HONJIN HIRANOYA KACHOAN

One of the highlights of our trip to Japan! The ryokan was incredibly comfortable and clean, and the service was top-notch. The free pick-up and drop-off at the station was a huge plus, and both dinner and breakfast were absolutely delicious and plentiful. It was fantastic! We'll definitely be staying here again next time we're in Takayama.

The room was spacious and had a jacuzzi, which was a big plus. The staff were excellent and very attentive. Both breakfast and dinner were great, with a nice sense of occasion. The food tasted pretty good too. Definitely worth a visit!

Environment: This is probably the best quality hotel in the area. The location is unbeatable, right in the heart of Takayama, just a five-minute walk from the popular Miyagawa Morning Market and Takayama Jinya. It's also within walking distance of Hida-Furukawa Station (a pilgrimage site for 'Your Name' fans) and Hie Shrine. Their annex is directly across the street, offering a different experience with its rooftop onsen, which you can use. Facilities: The main building's decor is very vintage. The hallways are filled with exquisite doll figurines, but don't worry, they're not the creepy kind! 😉 In fact, they're so beautifully crafted, you'll want one for yourself. The rooms are traditional tatami style, and you can tell the materials used are high-quality. I also have to mention the balcony in the room was stocked with plenty of bottled water, which is something I rarely see after many years of traveling in Japan. However, because Hanakouan is located in the city center, to protect privacy, there's no open-air *rotenburo* for women. This was slightly less than expected. Dining: This hotel offers a dinner and breakfast package (half-board), and we booked meals for both nights of our stay. They thoughtfully inquired about allergies beforehand, and even made special adjustments to the children's meals, such as swapping sashimi for grilled fish. The entire dining experience was guided by a very attentive Burmese staff member, and the food was exquisite. We particularly enjoyed the excellent Hida beef. I highly recommend booking the half-board option here.

First off, I have to say the hotel staff were fantastic. We were greeted with a drum performance upon entering, which was a lovely touch. We were also picked up from Takayama Station in a high-end Toyota by a suited driver – talk about VIP treatment! All the staff were incredibly warm and friendly, and they spent about half an hour explaining all the hotel services to us. My only slight complaint is about the onsen facilities. Besides one small one, we had to go to the hotel across the street to use the others, and they weren't very big. A minor point, but worth mentioning. The 'one night, two meals' dining package was exceptional. The Hida beef kaiseki dinner we booked was incredibly lavish, a feast for both the eyes and the palate. Breakfast was also very extensive. It definitely feels like a hotel with a rich history. We bought a lot of local Takayama specialties from the hotel's gift shop. The hotel is currently undergoing an expansion, so the view from our window was partially obstructed by a crane. However, it snowed at night, and seeing the white roofs of Takayama's streets created a beautiful, Edo-period atmosphere. Highly recommend! The hotel's service is top-notch, especially the friendly driver who chatted with us in English and even gave us recommendations at the station. It truly felt like experiencing high-end Japanese hospitality.

November 25, 2025 This was the most expensive and luxurious hotel I've ever stayed at. I was assigned to a 'Jing Suite' in the 'Kou Chu Jing' series. Although these suites aren't as newly renovated as the 'Heki Suites,' they come with a jacuzzi! I didn't even bother with the hotel's onsen because of it. My first jacuzzi experience was absolutely amazing. You pull down the blinds, lie back, and watch the small TV in the opposite bathroom, while powerful jets massage your feet. The toiletries were all Sekkisei or POLA (for use in the hotel only, not to be taken). All the drinks in the mini-fridge were complimentary and could be taken with you. Plus, there was a capsule coffee machine in the room with four free capsule coffee flavors. The view from the living room was fantastic. The toilet and bathroom were two separate rooms; the bathroom was closer to the bedroom, while the toilet was next to the living room outside. It had a motion-sensing light, so if you sat there for too long, you'd have to move or the light would turn off by itself 🤣. I called the hotel three days in advance to pay for an upgrade to the highest-tier 'All Hida Beef Dinner.' All the ingredients were Hida beef, and the menu even listed the cow's name and origin. You could also order à la carte from the hotel's partner sushi restaurant; I added sashimi and vinegar crab, and I was absolutely stuffed. Since I contacted them in advance, they provided a complimentary shuttle service to and from Takayama Station. Upon arrival at 12:30 PM, it was a mini-bus, and the driver (a kind older gentleman) was easy to spot, holding a whiteboard with my name written on it. For departure at around 2:00 PM, it was a fancy black sedan, which looked super luxurious. The Nepalese staff member, dressed in a kimono, escorted me to the room and explained everything in detail. The restaurant also had private rooms. For breakfast, you could choose between Japanese or Western. After much deliberation, I opted for the safe and popular Western breakfast because some of the ingredients in the Japanese breakfast were a bit too healthy and exotic for my taste. The most memorable item was the hotel's dashi-rolled omelet, which was incredibly delicious. Milk, orange juice, and tea were all free and unlimited during breakfast. It truly showed that you get what you pay for!