Review: Ryokan Asunaro, Takayama, Japan

This traditional inn is right in the center of Takayama, a popular mountain town in central Japan.

Housed inside an old wooden building, the ryokan is old school cool to a tee. You’ll need to remove your shoes at the door, and there are robes available for guests to wear during their stay.

There is also an onsen downstairs, a traditional hot spring that functions like a communal bath. The one here is small, but well made, with good facilities.

Rooms vary according to which one you book, but the traditional tatami rooms are spacious and calm. Tatami are the bamboo mats common throughout Japan, and beds are firm mattresses spread out on the floor.

If you’ve been to Japan before you will be used to the arrangements, but for first-time visitors it can seem unusual to sleep on a thin mattress on the floor. Most people soon get used to it, though.

We didn’t eat in the hotel, but there are set dinners every night if you don’t want to venture into town. The staff was helpful and friendly, with a good level of English. Feel free to ask for recommendations about what to do in Takayama, too.

Overall, this was a great experience and I would heartily recommend Ryokan Asunaro.

Ryokan Asunaro

2 Chome-96-2 Hatsudamachi
Yakayama, Gifu 506-0008
Japan
tel 81 5777 33 5551