Stay in an authentic Japanese ryokan at Hoshokaku, Takayama

Set on the hillside above Shiroyama Park and the historic Takayama Castle, our ryokan is designed with local traditions in mind.

We offer guests a taste of authentic Japanese culture; they can choose to stay in a Japanese-style room with a futon, try local food and bathe in the onsen – large open-air baths separated for men and women, made of cypress wood and stone. We also have a foot bath overlooking the city on the fifth floor, and a female-only ‘orihime’ relaxation room with separate onsen.

The architecture is typical of the Hida region, with furnishings by local craftsmen, wooden beams beneath the ceiling and tatami mats laid out across the floor. In keeping with a traditional Japanese house, guests are asked to remove their shoes when they enter, and all of our staff come from Hida, which gives them a chance to learn more about local culture.

Meals are served in traditional Japanese style, with local dishes such as Hida beef, freshwater fish and edible wild plants served on an individual tray.

Breakfast is served a la carte, with set Japanese menus changing daily. Among our specialtiies is Hoba miso – pickles served on a dried magnolia leaf, topped with miso and baked. We also offer a western breakfast.

We have 61 rooms in total, including four western-style rooms with double beds. Some have their own private onsen, and many overlook the park, so you can see cherry blossoms in spring, fresh greenery in summer and colourful maple leaves in autumn. On the other side, rooms overlook the city skyline, which is beautiful too.

We’re ideally located for exploring Hida’s historic streets and sampling local food, with museums such as Takayama Jinya and Takayama Yatai Kaikan a few minutes’ walk away. But what our guests love most about the property is the chance to experience real Hida culture in a peaceful setting where they can switch off and unwind, while learning more about the region and our way of life here.