Hotels near Hirayu Onsen, Takayama City

May 15-16, 2024 From the moment we saw photos of this special place on the internet, we knew we had to stay here! The natural rock onsen baths caught our imagination - and our stay was wonderful beyond expectations! The resort is located in a forested valley is stunning, next to a rushing river. Natural mountain hot spring water is channeled into 7 lovely outdoor onsen baths, as well as ensuite baths. The facility is beautifully designed with gardens and multi-level suites, with each of the levels looking out to the river, with plenty of seating to enjoy the relaxing and lovely views. We were treated with limitless thoughtful hospitality from the moment we arrived, to the moment we left - in fact, one of our group kept commenting ”the y[the staff] must think we're really special!”. The suite was beautifully appointed with tatami mats, traditional Japanese decor, comfortable beds, yukata and slippers are provided along with tabi socks and plenty of clean linens. Our suite had its own private onsen bath encircled by natural stones, and constantly running hot spring water. Such a contrast to water-parched California and even Hawaii where we're from! The outdoor onsens are open all night, for viewing of the starry night sky. The kaiseki dinner was exceptional, with many many delicious small plates, each exquisitely prepared and presented - a petite, freshly caught local fish was skewered as if swimming and roasted in a salt shell. Utterly delicious! In the morning, after a similarly wonderful breakfast, we experienced a mochi-pounding session with the hotel staff and guests joining in - lots of fun - photos were provided! Transportation - It was a challenge figuring out how to get to this place - finally, we had a Japanese-speaking hotel clerk call the resort, and got instructions for the 1-hour bus ride from Takayama bus station to Shinhotaka Onsen / Nakao Kou-gen-guchi. There are buses running every hour! We walked to the resort from the bus stop when we arrived, and a shuttle van to the bus stop was thoughtfully provided by the resort when we left. PS) I was unable to upload photos. Please provide an email, because you won't want to miss seeing this beautiful place!

Takayama: A very quiet city, and the only place that surprised me beyond my expectations. This hotel offers incredible value for money; it's clean, tidy, and pays attention to all the little details. There's an onsen (hot spring bath) on the rooftop, and the room was restocked with toiletries every day. Every staff member was proactive and enthusiastic, making other hotels feel a bit cold in comparison. Although the room was small, it was perfectly functional, and the breakfast was quite substantial, with items continuously replenished right up until closing. 👍

This hotel is right next to Takayama JR Station. You can spot the 'hotel around' sign on the building as your train pulls in, though the name 'Ascend Hotel Collection' used on Ctrip might cause a little confusion. It's super convenient for getting to Shirakawa-go, as the Nohi Bus Terminal is right next door. The rooms are a bit small but very comfortable and have a modern, youthful design. I loved the thoughtful details, like the local restaurant and attraction cards in the lobby, the wall art in the elevator area, the bedside outlets, and the window-side sofa seating. For breakfast, there are four delicious options: Japanese, Western, and two vegetarian choices. I highly recommend the Japanese-style breakfast. There are also several great Hida beef BBQ restaurants not far from the hotel, perfect for dinner.

The hotel is very close to JR Takayama Station. After exiting the station, you don't need to cross the road; just turn right towards Tokyu Stay, and you'll find it after passing Ajikura Tengoku. The hotel's decor is very unique. We booked a corner triple room, so the space was incredibly spacious and comfortable. Besides drip coffee and tea bags, the room also provided bottled mineral water. There's an open-air bath on the 9th floor – simply flawless. Before my trip, I read many reviews recommending Hida beef, but to my dismay, I discovered Ajikura Tengoku was closed when I arrived (ugh!). Luckily, I quickly found Maruaki, a famous Hida beef restaurant open year-round. The beef was incredibly rich and fatty – you'll definitely fall in love with Hida beef! I'm already planning to come back next year! 😋

The hotel's location is excellent, right outside Takayama Station, and the Nohi Bus terminal is also nearby. Dining options around are very convenient. We wanted to try Ajikura next door, but it was closed that day. After hiking in Kamikochi on a rainy day, soaking our feet and enjoying the hot springs was incredibly relaxing. I feel like if I ever come back to Takayama, I'd choose to stay here again.

