10 Best Hotels and Ryokans in Takayama | Relax in the Mountains of Gifu

Photo courtesy of Hidatei Hanaougi

Takayama is a town in Gifu Prefecture, a mountainous region in central Japan. Takayama is famed for its festival which is celebrated in spring and fall. The event is held twice a year, and parades feature many floats, puppet shows, and various other attractions for all to enjoy.

Because Takayama is a mountainous and natural region, visit if you want to get some fresh air or go on a hike. The main historical street of Takayama is preserved well and is the perfect place to check out if you want to get a look into the past and see traditional old Japan.

Let’s get started!

Table of Contents

1. Hidatei Hanaougi (飛騨亭 花扇)
2. Yatsusankan (八ッ三館)
3. Takayama Green Hotel (高山グリーンホテル)
4. Takayama Ouan (高山桜庵)
5. Miyama Ouan (深山桜庵)
6. Oyado Yamakyu (お宿山久)
7. Wat Hotel & Spa Hida Takayama (ワットホテル＆スパ 飛騨高山)
8. Mozumo (もずも)
9. Hoshokaku (宝生閣)
10. Okada Ryokan (岡田旅館 和楽亭)
11. Conclusion

Hidatei Hanaougi (飛騨亭 花扇)

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0:00 – We are headed to Hidatei Hanaougi. This is the free bus from Takayama Station. You could also hop in a taxi and take a 10-minute ride to Hanaougi! Hanaougi is a traditional Japanese Ryokan

0:40 – The floor inside the lobby is tatami mats! There are paper screens and many other elements that will make you feel like you’re in old Japan. After you arrive, drink some matcha and relax with a Japanese snack.

1:15 – Here is what you can expect if you book a room at Hanaougi! Tatami mats, floor seating, paper sliding doors, and futons.

1:45 – The private onsen is one of the best parts of the room. Hanaougi has rooms that come with private outdoor onsen attached. Relaxing without having to worry about anyone else. The water is said to make your skin silky smooth.

4:00 – If you’d like, eat dinner in a private room. The ingredients are fresh, in-season, and are all local to Takayama! This is just an example of what you can expect, but in reality, the menu is changing often with the season and what the professional chefs judge as the highest quality. This yakiniku looks high-quality!

8:05 – This video ends with a view from the private onsen at night. Hop in before sleeping and go to bed more relaxed than ever. Check out Hidatei Hanaougi if this experience interests you.

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Yatsusankan (八ッ三館)

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0:00 – Yatsusankan is 20 minutes by train or 30 minutes by car from Takayama Station. The ryokan is surrounded by nature and sits next to the Araki River. If you want to enjoy the fresh air and explore the Japanese countryside, Yatsusankan is a great choice.

1:15 – The outside view of Yatsusankan is reminiscent of the past. It almost feels like you’re going back in time!

1:55 – After you check in, enjoy some matcha and Japanese snacks local to the region.

2:15 – Here is one of the rooms! Unlike most Japanese rooms, this room at Yatsusankan is split up into multiple sections. The main room is where you’ll be served dinner and sleep, as it’s the biggest. Listen to the sounds of the river while relaxing in a reclining chair.

4:35 – If the chair in your room doesn’t suit your fancy, use one of the massage chairs in the lobby. There are plenty of facilities to enjoy here.

5:00 – Next up is an introduction to the onsen bath. There are two baths, and one of them is open directly to the outside. Relieve stress and rejuvenate your skin after a long journey. They sometimes put roses, apples, and other fruits in the onsen which give it a nice aroma!

5:35 – Now, it’s time for dinner. This is a private room, where you can enjoy Gifu specialties like beef, miso, ramen, and other fresh vegetables. The video also shows breakfast which was a classic Japanese style.

7:00 – If you decide to go to Takayama, there are plenty of sights like this that you can enjoy to your heart’s content! Check out Yatsusankan if you want to stay in the countryside.

