What happens |
|---|---|
| From 9:00 | Luggage can be left before check-in |
| 15:00–18:00 | Check-in window |
| After 19:30 | Dinner can no longer be served (no refund) |
| After 21:00 | Arrival means the stay is canceled (no refund) |
| 22:00 | Curfew if you go out at night |
| By 9:00 | Checkout; luggage can be left until 15:00 |
What if my bus or train is late?
Call the inn as soon as you can on +81 80-3049-0047, which is staffed from 9:00 to 20:00 Japan time. The booking page is strict: after 19:30 there is no dinner and after 21:00 the stay is canceled, with no refund in either case. Our late arrival guide explains how to tell a Japanese inn you are running behind.
Is winter travel a problem?
It can be. The official site carries an important note that heavy snowfall is expected in winter and asks guests to check the weather and local transport before arriving. Leave extra time from December to March.
Can I book on the day?
The booking page accepts reservations until 14:00 on the day of the stay.
Dinner and breakfast at Shimizu Inn
What is dinner like?
Meals are served in the main room, at tables set around the irori, the traditional sunken hearth. The inn serves home-style cooking with plenty of vegetables, using its own homegrown vegetables in summer, and the site notes that the menu changes with the season. The tourism association’s listing adds that many guests come from overseas, so dinner often turns into a lively conversation around the hearth.
Can the inn handle allergies or a special diet?
The official site asks guests to tell the inn about allergies or dietary needs in advance. It does not say which diets it can cater for, so write to the inn before you book if you are vegetarian or have a serious allergy.
Showers, toilets and the village hot springs
Is there a bath at the inn?
Shimizu Inn has two shower rooms and no bathtub. Towels, a bath towel, yukata, a hanten jacket, a hair dryer, shampoo, conditioner and body soap are provided. Toilets are shared and Western-style, with a bidet seat.
Where can I soak in an onsen?
The booking page notes that there are hot-spring facilities in the village. The inn does not name them or give their rules, so check those directly. If you have a tattoo, our tattoo and onsen guide explains what to ask before you go.
Prices, children, cancellation and payment at Shimizu Inn
How much does a stay cost?
On the official booking page, rates with dinner and breakfast, tax included, per person for two sharing a room, start at 18,700 yen from July to October 2026, 19,800 yen from November to December, and 20,900 yen from January to March 2027. Prices change by date, so check the calendar for yours.
What do children cost?
Elementary school children are 15,950 yen and count toward the room’s number of guests. The official pages do not give a rate for younger children; ask the inn.
What is the cancellation policy?
The booking page lists 20 percent from 15 to 8 days before the stay, 50 percent from 7 days to the day before, and 100 percent on the day or for a no-show. Our hotel cancellation guide explains how these fees work in Japan.
How do I pay?
The official pages do not state how payment is taken. Ask the inn when you book.
Getting to Shimizu Inn in Ogimachi (Shirakawago)
The inn is about a 10-minute walk from the center of the gassho village, in a quieter spot.
- By highway bus: about 15 minutes on foot from the Shirakawa-go bus terminal.
- By car: about 10 minutes from Shirakawa-go IC on the Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway. There is parking for 5 cars on site.
- Pickup: the official pages do not mention one.
What foreign guests should know before staying at Shimizu Inn
- The official website is in English, and the booking page has an English version with plans, prices and the cancellation rules.
- Plan your day so you reach the village by 18:00; late buses in snow can cost you dinner or the night.
- Pack for showers only; for a soak, use the village hot springs.
- Toilets are shared, and if you go out at night, the curfew is 22:00.
- Tell the inn about allergies before you arrive, not at dinner.
- For questions, the official site has a contact form and lists the email shimizuinnjp@yahoo.co.jp.
Frequently asked questions
What time is check-in at Shimizu Inn?
Does Shimizu Inn have a bath or onsen?
What is the cancellation policy at Shimizu Inn?
How much does a stay at Shimizu Inn cost?
How do I get to Shimizu Inn?
Bottom line (2026): Shimizu Inn is a small gassho-style minshuku in Ogimachi, Shirakawa-go, with a home-style dinner around the irori, two showers and no bathtub. Book from 18,700 yen per person with two meals, arrive by 18:00, and use the official booking page.
Sources
Every fact on this page is from Shimizu Inn’s official pages: the official website, its Shirakawa-go Tourist Association listing in Japanese and English, and the official booking page in English and Japanese. All were read on October 16, 2026. Prices and rules change; check the official site before you book.
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