Super conveniently located just next to Takayama Station and right beside the Nohi Bus Terminal, making it an excellent base for getting around especially by public transport to Shirakawa go or Toyama or Nagoya. Unlike many hotels in Japan with compact room sizes, this hotel offers a more spacious setup, complete with a kitchen, cooking utensils, and even a washer-dryer — perfect for longer stays or added comfort. It is also within easy walking distance to Miyagawa Morning Market and Takayama Old Town, with plenty of Hida beef restaurants nearby for a great local dining experience.

Great location, within walking distance to many restaurants. They have their own paid parking, which is convenient for those traveling by car. The hot spring views must be beautiful during the day, and the facilities are very complete. Overall, a great experience!

The rooms are luxurious and look great. Even though there's no restaurant in the hotel, there's a small mini-mart where you can grab something to eat. The drinks sold at the mini-mart are good, and there are tables to sit at, a microwave, miso soup, and ice available. Overall, it's very good and close to the public onsen.

Our stay at Ryokan Gizan was a truly memorable experience. This is a traditionally built and decorated Japanese ryokan, with tatami floors, sliding doors, and an authentic atmosphere that makes you feel fully immersed in Japanese culture. It’s definitely a “must-visit” if you’re looking to experience traditional Japanese accommodation — even a short stay of 2–3 nights is enough to make it special. The ryokan is quite old, which actually adds to its authentic charm, though it might feel a bit less comfortable for more demanding guests. That said, it’s very well maintained and everything is clean and thoughtfully arranged. The onsen facilities were excellent — one public bath and four private ones that you can use freely. After long days of exploring, it was a real treat. We highly recommend booking with the traditional dinner included. The meals were a highlight: we had Yakiniku the first night and Shabu-shabu the second, both featuring fresh, generous portions of delicious food. Breakfast was a traditional Japanese set — beautifully presented and made with care, though not quite to our personal taste. The location is stunning — surrounded by mountains, rivers, and blossoming trees. It feels peaceful and remote. Just note that amenities like ATMs or grocery stores are limited nearby. However, it’s well connected by bus (just a 3-minute walk from the ryokan), which can take you to Kamikochi or the terminals at Takayama and Hirayu Onsen. Buses run about once an hour, so it’s quite manageable. Overall, a fantastic stay — relaxing, unique, and highly recommended for anyone looking to experience a more traditional and scenic side of Japan.

I stayed for 5 nights, and first of all, the price is very reasonable for a backpacker hostel. Check-in is done online: you choose your language, scan your passport, and have a f2f call with the staff via an iPad. FYI, there is a mandatory accommodation tax in Japan of 100 yen per night. You can also request a paid ”Irori” service at a nearby sister branch, where you can grill your own ingredients over a traditional Japanese sunken hearth. Just a reminder: you can get fresh ingredients from the nearby market ”Family Store Satoh” or further away at ”Surugaya Asumo.” The common area isn't huge, and the kitchen is basic but functional with tableware, an electric kettle, ovens, a microwave, and a mini fridge. The tap water is drinkable; the mixer tap can be toggled to adjust the temperature, so you won't get a chill from the ice cold water in winter! 😂 In the back, there are a toilet, three shower stalls, and communal sinks, along with a washing machine and dryer that are free to use (you just need to buy detergent from the capsule machine or bring your own) Since it's a hostel, the dorms have top and bottom bunks. The bunks are quite spacious and come with two power outlets (remember your travel adapter!), an overhead locker (bring your own padlock), a towel, and two hooks. You have to make your own bed; it's a futon-style setup where you lay the linens on the mattress. A pillow and duvet are provided. During winter, they run the AC (split system) on heat mode to keep it cozy. In the room, there’s a luggage storage area and hanging rods for clothes. On the second floor where I stayed, there are two toilets in the room: one with a urinal and another unisex one with a smart bidet/washlet. To be honest, while it's very close to the Miyagawa Morning Market, it feels a bit far from the Nohi Bus Center and JR Station. If you don't like walking or tire easily, this might be a bit of a challenge. Overall, it's a great, affordable choice for backpackers😗