Hida Takayama, or also referred to as just Takayama, is a charming historical town located in Gifu prefecture in Japan. Situated in a valley in a rural and mountainous area, Hida Takayama feels worlds away from the bustling big cities that Japan is known for. The town is known for its historic Edo district, local delicacies like Hida beef and mountain-grown wasabi, and its beautiful natural scenery.
One of the most authentic ways to immerse yourself in Japanese culture at Hida Takayama is by staying in a ryokan, or a traditional Japanese inn. Ryokan in Hida Takayama offer not just accommodation, but a full cultural experience, complete with tatami-matted rooms, futon bedding, and exquisite kaiseki meals made from local ingredients.
Staying in a ryokan in Hida Takayama allows you to experience the warmth of Japanese hospitality while immersing in the historical ambiance of the region.
What is it like to stay in a traditional Japanese ryokan in Hida Takayama? The Takayama ryokan experience includes a number of different elements:
Traditional Architecture: Ryokan feature classic Japanese design elements such as tatami-matted rooms, sliding shoji doors, and wooden and minimalist structures. The ryokan buildings often have a long history.
Personalized Hospitality: Guests experience omotenashi, or Japanese whole-hearted hospitality, both from the staff and through complimentary teas and treats during your stay.
Kaiseki Dining: Ryokan typically offer kaiseki, a traditional Japanese multi-course meal, for both breakfast and dinner, that emphasizes seasonal ingredients.
Onsen Baths: Many ryokan in Hida Takayama have onsen (natural hot spring) baths, where guests can relax in mineral-rich waters.
Yukata: Guests are provided with yukata, a casual cotton kimono, to wear during their stay.
Futons and Floor Seating: Ryokan rooms typically feature futons laid out on tatami mats, and low tables with floor seating.
Peaceful Setting: Ryokan are usually located in serene environments, offering a tranquil retreat.
Let’s get started on this list of amazing Takayama ryokan!
1. Sumiyoshi Ryokan
Sumiyoshi Ryokan in Hida Takayama is a centrally located ryokan that was built during the Taisho period (1912-1926). The building is a historic Takayama machiya, or townhome, that sits alongside the Miyagawa River, the primary river that flows through the town.
This ryokan offers Japanese-style rooms with tatami mats and futon beds, with private bathroom options available. Up to five people can stay in a room together, making this a great ryokan in Hida Takayama for larger families and groups. Rooms can be booked with breakfast only, or breakfast and dinner options (dinner includes the famous Hida beef in sukiyaki, or hot pot form). The ryokan has two lobby and lounge areas decorated with historic Japanese artifacts and antiques, as well as a small Japanese garden facing the river.
Indoor hot spring onsen facilities are also available here. The onsen room can be used privately by guests if the door is locked.
Find the latest prices and availability here.
2. Ryokan Tanabe
Ryokan Tanabe is another historic ryokan in Hida Takayama. It’s celebrated its 90th anniversary as a ryokan in 2024!
This Takayama ryokan offers both Japanese-style and Western-style rooms, which are updated with modern amenities while still retaining their old Japanese charm. The rooms have tatami flooring, seating areas, and beautiful shoji paper sliding doors. Bookings come with breakfast and dinner included, which are served kaiseki-style in the guest rooms.
Facilities here for guests include yuakata rentals, free coffee, and a gift shop on-site. Both indoor and outdoor public baths are available for guests, as well as pot baths for single users which are made of Shigaraki pottery. It’s everything you need for a perfect ryokan stay!
Find the latest prices and availability for this Hida Takayama ryokan here.
3. Ryokan Asunaro
Ryokan Asunaro is a Takayama ryokan built inside a restored country house, which was transferred to Takayama in 1991 but has a history dating back over 200 years.
Most of the rooms at this ryokan are traditional Japanese-style, with tatami flooring and futon beds. Some rooms come with a private bathroom while others have shared facilities. The suite room has been renovated to be more Western-style, with sofa seating and raised beds. All rooms evoke a serene, historic Japanese ambiance with wooden furnishings and Japanese artworks. Rooms also come with yuakata rentals and complimentary tea and coffee. Bicycle rentals are also available here.
Reservation options include no meals, breakfast only, and breakfast and dinner included, if you want to enjoy the whole ryokan kaiseki meal experience. The ryokan also has public indoor hot spring onsen available to guests, separated by gender.
Find the latest prices and availability for this Hida Takayama ryokan here.
4. Oyado Yamakyu
Oyado Yamakyu is another Taisho-era (~100-year old) ryokan in Takayama that evokes the historical Japanese aesthetics through its old wooden features as well as the many antiques and glassware displayed throughout the building.
Rooms here are all Japanese-style, with floor seating, tatami mats, and futon beds. Most rooms also have shared bathroom facilities. Reservations all include breakfast and dinner, which consists of a Japanese set breakfast and traditional ryokan kaiseki dinner served at the ryokan dining area. Hida beef is on the menu too!
Facilities here include yuakata rentals, complimentary green tea, and indoor and outdoor public onsen baths. A vending machine on-site has beer, canned coffee, juice, and water. Guests can relax at the Japanese garden and shop for local souvenirs at their gift shop as well.
Find the latest prices and availability for this Hida Takayama ryokan here.
5. Ryokan Kaminaka
Ryokan Kaminaka is a historic ryokan which was built in 1888. The Yukaku architectural style of the building has been meticulously preserved, and it’s registered as a cultural tangible property of Japan. This picture-perfect ryokan in Hida Takayama is perfect for photographers as well as Japanese architecture and history buffs visiting Takayama.
Rooms here are Japanese-style, some with private bathrooms attached. The Superior rooms here have wrap-around garden views from the room, with sliding shoji paper doors to match the Japanese aesthetic. Rooms can be booked with no meals, with breakfast only, or with breakfast and dinner included.
