Hida Takayama Hodakaso Yamano Iori

We loved this traditional Japanese accommodation close to Takayama train station and all of Takayama's sightseeing spots. The traditional tatami room we had was spacious, clean and quiet. The beds were very comfortable. The onsen facilities were wonderful too. The staff were extremely gracious and polite.

Very spacious room with traditional decor, nice entrance area and outside area near main door. Very well situated in the centre and near train and bus station. Very nice and welcoming staff. There were complimentary snacks, tea, soup provided in the room. They write your name in a board outside upon your arrival and you leave your shoes on a shoe rack in the entrance area where you change into slippers.

Really inexpensive considering the size of the room and location to major attractions. Sure, there are hotels that are closer but I enjoyed being away from all the tourists. Room smelled kind of funky and had what looked like water damage which worried me a bit; you sort of got used to the smell. Beds were amazingly comfortable and the Japanese style bath was a nice bonus. I’m happy they had an AC because the room got seriously stuffy after having been out all day. Staff was really personable and knew my name and had written in down before my arrival. Nice touch!

Facilities - A beautiful old building, the outside is charming and has a picturesque entrance. The layout is convenient and it is clean and well maintained. Rooms - the room we stayed in had a tatami floors but western style beds raised off the floor (only by a few centimetres). It had a small tv which only had local tv on it. The room is beautiful, with paper window shutters and sliding paper doors. There was a toilet inside and a basin in the entrance. Bath - the highlight. The bath is clean, and is perfect to come back to after a day of sightseeing. Staff - didn’t have much interaction, but the receptionists were extremely polite, as is standard for hotels in Japan, and the older gentlemen who showed us to the rooms was extremely helpful and polite. He brought our suitcases up in the service lift so we didn’t have to lug them up the stairs. Location - perfect, barely a 5 minute walk from the station, and another 5 minutes to the historic streets. Plenty of restaurants and shopping around.

We arrived in a stormy day after Typhoon Kong-rey and the old lady took an umbrella and showed us where to park our car for free! Thereafter she even carried one of our luggage up a flight of stairs to our room! Wow! What hospitality! The ryokan is old but very well maintained. We have ample space to house 3 adults and the bathroom was kept very clean. It is also situated very close to Miyagawa morning market (a 5 minute stroll). The main shopping area is a 10 minute stroll and a good selection of Hida beef outlets. We will return to this ryokan if we travel to Takayama again!