Honjin Hiranoya Kachoan — Hotel in Takayama

Great hotel allowing you to immerse into Japanese traditions and hospitality. Rooms with tatami maths, Japanese style breakfast and dinner, onsen on site (or you can walk across the road in your yukata to a sister property to enjoy a roof top onsen there). The level of service is astonishingly high. However the attention to your person is overwhelming. When we arrived someone stopped us on the street and asked for our names. It was a hotel staff. We were rushed in and at least 5 more people ran towards us from different corners shouting and talking all at the same time. We were swiftly brought up to our room in less than a minute I think, the luggage had already been delivered. Within next 3 we were served tea and sweets, asked to sign forms, confirm preferred dinner time, breakfast time and it's type, were given all sorts of explanations, asked what arrangements we need for our departure, and hundreds other things have happened. Totally overwhelming experience... The stay overall was excellent. ||My only negative comment is the super speedy delivery of food during meal times. During a 9 course dinner almost all dishes were served before we had finished the previous course (or even before we had started it). Then there was a long gap towards the end. Same for the Japanese style breakfast. All hot dishes were cooked in front of us right after our arrival. By the time we finished with salads, raw juice (delicious!) and colds dishes, our grilled fish, grilled koji miso paste and hot porridge were already almost cold. Everything...

Great hotel allowing you to immerse into Japanese traditions and hospitality. Rooms with tatami maths, Japanese style breakfast and dinner, onsen on site (or you can walk across the road in your yukata to a sister property to enjoy a roof top onsen there). The level of service is astonishingly high. However the attention to your person is overwhelming. When we arrived someone stopped us on the street and asked for our names. It was a hotel staff. We were rushed in and at least 5 more people ran towards us from different corners shouting and talking all at the same time. We were swiftly brought up to our room in less than a minute I think, the luggage had already been delivered. Within next 3 we were served tea and sweets, asked to sign forms, confirm preferred dinner time, breakfast time and it's type, were given all sorts of explanations, asked what arrangements we need for our departure, and hundreds other things have happened. Totally overwhelming experience... The stay overall was excellent.

My only negative comment is the super speedy delivery of food during meal times. During a 9 course dinner almost all dishes were served before we had finished the previous course (or even before we had started it). Then there was a long gap towards the end. Same for the Japanese style breakfast. All hot dishes were cooked in front of us right after our arrival. By the time we finished with salads, raw juice (delicious!) and colds dishes, our grilled fish, grilled koji miso paste and hot porridge were already almost cold. Everything...

Both the ryokan and the surrounding area is gorgeous. There was an attendant waiting outside to greet us and take our bags when we got there and then we were served tea and sweets in our room. They took some time to tell us about the area, their hot spring offerings, and plan out our meals. They offer free rental yukatas for foreigners, which we used for around the area. They also have a map of a suggested walking tour, which takes you through many of the small shops before ending at a shrine by the water. The area is gorgeous, and there are a number of trails through the mountains nearby if you are interested in hiking. If you're leaving to go to one of their sister hotels (for hot springs!) or just want to walk around the city, they offer slippers and umbrellas for you to use. The room we stayed in was huge. On top of the living/sleeping space, there was a sitting room, separate bathroom and shower, and a foyer. Dinner and breakfast are served in a private room in their restaurant. The half board package came with a huge traditional style dinner and breakfast. Both were absolutely delicious and are some of the best meals I had in my entire stay in Japan. I would recommend for anyone coming out to the Takayama area to experience a night here. The living accomodations, hospitality, and food...