HONJIN HIRANOYA KACHOAN

This is supposedly the best hotel in Takayama. **Location:** Takayama is a small city, so everything is within walking distance. The hotel is very close to Takayama Jinya and the old town. **Check-in/Check-out:** The hotel offers free pick-up and drop-off service to and from Takayama Station. **Service:** Impeccable. Onsen hotels pay more attention to detail and personalized service than regular hotels. We speak English, but I saw many guests from mainland China and Taiwan, so communication shouldn't be an issue. Even the driver spoke a few simple Chinese phrases. **Room:** Very spacious, clean, and tidy. **Onsen:** There are several hot springs available in the main building and the annex across the street, which I didn't get to experience. **Breakfast:** Traditional Japanese style, delicious and featuring local specialties.

One of the highlights of our trip to Japan! The ryokan was incredibly comfortable and clean, and the service was top-notch. The free pick-up and drop-off at the station was a huge plus, and both dinner and breakfast were absolutely delicious and plentiful. It was fantastic! We'll definitely be staying here again next time we're in Takayama.

The room was spacious and had a jacuzzi, which was a big plus. The staff were excellent and very attentive. Both breakfast and dinner were great, with a nice sense of occasion. The food tasted pretty good too. Definitely worth a visit!

Environment: This is probably the best quality hotel in the area. The location is unbeatable, right in the heart of Takayama, just a five-minute walk from the popular Miyagawa Morning Market and Takayama Jinya. It's also within walking distance of Hida-Furukawa Station (a pilgrimage site for 'Your Name' fans) and Hie Shrine. Their annex is directly across the street, offering a different experience with its rooftop onsen, which you can use. Facilities: The main building's decor is very vintage. The hallways are filled with exquisite doll figurines, but don't worry, they're not the creepy kind! 😉 In fact, they're so beautifully crafted, you'll want one for yourself. The rooms are traditional tatami style, and you can tell the materials used are high-quality. I also have to mention the balcony in the room was stocked with plenty of bottled water, which is something I rarely see after many years of traveling in Japan. However, because Hanakouan is located in the city center, to protect privacy, there's no open-air *rotenburo* for women. This was slightly less than expected. Dining: This hotel offers a dinner and breakfast package (half-board), and we booked meals for both nights of our stay. They thoughtfully inquired about allergies beforehand, and even made special adjustments to the children's meals, such as swapping sashimi for grilled fish. The entire dining experience was guided by a very attentive Burmese staff member, and the food was exquisite. We particularly enjoyed the excellent Hida beef. I highly recommend booking the half-board option here.

First off, I have to say the hotel staff were fantastic. We were greeted with a drum performance upon entering, which was a lovely touch. We were also picked up from Takayama Station in a high-end Toyota by a suited driver – talk about VIP treatment! All the staff were incredibly warm and friendly, and they spent about half an hour explaining all the hotel services to us. My only slight complaint is about the onsen facilities. Besides one small one, we had to go to the hotel across the street to use the others, and they weren't very big. A minor point, but worth mentioning. The 'one night, two meals' dining package was exceptional. The Hida beef kaiseki dinner we booked was incredibly lavish, a feast for both the eyes and the palate. Breakfast was also very extensive. It definitely feels like a hotel with a rich history. We bought a lot of local Takayama specialties from the hotel's gift shop. The hotel is currently undergoing an expansion, so the view from our window was partially obstructed by a crane. However, it snowed at night, and seeing the white roofs of Takayama's streets created a beautiful, Edo-period atmosphere. Highly recommend! The hotel's service is top-notch, especially the friendly driver who chatted with us in English and even gave us recommendations at the station. It truly felt like experiencing high-end Japanese hospitality.