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Looking for the Best Ryokan in Takayama?

Looking for the best ryokan in Takayama? Discover my top 5 traditional stays with onsen and kaiseki dining, plus other unique guesthouses for a memorable trip.

If you’re planning a trip to the Japanese Alps, staying in a ryokan in Takayama is one of the most authentic experiences you can have.

I’m from Madrid, but because one of my best friends is half Japanese, I’ve been coming to Japan since college, and no matter how many times I return, Japan always feels extra special.

Takayama is a charming town that feels like stepping back in time with its beautifully preserved old streets and morning markets. Traveling here usually takes a while so spending the night in a traditional ryokan here is very recommended!

Sleeping on tatami mats, soaking in a relaxing onsen, and enjoying an elaborate kaiseki dinner that feels like art on a plate.

In this guide, I’ve handpicked the best ryokans in Takayama that are my personal favorite for their authenticity, the warmth of the owners and the tradition.

If you are visiting Kyoto, Osaka or Tokyo afterwards, you can’t miss the most unique ryokans and places to stay there!

I’ve also added a few of my favorite local experiences in Takayama and excursions so you can make the most of your time in this beautiful city full of tradition, definitely one of my favorite in Japan!

⛩️ If you’re planning a trip around Japan, don’t miss my insider Japan travel guide with a 10-day or 14-day itinerary to help you plan the perfect adventure. 🇯🇵

⛩️ For more beautiful hotel guides around Japan, make sure to check out my full page about Unique Hotels in Japan! 🇯🇵

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Explore my website to learn more about who I help, discover the most unique places to stay, the best travel guides and inspiring travel stories!Thank you for being here!

entrance facade machiyado ichiryu ryokan takayama japan
Entrance at Machiyado Ichiryu Ryokan in Takayama

Getting to and Around Takayama, Japan

How to get to Takayama, Japan

🚂 By Train

Takayama is tucked away in the Japanese Alps, but getting there is easier than it looks. Most travelers arrive from Tokyo, Nagoya, or Kyoto/Osaka.

From Tokyo: Take the JR Tokaido Shinkansen (about 1 hr 40 min) to Nagoya, then transfer to the JR Hida Limited Express Wide View train to Takayama (about 2 hrs 20 min). Total: around 4 hours.

From Kyoto or Osaka: Take the Shinkansen to Nagoya (about 35–50 min), then hop on the Hida Limited Express to Takayama (about 2 hrs 20 min).

From Nagoya: The most direct route – just board the Hida Limited Express straight to Takayama in about 2 hrs 20 min. I always recommend booking a Japan Rail Pass if you plan to travel to several cities, it makes life so much easier. I usually buy it my tickets here in advance!

👉 Tip: If you’re planning to explore more of the Japanese Alps (Shirakawa-go, Kanazawa, etc.), the Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass can save you money on trains and buses.

Renting a Car in Takayama

While you don’t need a car to explore Takayama itself (the town is small and walkable), renting one can be a great idea if you want to visit the surrounding Japanese Alps at your own pace. Places like Shirakawa-go, Okuhida Onsen Villages, or even a scenic drive through the mountains are much easier and more flexible with a car.

  • Just remember: in Japan they drive on the left, and you’ll need an International Driving Permit to rent a car as a foreigner.
best car rentals in kyoto
🚙 Recommendation: Opt for Toyota Rent-a-Car or Times Car Rental.

Preview Map of the most Unique and BEST Ryokans in Takayama, Japan

Where to Stay in Takayama: 5 BEST Ryokans in Takayama, Japan

1. Iroriyado Hidaya

Gifu, Takayama, Japan
From 350€/night, 1-6 pax

  • A cozy Japanese-style room at the Best Ryokan in Takayama features tatami mats, a low table with cushions, a suspended kettle over a hearth, and a bed beneath shoji screens. Soft lighting creates a warm, inviting atmosphere.
  • A warmly lit traditional Japanese inn entrance at night showcases wooden architecture, paper lanterns, a noren curtain, and plants beside the stone path—inviting you to experience the Best Ryokan in Takayama.
  • A traditional Japanese entryway reminiscent of the Best Ryokan in Takayama, featuring wooden beams, a decorative rug, fresh flowers, and neatly placed slippers. Shelves lined with books and artwork complete the welcoming atmosphere.
  • A traditional Japanese wooden bathhouse interior at one of the best ryokan in Takayama, featuring a large rectangular hot tub, two shower stations with stools and mirrors, and warm lighting that creates a cozy atmosphere.