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Takayama Green Hotel (高山グリーンホテル)

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0:00 – This is the Takayama Green Hotel. If you have heavy luggage, there is a free shuttle bus from Takayama Station. The Hotel is very close to the station, so if you prefer take a quick 6-minute walk. You can also take a taxi and arrive in no time.

0:20 – After checking in a dropping off your luggage, enjoy the parfait of the month, the cocktail of the day, ice cream, cake, afternoon tea set, or choose from a wide variety of different snacks while relaxing in the lobby.

0:30 – The onsen at Takayama Green Hotel are large for a hotel near the center of the city. The outdoor onsen are peaceful, so you can get rid of all of your fatigue as you get ready to explore Takayama.

0:45 – The meals at Takayama are fresh and delicious. Ingredients are masterfully prepared by the head chefs so that you can enjoy high-quality kaiseki. Fresh Japanese wagyu that pairs perfectly with vegetables that are grown locally. You can really enjoy a unique and special meal when dining at the restaurant at Takayama Green Hotel.

2:05 – Takayama Green Hotel is located very close to Takayama Station. If you came to Takayama to explore and check out the historic attractions, this might be a good choice. You can enjoy everything Takayama has to offer at Takayama Green Hotel.

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Takayama Ouan (高山桜庵)

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0:00 – Takayama Ouan is only a quick 5-minute walk away from Takayama Station. If you’re looking for a modern Japanese-style ryokan in the heart of Takayama, look no further.

0:55 – What’s your first impression of the inside? Old buildings in Takayama all have distinct old feelings even after being remodeled. They don’t lose their charm!

1:50 – Let’s take a look at one of the rooms at Takayama Ouan. This one-person room has a double bed for ultimate comfort! Even though the hotel is Japanese-style, you can still enjoy a bed and tatami mats. When you’re done with your bath, wear the yukata in your room to get the full Japanese experience.

5:30 – Head up to the top floor to see Takayama in its entirety. Here you can enjoy the roof lounge and a peaceful atmosphere with plenty of reading. On this floor are the private rental onsen. If you want to enjoy a private onsen with your family or loved ones, you can at Takayama Ouan. The private onsen featured in this video are made of red brick and large stones. They have the best views of Takayama! Grab a popsicle when you’re finished with the onsen.

8:30 – This video showcases the business plan (without dinner). There are various services that you can receive like beer and snacks.

10:05 – Time for breakfast! It’s a buffet style with various different Japanese foods. At the time of year this video was taken (winter) it seems like there are a lot of beef dishes. The ingredients and recipes are local to Takayama and change with what ingredients are fresh and in-season, there are also staples like salads, bread, and desserts.

12:50 – You can’t leave Takayama without picking up some souvenirs! If there were any foods that you didn’t get to try before leaving, you can grab them at the gift shop. Takayama Ouan is close to the station, so the access to famous and popular places around Takayama is great! Check out Takayama Ouan below.

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Miyama Ouan (深山桜庵)

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0:00 – Miyama Ouan is a distance away from Takayama Station, located about an hour away by bus and car. If you wanted to explore the old town and the Takayama Station area, it will be difficult. Miyama Ouan is located high in the mountains near the Hirayu Onsen source.

1:30 – Here we are at Miyama Ouan! It’s a Japanese ryokan where you can fully relax with abundant Japanese nature and mountains. After a long journey, sit in front of the hearth and enjoy a cup of tea with some snacks to wind down.

2:40 – The rooms at Miyama Ouan are luxurious and large. Be sure to book a room with a private onsen to fully enjoy your own personal time or special time with your loved one. The view of the Takayama wilderness will calm your anxieties. The other amenities in the room will help you relax as much as you can.

5:00 – Look at this onsen! Relax on your own time, away from the eyes in the public onsen. This water is rejuvenating and will rid you of your fatigue.

5:25 – Grab free milk or coffee milk after your bath. The milk is local to the area, and is sure to be refreshing and cold after a hot onsen!

