Ryokan Asunaro (Hida Takayama) | A Traditional Japanese Inn Offering Classic Architecture and Regional Cuisine - Japan Travel Sights

Ryokan Asunaro (Hida Takayama) | A Traditional Japanese Inn Offering Classic Architecture and Regional Cuisine

In the serene mountain town of Hida Takayama, where the breeze of all four seasons drifts quietly through historic streets,
Ryokan Asunaro stands in gentle harmony with its nostalgic surroundings.

Crafted entirely from keyaki (Japanese zelkova) wood, the inn exudes warmth and timeless dignity.
A traditional irori hearth, peaceful tatami rooms, soothing hot spring baths, seasonal cuisine, and heartfelt hospitality—all come together to offer a sensory immersion into the beauty and tranquility of Japan.

This is more than just a place to stay.
It is a place to savor time itself—a quiet luxury that Ryokan Asunaro cherishes above all.

Guest Rooms

Tranquil Comfort in a Traditional Setting — 17 Rooms Across 5 Distinct Types

Ryokan Asunaro offers 17 guest rooms across 5 unique styles, each inspired by the names and charm of wildflowers.
Built primarily with elegant Japanese zelkova (keyaki) wood, every room reflects the essence of a traditional Japanese inn.

All rooms are non-smoking and offer free Wi-Fi.
Enjoy the natural scent of timber and the soft touch of tatami mats as you unwind in peaceful comfort.

Japanese-Modern Room

A Harmonious Blend of Tradition and Modern Comfort

These rooms merge the calm simplicity of traditional Japanese architecture with modern convenience.
Warm wooden textures and minimalist aesthetics create a serene and refined atmosphere—perfect for reading quietly or enjoying the filtered light through shoji screens.

Special Suite

A Spacious Fusion of Elegance and Nostalgia

Featuring two connected rooms, this spacious suite evokes the ambiance of a classic Japanese home.
With a built-in irori hearth, it offers a timeless retreat where you can feel the slow passage of time—ideal for families or special occasions.

Japanese-Western Room

Comfort for All, Combining Bed and Tatami Space

Perfect for guests who prefer Western-style beds but still want to experience tatami flooring.
This hybrid room balances traditional aesthetics with modern comfort, making it especially suitable for elderly travelers.

Irori Room

An Authentic Hida Experience

One of the inn’s most distinctive rooms, featuring a real irori hearth.
Here, guests can immerse themselves in the sights, sounds, and scents of traditional Japan—particularly enchanting during the winter months.

Room with Private Bath

Personal Soak, Total Serenity

Enjoy a relaxing soak in your own private bath, surrounded by the scent of natural wood.
Ideal after a day of sightseeing or for a peaceful start to your morning—this room ensures complete privacy and comfort.

Room with Shower Booth & Toilet (Most Popular)

Efficient and Comfortable

The most popular room type at Ryokan Asunaro.
Outfitted with both a modern shower booth and toilet, while still maintaining a serene, traditional Japanese ambiance.
Perfect for travelers who value function and atmosphere alike.

Hot Spring at Ryokan Asunaro

Soothe Body and Soul in the Waters of Hida-Takayama Onsen

A Gentle, Healing Spring That Warms You to the Core

At Ryokan Asunaro, guests can immerse themselves in the natural hot springs of Hida-Takayama Onsen.
Drawn from deep beneath the Hida mountains, this rare source offers sodium-chloride hydrogen carbonate spring water, known for its clarity and gentle aroma of sulfur that calms both body and spirit.

💧 Spring Quality & Health Benefits

  • Type: Sodium – Chloride / Hydrogen Carbonate Spring
  • Properties: Mildly alkaline, hypotonic, low temperature
  • Therapeutic Benefits:
    • Nerve pain
    • Muscle pain
    • Joint pain
    • Frozen shoulder
    • Poor circulation
    • Recovery from fatigue
    • Chronic digestive issues
    • General wellness improvement

This soft and skin-friendly water is ideal for sensitive skin, making it a perfect remedy to ease both travel fatigue and everyday tension.

🛁 Atmosphere of the Bath Area

The indoor bath features a calming cypress-scented changing area and a traditional bath lined with polished granite.
While not large, the bath’s intimate size creates a serene and refined environment where time flows slowly and gently.

Surrounded by soft rising steam, tranquil silence, and the warmth of natural wood, this is an experience of authentic Japanese healing—something only found far from the rush of urban life.

Cuisine at Ryokan Asunaro

A Feast of Hida Beef and Seasonal Local Delicacies

🥩 Dinner – Savory Hida Beef Hot Pot in a Kaiseki Course

A Seasonal Kaiseki Meal Highlighting the Best of Hida’s Land and Water

Dinner at Ryokan Asunaro features a multi-course kaiseki meal prepared with an abundance of seasonal ingredients from the Hida region. The highlight is the Hida Beef Hot Pot Plan, where guests can savor the finest quality Hida-gyu, a world-renowned wagyu beef born from Gifu’s pristine waters, natural environment, and advanced farming techniques.

Tender and beautifully marbled, this melt-in-your-mouth beef is personally selected by the head chef and prepared with the utmost care. The hot pot is paired with seasonal vegetables and a delicate broth that enhances the beef’s rich flavor.

