Iroriyado Hidaya — Hotel in Takayama

I just came back from Takayama and staying at this hotel..I am planning to go to Gunma but because this hotel experience was so good I'm having a hard time settling in any other hotel anywhere lol.I just want to come back 🥹 It's probably the best place I have ever stayed in Japan. The 2 women staff (night -check in/morning- check out) are both excellent at customer service.They have explained everything very nicely and kindly.They both have nice warm smiles and a very positive attitude. We were offered tea and free snacks on arrival.Additionally they offered a mini basket of old style japanese snacks , that took my husband on a journey back to his childhood. The atmosphere is Ghibli movie like, it's peaceful, cozy and whimsical.They have nice warm stoves and music playing in the background in the lobby which makes you feel like you are in a movie.They have a beautiful display of wooden dolls and kaleidoscopes for purchase,and it makes the atmosphere of the hotel even more whimsical. The hotel and room were very clean.In our room there was a kotatsu style table which really helped us warm up after walking in the snow. Additionally there was a Japanese style irori that complemented the atmosphere of the room and warmed it up. The tv was huge. We also ordered warm takayama sake and complementary japanese style appetizers,which were savoured by the hearth. The Japanese style breakfast was extremely delicious. From our windows,we could see beautiful sceneries dressed in white which warmed my soul. Waking up to the beautiful white morning was a fantastic experience. I enjoyed my time in the onsen as well, especially because it's the kind of place where is not full of people,so I had the pleasure to have it all for myself. The only minus to it was that the room doesn't have a shower,the bath is public only.It didn't bother me though and the toilet is private in your own room. And all this for a really good price. I hope one day to be back here.It really is superb.Thank you so much for the...

If you’re visiting Takayama, you MUST stay here. We had the most wonderful stay with the most wonderful hosts. I travel for work often, domestic and international, and typically stay at 4 and 5 star hotels. This is definitely among my favorite stays in my travels!

We arrived shortly before check-in time and were greeted with tea, a snack, and warm blankets. The host sat down and showed us a map of all the best attractions in Takayama while we drank our tea.

Our room and the entire ryokan were immaculately clean (very important to me) and super cozy. I actually looked forward to going back to the room each night to spend time near the coals or under the heated blanket table. They also provided plenty of Japanese snacks, coffee, tea, and incense.

The real reason you should be staying here is because of the hospitality of the hosts. They were so happy to see us each time we arrived back at the property and were willing to answer any questions we had along the way. It was a treat to see them each day!

Breakfast is included each day and you can choose a traditional Japanese style breakfast or a western style breakfast. I recommend trying the Japanese breakfast at least one day! It can be intimidating for a westerner but is quite delicious and the staff will guide you through the whole experience.

The onsen was perfect, so relaxing, and very clean. We went at the end of each day around 9 PM and there was no one in the onsen so it was basically private! The property is intimate and you don't need to worry about a lot of folks using the onsen at once.

One note, the property is about a 20 minute walk from the main Takayama area but that wasn’t an issue for us. In fact it was perfect. It was so nice to wander through the side roads getting into and out of town. In fact, we came across more than one restaurant or sake brewery by just...

My stay at Iroriyado Hidaya was the highlight of my four-week trip through Japan.

From the moment you walk in, it feels like you're being welcomed into someone’s home. The staff are incredibly warm, offering tea and biscuits as you settle in.

The room was lovely, and it even had an Irori (traditional Japanese hearth) that you can light once a day—a rare treat in modern ryokans. Sitting by the hot coals added a special, nostalgic touch. The room also had incense, while downstairs there was always tea, snacks, and a communal onsen open to all guests.

You can reserve the onsen for yourself for 2,000 yen, but since it’s a small hotel, I hardly ever saw anyone else using it.

What made the stay truly memorable, though, was the staff. They go out of their way to make your experience special, from helping you put on a yukata with their free rentals to teaching origami and calligraphy.

The breakfast was also incredible. It was traditional Japanese with food that is local to the region like Hida Beef. The breakfast also changed daily which helped me try different dishes from Takayama.

It is worth noting that it’s a bit on the expensive side, at around £300 a night, but for such a personalized and unique experience, it felt well worth it.

The hotel is a bit out of the way so I’d recommend hiring a car from Takayama station. From Hidaya it’s an easy drive to most attractions including...