Shinhotaka Onsen Yarimikan — Hotel in Takayama

I spent a wonderful relaxing night at Yarimikan travelling with my 11 year old son. We caught the bus from Takayama which was an easy and scenic trip through the mountains. It was snowing on our way out so I was glad not to be driving! The ryokan is a few hundred metres from the bus stop. We walked as we only had small luggage, but the ryokan can also pick you up from the bus stop. There are regular buses (coaches) from Takayama with Nohi Bus, and also some services to Toyama and Matsumoto.||||When we arrive at the ryokan just after 2pm we were greeted and offered a hot lemon drink by the fire. We were then shown to our room and given instructions (in English) on how to use the onsen and the yukatas. We stayed in one of the Japanese modern rooms, which was very comfortable with a raised sleeping area with very comfortable futons, a seating area with 2 comfortable chairs for sitting and looking out the window at the view over the river and mountains, and a small seperate alcove with a kotatsu table. We had our own toilet and basin, but washing facilities were in the male and female indoor onsen. The room also had a fridge and kettle with green tea supplied.||||I had chosen this ryokan because of the mixed gender and private family onsens as I was travelling with my son. There are 4 private family onsens which you don't need to book, if they are free you can just go in and turn the sign around to show it's occupied. We stayed on a Saturday night so there were quite a few other people staying (though a relatively quite time of year so not super busy) and we had no trouble getting one of the private onsens when we wanted one. There are also 2 larger mixed gender outdoor onsens and one female only and then separate men's and women's indoor onsens (still with views of the mountains). Women can wear a special towelling wrap in the mixed gender onsen, but men will be in the nude. The largest onsen (with the best views) is also available for women only from 7-9am. I went just after 7 and had it to myself. It was so peaceful and relaxing lying there looking at the snow-covered mountains.||||Dinner and breakfast are served in the communal dining room with traditional Japanese style tables. The food was delicious. My son had the kids option and it was still really varied and interesting Japanese food such as sashimi, crab, prawn tempura. If you have fussier kids who don't like trying new things you may need to put in a special request in advance but my son loved it. Note that while some of the hotel staff speak a bit of English, our sever didn't so it really helped that I had a voice translation app (VoiceTra) as some of the dishes are cooked at the table and I needed to ask what to do (one I didn't realise I was meant to take off when cooked so it got a bit burnt).||||The staff were all very welcoming and helfpul, and the ryokan was very clean and well maintained. I highly recommend a stay as a great way to experience a traditional ryokan, onsen and the beautiful...

Stayed here 10 years ago. Visited again 10 years later. Still one of the best ryokan ever stayed. Located quite far away from anywhere, I was traveling from Takayama 10 years ago, this time I drove from Matsumoto. Either way it took about 2 hours to reach Shinhotaka, the most far away area in Okuhida onsen.||||The ryokan is located adjacent to the Takahara river, a beautiful view. We were seated by the stove/warm place while taking some tea and briefing of the hotel. Our room located on the upper floor, overlooking the river. The room is not big, as in most Japanese rooms. Hotel provides a basket for you to put in gear for the onsen, like towel and your yukata, instead of a platic bag. ||||There are quite many good quality onsens in the hotel, including the indoor bath, family bath and the famous mixed bath which only available in very small number of onsen hotels. The indoor bath, unlike most other hotels, have a big floor to ceiling glass window through which you can see the Mount Hotaka and river. And the air condition inside is quite good that you do no feel stuffy. Family bath, on the other hand, is again indoor but do not have floor-to-ceiling window, while you can take the bath with anyone. The mixed bath is, however, has the bet view of the river and surrounding area. ||||Dinner was arranged in the restaurant sitting on the floor. The dinner was a little bit let down with limited dishes. Breakfast was on the other hand way better than dinner, especially the yuba. Every morning there is a show on the preparation of mochi, and guests can...

Stayed here 10 years ago. Visited again 10 years later. Still one of the best ryokan ever stayed. Located quite far away from anywhere, I was traveling from Takayama 10 years ago, this time I drove from Matsumoto. Either way it took about 2 hours to reach Shinhotaka, the most far away area in Okuhida onsen.||||The ryokan is located adjacent to the Takahara river, a beautiful view. We were seated by the stove/warm place while taking some tea and briefing of the hotel. Our room located on the upper floor, overlooking the river. The room is not big, as in most Japanese rooms. Hotel provides a basket for you to put in gear for the onsen, like towel and your yukata, instead of a platic bag. ||||There are quite many good quality onsens in the hotel, including the indoor bath, family bath and the famous mixed bath which only available in very small number of onsen hotels. The indoor bath, unlike most other hotels, have a big floor to ceiling glass window through which you can see the Mount Hotaka and river. And the air condition inside is quite good that you do no feel stuffy. Family bath, on the other hand, is again indoor but do not have floor-to-ceiling window, while you can take the bath with anyone. The mixed bath is, however, has the bet view of the river and surrounding area. ||||Dinner was arranged in the restaurant sitting on the floor. The dinner was a little bit let down with limited dishes. Breakfast was on the other hand way better than dinner, especially the yuba. Every morning there is a show on the preparation of mochi, and guests can...