Meals are served in a private-style dining room, offering a peaceful and intimate atmosphere to enjoy your meal.

📌 Dinner Reservation Notes

  • Choose your dinner time: 18:00 or 19:00
  • If arriving after 18:00, please contact the inn in advance.

🍚 Breakfast – A Gentle Start to the Day

Choose Between a Traditional Japanese or Western-Style Breakfast

Ryokan Asunaro offers two breakfast options, both made with nourishing, local ingredients.

🍱 Japanese Breakfast – “Asaichi Gozen”

  • Hida’s signature Hoba Miso grilled on magnolia leaves
  • Seasonal mountain vegetables and local pickles
  • Freshly steamed Hida-grown Koshihikari rice
    → A wholesome and deeply satisfying start to the day.

🥐 Western Breakfast (Reservation Required for First Night)

  • Bread, eggs, salad, fruit, and more
    → A lighter option perfect for those who prefer a Western-style morning.

📌 Breakfast Time & Notes

  • Breakfast starts at 7:00 / 7:30 / 8:00 (selected at check-in)
  • For multi-night stays, the Japanese menu rotates in 3 styles; Western breakfast also has 3 variations
  • Menu items may vary depending on season and ingredient availability.

Facilities & Services at Ryokan Asunaro

Thoughtful Hospitality, Rooted in Japanese Warmth

Unwind in Tranquility with Heartfelt Service

To make your stay more comfortable and memorable, Ryokan Asunaro offers a range of personalized services infused with care and tradition.

👘 Colorful Yukata Selection (Women Only)

Choose from a variety of vibrant and elegant yukata (casual kimono) to enhance your stay and create lasting memories.
Whether you’re drawn to subtle patterns or vivid colors, you’re sure to find one that suits your travel mood.

Note: A standard yukata is available for male guests.

Complimentary Self-Serve Coffee

Relax in the irori-style lobby lounge, surrounded by the gentle scent of natural wood, and enjoy a free cup of coffee.

  • Available Hours:
    • 14:00–20:00
    • 7:00–10:00

Take a peaceful moment to reflect and unwind between your adventures.

🚲 Free Bicycle Rental (Ideal for Sightseeing)

Explore the historic streets and morning markets of Takayama with ease using our complimentary rental bicycles.

  • Available on a first-come, first-served basis at the front desk.

All of these offerings reflect Ryokan Asunaro’s heartfelt hospitality.
Immerse yourself in genuine Japanese comfort and quiet moments—memories you’ll carry long after your journey ends.

Access & Basic Information

Prime Location – Just a 6-Minute Walk from Takayama Station

  • Address: 2-96-2 Hatsudamachi, Takayama City, Gifu 506-0008, Japan
  • Access: Approx. 6 minutes on foot from JR Takayama Station (Norikura Exit / East Exit)
  • Parking: Free / 15 spaces (no reservation required)
  • Check-in: From 14:00 to 19:00
  • Check-out: By 10:00
  • Phone: +81-577-33-5551
  • Number of Rooms: 17

All prices include tax. Bathing tax excluded. Accommodation tax scheduled to be introduced from October 2025.

🗺️ Explore Takayama: Tradition, Scenery & Taste

Known as “Little Kyoto of Hida,” Takayama boasts beautifully preserved streetscapes and cultural experiences steeped in Edo-period atmosphere.
Use Ryokan Asunaro as your base to explore these iconic spots:

Old Town District (10-minute walk)

A designated Important Preservation District for Groups of Historic Buildings, this area features Edo-style merchant homes, latticework facades, and streets lined with shops offering Hida crafts and local delicacies.

  • Try:
    • Hida Beef Nigiri (seared sushi)
    • Sake tasting at historic breweries
    • Morning stroll through the nostalgic townscape

Takayama Jinya (15-minute walk)

Japan’s only remaining Edo-period regional government office, once under direct control of the shogunate. A must-visit for history buffs.

  • Highlights:
    • Jinya-mae Morning Market
    • Restored offices, interrogation rooms
    • Traditional Japanese garden

Miyagawa Morning Market (East bank of Miyagawa River)

From Kaji-bashi to Yayoi-bashi, this vibrant morning market features fresh produce, mountain herbs, pickles, flowers, and crafts sold by local vendors.
A warm exchange of words in the Hida dialect adds to its charm.

Hida Folk Village (10-minute drive)

An open-air museum showcasing traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses and thatched-roof dwellings nestled in scenic nature.

  • Experience:
    • Interior tours of historic homes
    • Folk craft workshops (e.g., sarubobo dolls, bamboo weaving)
    • Magical winter illuminations

Shirakawa-go (Approx. 50-minute drive)

A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Japan’s most photogenic villages.
Marvel at the gassho-style thatched houses, panoramic viewpoints, and enjoy regional foods like doburoku sake, gohei-mochi, and Hida beef croquettes.

Conclusion: A Sensory Journey through Takayama

Ryokan Asunaro offers more than accommodation—it provides a fully immersive experience of Hida’s architecture, cuisine, hospitality, and hot springs.
From the warmth of keyaki wood to the refined local meals and gentle onsen, it’s a retreat praised by travelers worldwide for its balance of tradition and modern comfort.

Whether you seek culture, cuisine, or calm, you’ll find it all at Ryokan Asunaro.

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