6:55 – This is a look at the private rental onsen. It’s larger than the ones in the rooms but smaller than the large public onsen. You’ll have to reserve your spot on the day when you check-in. If you booked a room without a private onsen, this is the perfect way to enjoy a bath with your family or loved ones.

8:20 – Let’s check out the restaurant. Today’s menu consists of delicious wagyu, fresh seafood, vegetables, noodles, dessert, and much more! After dinner, when you’re ready for a late-night snack, grab a bowl of Takayama ramen.

11:05 – This is another private rental onsen! They are free to use, so grab the key at the front desk. At night, the private rental onsen are relaxing and calm, but they are magical in the morning when you can take in all of the nature of Takayama! If you’re interested in this special experience in Takayama, check out Miyama Ouan.

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Oyado Yamakyu (お宿山久)

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0:00 – Oyado Yamakyu is a traditional Japanese ryokan located in the heart of Takayama. Take a 10-minute walk or a 7-minute taxi ride from Takayama station. You could arrive at Takayama Station before your check-in, and then spend the morning exploring the old city!

2:45 – Here we are at Yamakyu. Just from the outside, you can appreciate the traditional Japanese design. Take your shoes off and change into slippers at the entrance. Artifacts from the past 200 years are displayed in cases in the hallways.

4:50 – The room has traditional Japanese sliding doors, along with tatami mats and futons. Sleeping on tatami mats has been normal in Japan for over 1000 years! Yamakyu provides thick and comfortable futons so you can get a great night’s rest! There are also a few snacks provided in your room.

7:50 – Cameras aren’t allowed in onsen, but you can see it for a few seconds in this video! Even though there are only a few rooms at Yamakyu, there is an indoor and an outdoor bath in each area. The water isn’t from an onsen source, but it is mixed with a special mix of minerals that are said to warm up your core.

8:00 – For dinner, you can expect an array of local dishes from Takayama. Pickles, beef, tempura, and much more!

11:45 – Breakfast is similar to dinner, with a wide range of breakfast foods. Note that Japanese breakfast tends to have less sweet foods. Expect foods like fish, rice, eggs, beef, and tofu. If you want to travel in time back to the Meiji and Taisho era of Japan, consider staying at Oyado Yamakyu on your trip to Takayama.

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Wat Hotel & Spa Hida Takayama (ワットホテル＆スパ 飛騨高山)

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0:00 – Wat Hotel & Spa is located just a 7-minute walk from Takayama Station. Wat Hotel is a Western-style hotel and spa in Takayama. If you don’t like tatami mats or sleeping on the floor, we recommend booking your stay at Wat Hotel.

1:05 – The outside view of Wat Hotel looks luxurious at night. Pick up a service cup of tea before heading up to your room, or enjoy it in the lounge!

2:25 – This room is only for one person, so it may seem a little small. If you are traveling solo, they have plenty of rooms for you! If you are traveling with your family or a group of friends don’t worry, as they have rooms that sleep up to 4 people, as well as large suites. The rooms come with all of the classic amenities that you can expect at hotels, plus more!

6:25 – At Wat Hotel, there is actually 4 private rental onsen. You can relax and enjoy yourself on your own time in the onsen, or spend it with family or a loved one. In classic Japanese fashion, they provide raised tatami mats outside the large public onsen. If you have never tried sitting on one before, you can try it here! See if you find it comfortable.

7:25 – After a good sleep, head to the second floor for the breakfast buffet. Try a variety of different foods, including special Takayama ramen! If you want to stay close to Takayama and the historical streets while having the ability to use an onsen, consider Wat Hotel & Spa Hida Takayama.

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Mozumo (もずも)

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0:00 – Mozumo is a small luxury onsen and ryokan located in Hirayu Onsen, about an hour outside of Takayama by car or bus. Visit in the winter to enjoy the beautiful sights of snow-capped forests. Call ahead to reserve a bus from Hirayu Bus Terminal. Take a seat in the lobby and enjoy the peaceful forest, maybe you’ll spot a wild animal!

