Antique Inn Sumiyoshi — Local services in Takayama

The ojiichan and obaachan (staff) here are so warm, friendly, and welcoming 🥰 We loved our stay here! They speak English minimally but well enough to understand. If you want to practice japanese they'd be open to it too c: We came from Tsumago and arrived around 9pm so we missed our first dinner, but the staff were very accommodating and had our beds ready when we arrived! The location is about 15 mins away from the bus/train station and a 5 min walk to the morning market across the river. The bath here is amazing too--private bathroom with very hot running water. They open from 7am-11pm. The room is especially cozy and they provide yukata to wear inside the Ryokan. They also provide a hand towel and toothbrush + toothpaste! In addition, there's a homeless cat that comes by to lick the window in the morning but is also afraid of people o: (don't let it in!) The food portions are huge and varied! We don't eat that much usually so it's definitely a change from our normal diet, but even if you need more food, they always have extra rice :) The sake here is also very sweet and there's a variety of pickled veggies~ for dinner, we even got hida beef (something that Takayama is known for) While you eat breakfast or dinner, they come into the room to change out the bed. So when you come back into your room, there's a table and chairs waiting for you (it's so magical haha). When it's in the evening, they'll even bring in tea + sweets to enjoy. Inside the place, they also have a small bookshelf with books in English, German, French, and of course, Japanese (might be other...

Sumiyoshi Ryokan was the best place and best experience we had in Japan. As soon as you walk in you are taken back in time. The very traditional Japanese tatami house is covered with historical artefacts it feels more like a museum. The tour to your room is an experience in itself!

We had a garden room with 2 rooms one for sleeping and one for eating with a little terrace around the perimeter overlooking the garden all separated by shoji screens. We had not booked the dinner for all the nights but wished we had! It was a spectacle! They brought out the most beautiful dishes that did not disappoint on taste. There were so many dishes and they catered to my vegetarian diet. It was the best food experience we had in Japan.

Then there was the breakfast each morning which was similarly impressive. A never ending delight of perfectly curated plates!

Then there was the onsen. They have 2 private onsens. One better than the other but both perfect for couples on holiday that otherwise experience the onsen separately. It gets you nice and warm to relax in your tatami room in your kimonos.

And I can't leave this review without mentioning the owners. They were the most welcoming and happy people. The lady even taught us how to make little sushi with our chopsticks! It wouldn't have been the same experience if they were not there paying attention to every little detail to make our...

The best experience I had in Japan was just discovering and staying in this typical Ryokan in Takayama. I stayed there with my partner last year in April. It is basically a private residence of a Japanese family that accommodates a few guests. The residence is located in a great location right next to the river ,in the center and beating heart of the town above whose banks a really very typical and authentic daily market is set up, just like the atmosphere you can feel in the Ryokan. The room was really very spacious and the whole residence is furnished with furniture and antiques belonging to the family and handed down for generations. There are also some private Onsen in the facility that can be locked and reserved for guests. Included in the price was also dinner and breakfast , amazing, plentiful, of exceptional quality and carefully prepared by the family. Last but not least, I would like to mention the elderly gentlemen couple of the family, of unique sweetness who always welcomed us and served our meals. I will return to Japan soon and visit again , you have remained in our hearts. Greetings from the Italians Riccardo and Gaia ,...