You’ve heard all about Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto. But have you heard about Takayama, a hidden gem tucked away in the mountains of Gifu prefecture?

Takayama is known for its beautifully preserved old town with buildings and streets that look straight out of the Edo period. It’s also a great base to explore the surrounding Hida region filled with stunning mountain scenery, hiking trails, sleepy villages, and some of Takayama’s best ryokans.

A ryokan stay is a quintessential Japanese experience that everyone should have at least once. Sleeping on futons, soaking in therapeutic hot spring baths, and wearing yukata robes while sampling delicious multi-course kaiseki meals are just some of the highlights.

Top 13 Curated Hida Takayama Ryokan To Book in 2023

To experience the best ryokans Takayama and the Hida region have to offer, here are our top 10 recommendations for 2023:

Top 13 Hida takayama ryokan 

Wanosato: Takayama onsen hotel

Price: Check price now | Rating: 9.2/10 on Booking.com (128 reviews)

• Award-winning luxury ryokan in 160-year-old thatched roof house
• Bedrock and cypress Takayama onsen Ryokan with public hot spring baths with mountain views
• Spacious rooms with air conditioning, tatami mats, and futon beds
• Delicious Japanese breakfast and dinner featuring seasonal ingredients

Quote: “The service, the history, the amazing food, the beautiful nature, the incredible architecture, the authenticity and the relaxing onsen. Worth every penny.”

Why Book: Award-winning luxury ryokan with excellent hospitality, delicious food, and scenic hot spring baths, perfect for a pampered yet authentic experience.

Iroriyado Hidaya: Ryokan in Takayama Japan 

Price: Check price now | Rating: 9.4/10 on Booking.com (127 reviews

• Recently renovated sustainable ryokan in Hida Takayama Onsen district
• Authentic tatami rooms with air conditioning and shared open-air bath
• Excellent hospitality – staff welcome you back like family
• Peaceful ambience and easy access to folk villages and museums

Quote: “Great place representing the old traditional Japanese way of living. With a nice hot spring bath, beautiful staff and a excellent breakfast.”

Why Book: Recently renovated ryokan with warm hospitality and traditional ambience, ideal for those wanting an immersive cultural experience.

Mozumo: Best Ryokan with private onsen takayama

Price: Check price now | Rating: 9.5/10 on Booking.com (146 reviews)

• Tranquil forest ryokan with contemporary minimalist design
• Private balcony open-air baths overlooking the trees
• Delicious hoba miso regional specialty for breakfast
• Perfect romantic retreat surrounded by nature

Tip: This is the ryokan I stayed at in Takayama and I cannot recommend this ryokan enough. It was the best experience and the best meal i had in Japan hands down! Read my review about Mozumo here.

Quote: “Beautiful. Located in a gorgeous forest with excellent hot springs. Having the personal bath was my favorite thing. The staff were very helpful and kind.”

Why Book: For a peaceful adults-only retreat surrounded by nature with private outdoor hot spring baths.

Takayama Ouan: Takayama ryokan with onsen 

Price: Check price now | Rating: 5/5 (1,784 reviews on Booking.com) Book it here: Takayama Ouan

• Convenient downtown location only 5 mins from JR Takayama Station
• Rooftop and indoor hot spring baths with views of the city
• Luxurious rooms with tatami mats and lowered Western-style beds
• Award-winning ryokan with exceptional hospitality and service

“The rooftop bath was fantastic and had an amazing view of the city below. The food was incredible. 10/10 would recommend!”

Ryokan Asunaro: Ryokan onsen takayama

Price: Check price now | Rating: 9.4/10 (628 reviews on Booking.com)| Book it here: Ryokan Asunaro

• Authentic ryokan located minutes from the train station and old town
• Excellent hospitality with thoughtful gifts and welcoming attitude
• Spacious Japanese-style rooms with tatami mats
• Relaxing hot spring bath to soak weary muscles after a day of sightseeing

“Being able to choose the yukata you borrow was really fun. The onsen was really relaxing. Having been to a few ryokans previously, this was the best.”

Kanko Ryokan

Price: Check price now| Rating: 9.1/10 (164 reviews on Booking.com)| Book it here:

• Luxurious ryokan situated near stunning Takayama Old Town
• Some rooms have private outdoor hot spring baths with mountain views
• Large indoor baths and outdoor baths
• Excellent service and hospitality in beautiful natural settings

“The private outdoor bath was fantastic and had an awesome view of the autumn leaves on the mountain.”

Shirakabeso Takayama ryokan

Price: Check price now | Rating: 9.4/10 (799 reviews on Booking.com)| Book it here: Shirakabeso

• Award-winning luxury ryokan founded over 100 years ago
• Baths integrated into natural Hida River for most scenic dips
• Peaceful rooms with open ceilings showcasing wooden frameworks
• Located in quiet nature but only 15 mins bus ride from Takayama

“The riverside open-air bath was amazing. You’re basically bathing in the middle of nature. The attention to detail and hospitality here is incredible.”

Hodakaso Sanganoyu

Hodakaso Sanganoyu

• Intimate high-end ryokan with only 10 rooms
• Private access to the Todo River’s hot springs
• Luxurious rooms exquisitely decorated with traditional art
• Superb multi-course kaiseki dining made with regional ingredients

“Everything about this place is sheer perfection – the hospitality, rooms, meals, baths. Truly a magical oasis that exceeded our high expectations.”

Hoshokaku: Takayama Ryokan

Price: Check price now |Rating: 9/10 (163 reviews on Booking.com)| Book it here: Hoshokaku

• Charming historic ryokan originally built in 1810
• Peaceful open-air bath integrated into a natural cave
• Beautiful rooms featuring folk art by local Takayama artists
• In Takayama’s countryside but only 10 mins to major sights

“Old world charm and wonderful hospitality. Both dinner and breakfast were incredible. The cave onsen was serenely beautiful. The artwork around the ryokan was also a highlight.”

Sumiyoshiya

Price: Check price now | Rating: 9.1/10 (92 reviews on Booking.com) | Book it here: Sumiyoshiya

• Traditional family-run ryokan since 1929
• Hot spring baths including rare carbonated bath
• Airy rooms with nice views of the garden and river
• Offers easy access for day trips across Hida region

“An absolute highlight of our trip! This is the perfect traditional ryokan experience. The family who runs it make you feel incredibly welcome.”

Ready to book your stay at one of these amazing Hida Takayama ryokans? With stunning scenery, peaceful valleys, and authentic towns to explore, a visit here feels like taking a step back in time. Pair that with some of Japan’s best hot spring retreats, and Takayama makes for the ultimate hidden gem destination. Treat yourself to a relaxing getaway at one of these 10 ryokans for memories to last a lifetime!