If you are looking for the best ryokan in Takayama, Iroriyado feels like pure magic. The historical building is beautiful and perfectly maintained, the futons are super comfy, and the onsen baths are spotless. What really makes it special though is the staff, they go out of their way to make you feel at home, help with little details like restaurant bookings, and even offer a kimono experience.

Breakfast is delicious, and the onsen is included in the stay. If you’re looking for an authentic Japanese experience, this is the place!

Book Iroriyado Hidaya

2. Sumiyoshi Ryokan

Gifu, Takayama, Japan
From 150€/night, 1-5 pax

  • A traditional Japanese room with tatami mats, sliding shoji doors, wooden furniture, and minimal decor creates a calm and serene atmosphere, echoing the tranquil style of the best ryokan in Takayama.
  • A warm, inviting entrance to a traditional Japanese room at the best ryokan in Takayama features wooden sliding doors, a blue noren curtain with white patterns, tatami mats, and soft lantern lighting. A vase with branches decorates the entryway.
  • A traditional Japanese room with tatami mats, a low wooden table, and chairs. Sliding shoji doors open to a garden view. Natural light fills this serene space, capturing the essence of the Best Ryokan in Takayama experience.
  • Traditional Japanese tatami room inspired by the Best Ryokan in Takayama, with a red kotatsu table, patterned cloth, sliding shoji doors, wooden shelves, pottery jar, decorative items, and blue and cream-colored walls.

Staying here feels like stepping back in time in the best possible way. This family-run ryokan is warm, homely, and filled with antiques that make it feel like a living museum. The hosts are incredibly kind and attentive, always ready to help, and they welcome you with tea and sweets on arrival. The highlight is the food: multi-course kaiseki dinners and beautifully presented breakfasts.

With a central location right by the river and Takayama’s old town just a short walk away, this ryokan is one of the most authentic and best ryokans in Takayama.

Book Sumiyoshi Ryokan

3. Ryokan Asunaro

Gifu, Takayama, Japan
From 200€/night, 1-6 pax

  • Two people stand smiling in front of a traditional Japanese wooden building with a tiled roof, known as the Best Ryokan in Takayama. One wears a kimono and the other a suit. Signs beside them display Japanese text and the word Asunaro.
  • A spacious traditional Japanese tatami room at one of the Best Ryokan in Takayama, featuring a low table with floor chairs and two beds beside a large window with shoji screens. Warm lighting creates a cozy atmosphere.
  • A traditional Japanese bathhouse at the Best Ryokan in Takayama, featuring wooden walls and ceiling, shower stations with stools and mirrors on the left, yellow buckets on the floor, and a large soaking tub at the back. The warm lighting is inviting.
  • Traditional Japanese room with exposed wooden beams, tatami mats, low tables, an irori hearth, and shoji screens—evoking the cozy, rustic atmosphere of the Best Ryokan in Takayama. Shelves hold neatly folded fabrics on one side.

A charming and authentic traditional ryokan in the heart of Takayama. Feel like a Japanese sleeping on tatami mats, wearing yukatas, and relaxing in the onsen. The rooms are spacious and cozy, while the reception and dining areas are beautifully decorated, creating an elegant yet homely atmosphere. Both breakfast and dinner are highly praised, with elaborate multi-course Japanese meals.

The location is also excellent, just a short walk from Takayama’s train and bus stations, making it ideal for travelers arriving by public transport. With authentic spaces and lovely staff, Asunaro Ryokan is definitely one of my favorite and best ryokans in Takayama.

Book Ryokan Asunaro

4. Machiyado Ichiryu

Gifu, Takayama, Japan
From 400€/night, 1-5 pax

  • Entrance to the Best Ryokan in Takayama features a tiled roof, a white fabric curtain adorned with Japanese calligraphy, a stone pathway, and decorative rocks and plants flanking either side.
  • japanese breakfast at machiyado ichiryu, the best ryokan in takayama
  • A traditional Japanese room at the Best Ryokan in Takayama, featuring a sunken hearth encircled by woven straw cushions. A pot hangs over the fire, with dim lighting, dark wood floors, and a decorative folding screen in the background.
  • A serene indoor Japanese-style bath at the Best Ryokan in Takayama, featuring wooden trim, soft lighting, and large windows overlooking lush green plants for a tranquil and relaxing atmosphere.