1:40 – Up first is the room. Check out the tatami floor and beautiful views. The balcony will blur the lines between your room and nature. The beds are large and are sure to leave you well rested after a long journey. Open up the sliding doors and wake up to the beautiful sights of nature.

2:45 – This onsen attached to the room has the perfect view of nature. Secluded away from everything, relax and rejuvenate while listening to the calming sounds of nature. There are also some skincare amenities for those who are interested.

4:10 – Enjoy dinner in a private room. The ingredients are high-quality, fresh, and local. Some of these flavors are only in Takayama. Look at that plate of Takayama wagyu beef! If this luxury experience interests you, book a night or two at Mozumo!

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Hoshokaku (宝生閣)

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0:00 – Welcome to Hoshokaku, a luxury ryokan in Takayama. It’s located 5-minutes by car or 15-minutes by foot from Takayama Station. Because of its location near all of the best sightseeing spots in Takayama, we recommend Hoshokaku to those who are planning to explore the historic streets of Takayama!

0:15 – Let’s get into it by checking out the room. The doors are traditional Japanese sliding doors. There are plenty of amenities to make your stay as comfortable as possible.

0:55 – Next is the open-air private onsen! This room has a private onsen attached. The view of the traditional town is amazing. The best part of the private onsen attached to your room is that you can enjoy the warm waters at your own pace and whenever you feel like it. Relaxing here will take wash away your stresses!

1:25 – Dinner is an amazing spread of various dishes from all around Takayama. In the winter, you can expect something similar to the video, a hot pot with a wide variety of delicious and fresh ingredients. Expect the menu to be constantly changing with the seasons and with what is fresh. A5 quality Takayama wagyu is a common ingredient for dinner.

3:00 – The portions for breakfast are similar to dinner. You’ll get a hearty and filling Japanese-style breakfast with special dishes local to Takayama.

3:30 – Hoshokaku is near many sightseeing spots in Takayama. If you want to stay at a luxury ryokan in the heart of Takayama, book a night at Hoshokaku.

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Okada Ryokan (岡田旅館)

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0:00 – Okada Ryokan is located about an hour by car from Takayama Station, in the Hirayu Onsen area. Enjoy a classic Japanese ryokan experience and much more at Okada. The ryokan is so large, that they split it into two sections. There is the main ‘honkan’ and the additional ‘warakutei’ section of the ryokan.

3:00 – Here is one of the rooms in the warakutei area of the ryokan. Notice the traditional Japanese elements like tatami and a heated table with a blanket underneath the tabletop. This is one of the best ways to heat up in the winter! There are also drinks and snacks for you to enjoy after checking in.

3:50 – Enjoy the rejuvenating onsen waters at your own pace in your private onsen attached to your room. The water is straight from the source. This room actually has 2 baths, one indoors and one outdoors. If you book this room, you’ll have to hop in both baths to get the full experience.

4:45 – Let’s head to the large public onsen! Don’t forget to take off your shoes before stepping on the tatami mats. There are plenty of indoor and outdoor onsen for you to enjoy here! The various outdoor onsen each are made of different materials or kept at different temperatures. Find out which one makes you feel the most relaxed!

7:30 – For dinner, have Japanese kaiseki in front of the hearth. Enjoy an assortment of different foods from all around Takayama, of course including famous Takayama beef. Breakfast is also kaiseki, and is overflowing with high-quality ingredients. If this experience interested you, check out Okada Ryokan below.

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Conclusion

Do you want to visit the historic town of Hida-Takayama? If so, we hope this collection of videos helped you decide where you want to stay when you take your trip.

Watch these videos, and then you’ll know what to expect when you book your room. Whether you want to explore the traditional streets or relax in an onsen, we hope you have a good time in the traditional town of Takayama!

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