Falling Asleep to the Soothing Sound of Water - Miharaya in Gujo Hachiman

Transportation: About a 3-minute walk from the "Gujo Hachiman Jokamachi" bus stop Miharaya is one of the best-located inns in Gujo, in my opinion. When you open the window of your room, you can see the Yoshida River. Just by keeping the window open, you can hear the soothing sound of flowing water, which feels incredibly refreshing. The river view outside is also very seasonal, and you can even see the old Gujo Hachiman government office building in the distance. At night, when the lights are on, it looks stunning. Miharaya is conveniently close to the "Gujo Hachiman Jokamachi" bus stop and other attractions in the city center of Gujo. Most places are within a 10-minute walk. There are a few restaurants within a 5-minute walk, and if you cross the river and go a bit further, there are even more dining options to choose from. The rooms in the inn feature traditional Japanese tatami mats, and in winter, they even have a kotatsu (heated table)! It's something I've only seen in manga and anime, as business hotels in the city usually don't have them. (Though I later found the kotatsu a bit too warm, so I had to turn it on and off intermittently.) The Japanese-style breakfast provided by the inn is very hearty. I stayed for two consecutive days on two occasions, and the dishes were almost entirely different each day, and they were delicious. Miharaya seems to be run by a family. The owner(s) don't speak much English, but they make a great effort to communicate with guests and try their best to accommodate their needs (like lending umbrellas, cutting fruit, providing ice water/hot water, or even giving rides to the train station). Since it's a traditional Japanese inn, the rooms don't have private bathrooms. Guests need to use the large communal bath on the basement floor. Perhaps because I visited on weekdays, I had the large bath, which is bigger than a double bed, all to myself for all four nights. I highly recommend this place to travelers who want to take their time, enjoy the sound of water, and relax. While the facilities at Miharaya aren't particularly luxurious, the location is excellent, and the inn has a warm and simple atmosphere. I've been there twice, staying two nights each time, and found it incredibly healing. The only downside is that there's no elevator, so you'll need to use the stairs. Those with mobility issues might want to consider this (or request a room on a lower floor from the inn). (Note: I visited during both summer and winter, so the seasons in the photos may look quite different.)