Hot Spring Hotels in Takayama City

One of the best I have experienced with ryokan staying. I love a small hotel/inn as it is not crowded. This place answers my expectations. Its location is a bit far off but it is not an issue. It is accessible by public bus from Takayama. Each room has private onsen. It also has 2 outdoor, private onsen on first-come-first-serve basis. There are also public baths for male and female. Room was in good condition. Bathroom is a bit small for me. Only complaint I would have was foot step noise from the room on upper floor. Very annoyed. Food was great. I stayed 2 nights, the hotel provided 2 different types of food - appreciated. Highway recommended.

Six months later, I returned to Takayama and stayed at this hotel for the second time. The service quality felt just as excellent as it did during my visit in February. Every staff member was incredibly friendly. The breakfast included a chocolate croissant that was absolutely delicious – I highly recommend trying it. Takayama in summer is so different from winter, but the warm feeling this small town gives me hasn't changed. I'm still touched. See you next time.

May 15-16, 2024 From the moment we saw photos of this special place on the internet, we knew we had to stay here! The natural rock onsen baths caught our imagination - and our stay was wonderful beyond expectations! The resort is located in a forested valley is stunning, next to a rushing river. Natural mountain hot spring water is channeled into 7 lovely outdoor onsen baths, as well as ensuite baths. The facility is beautifully designed with gardens and multi-level suites, with each of the levels looking out to the river, with plenty of seating to enjoy the relaxing and lovely views. We were treated with limitless thoughtful hospitality from the moment we arrived, to the moment we left - in fact, one of our group kept commenting ”the y[the staff] must think we're really special!”. The suite was beautifully appointed with tatami mats, traditional Japanese decor, comfortable beds, yukata and slippers are provided along with tabi socks and plenty of clean linens. Our suite had its own private onsen bath encircled by natural stones, and constantly running hot spring water. Such a contrast to water-parched California and even Hawaii where we're from! The outdoor onsens are open all night, for viewing of the starry night sky. The kaiseki dinner was exceptional, with many many delicious small plates, each exquisitely prepared and presented - a petite, freshly caught local fish was skewered as if swimming and roasted in a salt shell. Utterly delicious! In the morning, after a similarly wonderful breakfast, we experienced a mochi-pounding session with the hotel staff and guests joining in - lots of fun - photos were provided! Transportation - It was a challenge figuring out how to get to this place - finally, we had a Japanese-speaking hotel clerk call the resort, and got instructions for the 1-hour bus ride from Takayama bus station to Shinhotaka Onsen / Nakao Kou-gen-guchi. There are buses running every hour! We walked to the resort from the bus stop when we arrived, and a shuttle van to the bus stop was thoughtfully provided by the resort when we left. PS) I was unable to upload photos. Please provide an email, because you won't want to miss seeing this beautiful place!

It’s a very nice place, 3mins walk from Nohi bus station. Very aesthetic Japanese layout, each room are themed with different Japanese cultures. The staffs are also very friendly and helpful and can’t complaint about the level of service.

Stay was worth every penny. Hotel was located very close to train station and bus station so travelling to and out from it was convenient. Check in process was fast and easy to understand. They even had tea ready during checkin Room was decently sized and very clean. I arrived during spring and the beds were so comfortable and warm The highlight of the hotel has got to be the onsen. They have both private onsen that you can book for an hour and common onsen. If you go around midnight (the onsens are open till 1am), its completely empty and you can enjoy it all for yourself. Word of warning though, you can probably be seen if you're standing close to the edge of the public open air onsen so maybe dont do that (or do whatever floats your boat). After the onsen you can help yourself to free drinks and snacks They had beautiful sakura blossoms during that time, and a public foot bath that can be enjoyed by all. I loved my stay here and will definitely return if I have a chance.

A very big ryokan with many different baths, private and public. The western style room we chose was spacious and comfortable. The outdoor is great for pictures taking. The dining room although not private gives option of dining with a window view or otherwise. My hubby left his wallet behind but the honest staff ran after him to return! A Big Thank You & kudos to honest staff 🙏❤️.

The assigned room was not the one I booked. Instead of East Wing with a mountain view, I got assigned to South Wing, not sure if it is a mountain view but definitely not what I expected (I will attach a photo). But generally, I still had a fantastic experience there. The location is great for me because it is near Shinhotaka Ropeway. The open air onsen was beautiful, I liked it a lot, and went every night. The food was fantastic too! I am not well versed with Japanese food culture, but basically it was the traditional course meal (only dinner) you probably will have in a decent Japanese restaurant. I am a vegetarian, the hotel is prepared for my diet every breakfast and dinner. I must say I am really amazed with their food culture and knife skill. Their front desk was helpful with my needs too like a nail cutter, plaster etc.

I had a very relaxing three-night stay at Okada Ryokan. The service was excellent—staff were consistently warm and attentive, especially during meal times, which made the experience feel extra special. The food was simple and clean. I enjoyed it a lot but I was getting a little bored of it by the 5th meal. We added on a hida beef steak after seeing a few Japanese tourist ordering it. If you like fatty and soft beef, you should try it. The public onsen is spacious, with four pools. The outdoor pool is big and quiet. The room was comfortable and well heated for winter. The private onsen in the room was a highlight; it easily fits two people and was perfect for relaxing after a long day. This ryokan is over 100 years old, with parts of the structure dating back around 150 years. For a building of that age, I’d say it’s been well maintained. A small part of me wish the bathroom could be newer and cleaner but I would be missing the whole point. Staying here truly feels like stepping back in time—it was a unique and memorable experience. There are two local ski resorts within a 15-minute drive, and Takayama is about a 45-minute drive away.

It would be better if there is a locker facility at the hot spring changing area. & high cost performance~

Our stay at Ryokan Gizan was a truly memorable experience. This is a traditionally built and decorated Japanese ryokan, with tatami floors, sliding doors, and an authentic atmosphere that makes you feel fully immersed in Japanese culture. It’s definitely a “must-visit” if you’re looking to experience traditional Japanese accommodation — even a short stay of 2–3 nights is enough to make it special. The ryokan is quite old, which actually adds to its authentic charm, though it might feel a bit less comfortable for more demanding guests. That said, it’s very well maintained and everything is clean and thoughtfully arranged. The onsen facilities were excellent — one public bath and four private ones that you can use freely. After long days of exploring, it was a real treat. We highly recommend booking with the traditional dinner included. The meals were a highlight: we had Yakiniku the first night and Shabu-shabu the second, both featuring fresh, generous portions of delicious food. Breakfast was a traditional Japanese set — beautifully presented and made with care, though not quite to our personal taste. The location is stunning — surrounded by mountains, rivers, and blossoming trees. It feels peaceful and remote. Just note that amenities like ATMs or grocery stores are limited nearby. However, it’s well connected by bus (just a 3-minute walk from the ryokan), which can take you to Kamikochi or the terminals at Takayama and Hirayu Onsen. Buses run about once an hour, so it’s quite manageable. Overall, a fantastic stay — relaxing, unique, and highly recommended for anyone looking to experience a more traditional and scenic side of Japan.