We stayed here during our visit to Takayama, and it was an absolutely incredible experience. This boutique ryokan is an oasis of luxury right in the center of town, but set on a quiet street, only steps from the main sights you will visit. The rooms are big, beautifully designed and some even come with a private onsen for the ultimate treat. The staff is so kind and went above and beyond to make our stay memorable.

The ryokan also gives you the option to enjoy exquisite kaiseki dinners, the best we had in Japan, in a beautifully restored machiya house. You won’t regret staying at Machiyado Ichiryu, an unforgettable highlight of any trip to this lovely city and for me, the best ryokan in Takayama!

Book Machiyado Ichiryu

5. Ryokan Kaminaka

Gifu, Takayama, Japan
From 150€/night

  • A warmly lit sign for Japanese Traditional Inn KAMINAKA, known as one of the Best Ryokan in Takayama, hangs under a traditional tiled roof at night, with glowing lanterns above and green foliage in the foreground.
  • A traditional Japanese room at the Best Ryokan in Takayama with two futons on tatami mats, pink floral quilts, and shoji doors opening to rooftop views. A small TV and flower arrangement add charm in the corner.
  • Small indoor pool with clear water, surrounded by white and light blue tiled walls. Water flows gently from a spout set into the wall, creating slight ripples—an inviting retreat at the Best Ryokan in Takayama.
  • A traditional Japanese room at the Best Ryokan in Takayama features tatami mats, a low wooden table, floor cushions, sliding shoji doors, a small TV, and sunlight streaming through wooden lattice windows with elegant decor and calligraphy.

If you’re looking for an authentic but affordable stay in Takayama, Ryokan Kaminaka is perfect! Housed in a beautifully preserved traditional building with tatami mats, sliding paper doors, and warm wooden interiors, it feels like staying at your lovingly Japanese grandmother’s beautiful home. I love their homey atmosphere and the kindness of the hosts, who make you feel genuinely welcome from the moment you arrive.

The Japanese breakfast here is also a highlight: delicious, beautifully presented, and served with care. With only a handful of rooms, you can also enjoy the onsen in privacy, and yukatas are provided for that full traditional experience. Highly recommended and definitely one of the best ryokans in Takayama.

Book Ryokan Kaminaka

Other Unique Ryokans in Takayama, Japan

If you’re still looking for the BEST ryokan in Takayama, here are some other amazing and unique stays worth checking out:

  • Luxury stay for families: Honjin Hiranoya Kachoan – A refined and elegant ryokan perfect if you’re traveling with kids or extended family but still want a luxurious Japanese experience.
  • Charming city-center ryokans: Oyado Koto No Yume and Ryokan Tanabe 旅館田邊 are both fantastic options right in the heart of Takayama, with traditional tatami rooms and warm hospitality.
  • Private villas for large groups or families: If you prefer more space, book a private villa like お宿一の華 (sleeps 11), HIDA TAKAYAMA BASE: a Traditional Japanese Garage House with Private Sauna, or one of the IORI Stays for a more independent but still authentic experience.
  • Unique ryokans around Takayama: For something extra special, Yunohirakan offers a peaceful retreat, while Wanosato (Michelin Key awarded) is an unforgettable luxury stay in a 160-year-old Gassho-zukuri thatched-roof house hidden in the woods. And don’t miss SOY, a small ryokan with an outstanding 9.9 guest rating that’s all about warmth, design, and authenticity.
  • Adults-only ryokan near Takayama: Hidaji
japanese breakfast at machiyado ichiryu, the best ryokan in takayama

Other Things to Know about Visiting Takayama, Japan

BEST Things to Do in Takayama

🍣 Food Experiences in Takayama

🌿 Best Day Trips from Takayama

Haven’t found your ideal tour? Click here for other highly-rated tours and experiences in Takayama, Japan️

Best eSIM Option in Japan

We use this eSIM during our trips to Japan and it makes a world of difference! Instead of searching for local SIM cards or worrying about unreliable WiFi, it activates instantly, is very affordable, and keeps us connected for whatever we need.

best esim in japan

Traveling around Japan and Final Thoughts

⛩️ If you’re planning a trip around Japan, don’t miss my insider Japan travel guide with a 10-day or 14-day itinerary to help you plan the perfect adventure. 🇯🇵

⛩️ For more beautiful hotel guides around Japan, make sure to check out my full page aboutUnique Hotels in Japan! 🇯🇵

Have an amazing trip in Takayama!
Irene

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