The ryokan offers yuakata rentals to guests, as well as the ability to participate in Japanese cultural activities such as taking part in a tea ceremony, playing the taiko drums or trying the three-stringed instrument the shamisen. A Japanese garden and public indoor onsen can be enjoyed by guests.
Find the latest prices and availability for this Hida Takayama ryokan here.
6. Iroriyado Hiraya
Iroriyado Hiraya is a traditional ryokan in Hida Takayama that’s named after Japanese irori, or open indoor hearths which are commonly found in colder regions of Japan. Some rooms, like the family room, even have an irori in-room!
The rooms of Iroriyado Hitaya are Japanese style, with tatami mats and futons. If preferred, guests can request additional bedding to go under their futons for extra padding. Some of the rooms also fit up to six people, making this the perfect Takayama ryokan for families and larger groups. Only breakfast is served at the ryokan, with Western and Japanese style options (the Japanese style includes Hida beef of course!).
A large public indoor onsen is available for guests, as well as yukata rentals. The onsen is tattoo-friendly for guests during certain hours, and can also be rented for private use for an additional fee in the late evening. The ryokan also sells local Hida Takayama sake – sake from Gifu prefecture is known as some of the best in Japan, made with rice grown in the region.
Find the latest prices and availability for this Hida Takayama ryokan here.
7. Oyado Koto No Yume
Oyado Koto no Yume is a recently renovated and centrally located Hida Takayama ryokan.
Rooms here are Japanese-style with tatami flooring, futon beds, and shoji sliding doors. Each room has been renovated to have a private bathroom attached, and also offers facilities like a kettle, TV, and mini-fridge. The largest suite room here holds up to six guests, perfect for large families and big groups who want to stay together at a Hida Takayama ryokan. Rooms can be reserved without meals, or with breakfast which is a Japanese-style set breakfast served at the ryokan dining room.
Facilities available to guests here include both indoor and outdoor public onsen facilities, plus yukata rentals and complimentary tea. For kids, this ryokan offers toy rentals and free candies!
Find the latest prices and availability for this Takayama ryokan here.
8. Hida Takayama Hodakaso Yamano Iori
Ryokan Hodakaso Yamano Iori is a traditional Japanese accommodation in Hida Takayama that is perfect for travelers wanting to experience a Showa-era (1920s-1980s Japan) atmosphere.
Guests have the option to stay in rooms with Western-style beds or Japanese-style futons. Regardless of bed choice, rooms come with tatami flooring, low furniture, and sliding paper doors. Some rooms have a private bathroom, and others look out over private Japanese gardens. This ryokan also accommodates for single travelers.
Indoor onsen baths are available on-site, as well as yukata rentals. Western-style and Japanese-style breakfasts as well as evening banquet-style kaiseki meals can be enjoyed here too.
Find the latest prices and availability for this Hida Takayama ryokan here.
9. Honjin Hiranoya Kachoan
Honjin Hiranoya Kachoan is a top-rated and centrally-located Takayama ryokan that offers modern amenities with traditional ryokan omotenashi hospitality. This ryokan has multiple recently-renovated rooms that feature modern furniture, design and amenities. The aesthetics still maintain Japanese charm though!
The ryokan offers beautiful kaiseki, multi-course meals for their guests, and even accommodations vegetarian meal preferences for guests if reserved in advance. Rooms here are primarily Japanese-style, but the larger Suites come with Western-style beds and seating areas with sofas. Some suites also come with private semi-open air onsen or jacuzzi.
On-site public onsen options include both indoor and outdoor onsen too. This baby and child-friendly ryokan also has toys, baby beds, and children’s chairs and strollers for rent!
Find the latest prices and availability for this Takayama ryokan here.
10. Ichinomatsu Modern Japanese Hotel
Ichinomatsu Modern Japanese Hotel is another modern ryokan in Takayama, located 5 minutes from Takayama Station, that features updated rooms and amenities. This ryokan is located in a 40-year old Takayama home renovated in a sleek Scandinavian-Japanese style, meaning the furnishings and interior are modern and fresh compared to other older ryokan. A Japanese garden in the central courtyard of the property is a standout feature, which many rooms look out onto.
Rooms here are primarily Western-style, but also have Japanese features like tatami areas and sliding paper doors. Public onsen baths are available on-site, as well as a lounge and seating area where guests can enjoy the beautiful Japanese garden in all four seasons. Although no kaiseki meals are offered, free breakfast in the form of Japanese lunch boxes are available for guests if reserved in advance.
Find the latest prices and availability for this Takayama ryokan here.
Are You Prepared For Your Trip To Japan?
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- Book Your Flights – To find the cheapest flights, flexibility is key. I use both Google Flights for their low fare calendar, and Skiplagged, which uses airfare loopholes to get the lowest prices. For a trip to Japan, check flights to both Tokyo airports (Haneda, Narita) and to Osaka (Kansai).
- Getting Around Japan: Prepare your JR Pass and Suica transit card before you depart.
- Book Your Accommodation – Check out Booking.com for the largest selection of accommodation in Japan. Consider having a bit of fun at one of these Weirdest Hotels in Japan too 🙂
- Book Local Excursions – Don’t miss out on world-class experiences, like Teamlab Planets or Tokyo Disneyland, by booking tickets online now. Check GetYourGuide and Klook for fun experiences all around Japan.
- Stay Connected: Order a pocket WiFi for airport pickup if you’re traveling with family or with a large group. Solo traveling to Japan? Order a SIM card just for you.
- Pack Your Essentials – Check out my posts about Long Term Travel Gear, and Carry-On Luggage Packing Essentials.
- Read more on my Travel Resources page!
Check out more of my posts about amazing ryokan around Japan!
