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Asunaro

Asunaro Ryokan

Takayama, Japan

This ryokan is situated in an over 150-year-old traditional building, that was once a wealthy farmer's house. Upon arrival, guests are served coffee while gathered around the original farmhouse hearth.

This family-run, small-scale ryokan offers the high levels of omotenashi (Japanese hospitality), incredible high-end food and of course the opportunity to enjoy traditional onsen hot spring bathing in the communal (split by gender) natural indoor hot spring baths. It's the perfect way to soak in the samurai-era atmosphere of Takayama city.

OUR OPINION:

The Asunaro is a great opportunity to experience a charming, family-run ryokan in a beautiful alpine setting. It's not as luxurious as some of the other ryokan available in the city, but it makes up for it in personality.

OUR RATING: Medium

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Excellent

Rooms

There are 19 Japanese-style guest rooms at Asunaro, five of which have their own Japanese style 'irori' (hearth) similar to the one in the lobby. Each room type features the typical aspects of ryokan decoration, with tatami flooring, shoji screen (sliding doors) and futon mattresses. You’ll enjoy your exquisite meal in your room. The strong aesthetic is found throughout the hotel, with old wood, Japanese paintings and local arts and crafts decorating the communal spaces.

Location

This architectural gem is located in a quiet neighbourhood, but within walking distance (10 minutes) or short taxi to the preserved, traditional heart of Takayama and train station. The friendly family who run Asunaro are usually able to drive you to the station on check-out. There are plenty of excellent restaurants within walking distance.

Food and drink

A big part of the ryokan experience is the luxury Kaiseki style meals — both breakfast and dinner will be in the form of set menus consisting of many small Japanese delicacies, focusing on seasonal and regional ingredients. Each dish is half haute cuisine and half work of art. Normally Kaiseki is compulsory for each evening, but a great opportunity at Asunaro is to have Kaiseki one night and the next night visit one of the many excellent restaurants — such as Kyoya, located in a traditional building with an excellent ‘local’ atmosphere and a menu that focuses on regional ingredients, including the signature dish ‘Hoba Miso’, local high-grade beef mixed with miso and cooked at your table on a leaf over a specific candle-heater.

Families

As with all ryokan, the traditional way is for families to stay in one room together, each with their own futon mattress.

Facilities and activities

  • Indoor onsen baths
  • Bikes available to rent
  • On-site parking

Accessibility

Since this is a traditional style building, it doesn't have accessible rooms, and has high level changes which may be difficult to manoeuvre in a wheelchair.

Tour ideas in Takayama

Our itineraries are there to spark ideas for how you could include a stay at Asunaro Ryokan as part of your trip. Treat them simply as suggestions, because every aspect of the trip we create for you will be yours to define.

Location & places nearby

Places & hotels on the map

    Alternative places to stay nearby

    Where possible, we like to offer a range of accommodation for each stop of your trip, chosen by our specialists as some of their favourite places to stay. To help you make the right choice, we give each property a rating based on its facilities and service, but we also look for hotels with distinct character or a location that can't be bettered.

    Experiences while staying here

    The following activities are designed to give you the most authentic experiences of the area where you're staying. We work with local guides, who use their knowledge and often a resident's eye to show you the main sights and more out-of-the-way attractions. Our specialists can also suggest outdoor pursuits and activities, such as cooking classes, that will introduce you to the traditions of the area's inhabitants.

    • Takayama Visit
      Hida Folk Village, near Takayama

      Takayama Visit

      Takayama Visit

      After exploring the old streets and museums of Sanmachi District, head out on the trail around the many temples and shrines of Teramachi, before strolling through Shiroyama Park. You should also attempt to fit in a visit to the open-air museum of Hida Folk Village.

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    Takayama and nearby places