Kyomu no Yado, Yamaboshi — Hotel in Takayama

Yamaboushi (correct spelling) is located in the Okuhida area of Gifu Prefecture in the mountains. Yamaboushi is the name for Japanese dogwood, and these trees were in bloom everywhere during our visit in July. This is a Japanese-style inn, although some rooms do have western beds. Until about ten years ago it was a ‘minshuku’ or Japanese bed and breakfast, but in the mor recent ten years there has been a lot of rebuilding, and as an Inn it now provides breakfast and dinner in the price. Our room was really a suite, with a very large main room, a space for a sofa looking our over the deck; a room with ‘irori’, or small heating fireplace in the floor; outside deck, bathroom including a half - ‘rotenburo’ (outside hot spring bath). Yukata and two-piece sets of pyjamas are provided, as well as small towels for washing and small plastic-lined bag to carry the wet towels in, which you can keep. The food was absolutely spectacular...both breakfast and dinner. There are two ‘rotenburo’ (outside hot spring baths) which can be signed out for privacy by couples or individuals, and a larger bath which is mixed gender. The gardens are beautiful. Not far from here is a farmer’s market...well...

The japanese fireplace in rooms is the reason I select this resort. It was not disappointing.||This resort is located just beside the bus station, facing the main street, but it's not noisy. The fireplace in rooms is a big feature. Room is very spacious, seperate fireplace room (sitting room) and bed room. Although it's very difficult to ignite even follow the official instruction, I found the experience is quite fun. The real fire and a bit smoky smell takes thought back to times. ||It's well equipted with the most advanced toilet, very clean , spotless. Meals were good as well.||Private spa is free of charge for guests. open air spa atmosphere is nice. I hope the indoor changeroom could be bigger and better. ||This is a standard japanese spa resort, small, delicate, clean, quiet,...

Our one night stay here was one of the highlights of our trip; the entire ryokan was beautiful, clean and the service was fantastic. It was easy to enjoy both the private and public onsen alone as there were very few other guests, and the kaiseki dinner and breakfast the next morning was truly such an amazing culinary experience. We were also able to add on in-room massages last minute which was such a nice feature! My only nit is that our room smelled very strongly of cigarette smoke from the previous occupants, and that put quite a damper on our stay in the room, but were able to put up with it for...