Ryokan Yatsusankan

This hotel was one of the few Ryokans that truly keep the history alive. From the front desk to the structure of the hotel, I felt like I was taken back in time to the Edo Period. The hospitality of the hotel was like entering into a 5 star hotel. They truly explain the details and try to meet all your needs. The hotel and onsen was absolutely beautiful. The food was the best I've had at a Ryokan so far. This hidden gem is truly a hotel I'd recommend to anyone. The Hida village is an absolute beauty as well, with not too many tourists at the time I went. Everywhere I look was just so mesmerizing. I truly felt spoiled and rested at this Ryokan. This place made my entire Japan trip a memorable one.

Customer Service The customer service from the staff is exceptional. I believe the hotel/staff uses Booking.com as the main communication, after I completed the booking, they sent me a message a few days before the check-in to let me know some basic info. I overlooked it. Otherwise, when you arrived the hotel, there was a staff that showed you around the hotel, introducing you the facilities, the procedures and regulations, what time is dinner/breakfast, what to eat, bathhouse regulations, etc... They will help you with your luggage and as I drove to the hotel, you just need to drive to the front door and they'll help you park the car. Room The room is spacious and clean with separate toilet and shower/bath. If you choose the tatami bed rooms, not to worry about it. Whilst you have your dinner, they will set it up for you so when you return to your room, its well set up. Bathhouse / Onsen They are clean and very comfortable. Obviously there are separate male and female ones with indoor and outdoor available. Two very different settings. We only managed to explore the outdoor ones. For the outdoor ones, they usually change it overnight to give both male and females a different environment and views. I would suggest you to visit it at check-in and go for a quick visit in the morning before you check out. As I only stayed for 1 night, I didn't manage to have time to visit the indoor one. Food I chose the dinner and breakfast option, it was very delicious and well enough to eat. Most of the dishes were small portions but after a few dishes it should be enough. Inside the room there is a biscuit and tea available. Environment There are plenty of resting and lounge areas for you to sit down to read, watch your on tablet or chat with friends/family/partner or simply just zone. There is one big lounge or resting area that has 2 massage chairs, 2 sofas with some basic small massage equipments to massage yourself.

Honestly, I couldn't think of much that I didn't like about it. Perhaps if I really have to be nip picking: Check-in / Check-out Time From 3pm (check-in) to 10am (check-out time) its really hard to enjoy and make the best out of the facilities. Perhaps they can consider during off season or when the occupancy is low can extend the check-out time subject to discretion. However I understand thats the standard check-out time for most Japan hotels. Also with shortening the cleaning time, the rooms and facilities may not be that clean as it is. I really cannot think of much I can complain or dislike about it. If there are, I am really just criticising for the sake of it.

I came here for my birthday. Unfortunately we didn't get there until late around 8pm, due to trains and train problems: they leave Nagoya every 2 hours and ours was delayed (so give yourself time to get there at a reasonable time) {I phoned them to let them know we would be late},you will also need to take a local train from Takayama. It was raining and we were cold and tired. Since we were late I wasn't sure if we would get supper even though I had paid for it. But thankfully we did and the food was excellent! Very fancy! We ate in a private dinning room looking out on to a garden. Our room was excellent! It was quite big for Japan. There was tatami mats, interesting monkey scroll in the alcove, interesting classy furnishings even the bathroom sink was beautiful. The hot springs/ baths were very good , I enjoyed the outdoor ones which had beautiful gardens. I loved wandering the halls of this ryokan lots of traditional architecture and art work (a beautiful folding screen). You really can feel the history of this hotel.

The futon was a little hard for me and I didn't sleep too well, But I think they would have given extra bedding if I asked. The indoor 24 hour bath is not as nice as the main baths.

This ryokan was gorgeous and a place you can really experience Japanese "omotenashi", the service was exceptional. We pulled up in our car to be greeted by someone to welcome us, take our bags, and park the car. We were led into a beautiful waiting room to fill out our paperwork and were given fresh matcha and sweets. Then we were given a lovely tour and found our bags waiting for us in the room, which was massive and beautifully decorated. The onsen was lovely and the relaxation room had free massage chairs to enjoy. The whole ryokan is traditionally decorated and so fun to explore as it seemed there were new rooms and hallways everywhere. The breakfast, both Japanese and western were also delicious. I highly recommend this Ryokan for their stellar service and relaxing atmosphere.

We loved everything about this Ryokan. From the lovely staff to the amazing food. Make sure you come in with an appetite as the dinner and breakfast are very abundant. The thermal bath in our suite was amazing and the amenities very high quality. Couple nice touches: The morning of the check out we found on the breakfast table a printed photo of us taken during dinner by the staff. The staff wanted to take us to the station by car, as it was raining. After we declined, they still waited outside the ryokan gates to make sure we went down the right direction - they waved goodbye at us everytime we looked back. One of the nicest and warmest moments of our trip.

This is a beautiful old, traditional Japanese guest house. It is by the river, opposite an enormous temple in a gorgeous little town of carp filled canals. The staff are incredibly welcoming. The room was large and decorated in a fab teal colour. We looked out over the river. Robes are supplied to wear in the hotel, and large Onsen baths are free to use all day, good fun. Dinner is an event. In a private dining room and nine courses are served impeccably. A lot of fish and Japanese vegetables. Delicious. You pay for any alcohol, but there is an extensive choice. Well worth it for a night to sample Japanese hospitality at its best.

You sleep on a futon that the staff roll out for you while you have dinner. Ok but not as comfy as a mattress!

Great location (few minutes walk from the station). Super friendly, polite and helpful staff (spoke English well and found other means of translating if something wasn’t clear). The building is a beautiful old Ryokan, which met all expectations and ideas of what a proper original ryokan would look like. We even got to try the private onsen (remember to book it in time!) and enjoyed time in the relaxation room. The food experience was just amazing!! We had the Japanese breakfast both mornings and for dinner we had the kaiseki the first night and shabu shabu the second night. The room was also big and beautiful, clean and when we came back from dinner our futon beds had been made. The whole stay from the entering the establishment to our check out will be a memory and experience we will not forget!

It was our first time experiencing sleeping on futons and we conclude that it is not for us. It was a little bit too hard, yet we are happy to have had this experience. Loved the pillows though.

If you would like a traditional Japanese experience, a stay at the Yatsusankan is hard to beat! Our stay at the Yatsusankan was one of the highlights of our trip to Japan.  The 116 year old ryokan is currently managed by the 7th, 8th and 9th generation of the original family. It is an exceptional, authentic and elegant place to stay. (Note that although the building has a long history, it has been tastefully upgraded with modern conveniences and safety precautions which do not detract at all from the authenticity). The ryokan is located in Hida Furukawa, about 15 minutes north of Takayama on the JR line that runs between Nagoya and Toyama. Trains run hourly between the Hida-Furukawa and Takayama so side trips to Takayama and the quant mountain village of Shirakawa (by bus) are easy to arrange. Hida-Furukawa is smaller and quieter than Takayama, with far fewer tourists, which adds to the traditional feel. The staff at the ryokan were amazing. Impeccably dressed in kimonos, they were very friendly and helpful with any matter. A few staff members spoke enough English to make communications easy.  Our room was much larger than most places we have stayed in Japan and had a view of a Buddhist temple across the river. The fact that cherry blossoms were in full bloom added to the beauty. Our Japanese breakfast was amazingly tasty. Each couple or family is escorted to a private dining area, some with a nice garden view.   The men and women's onsen-style bath included an indoor warm and hot pool, and an outdoor hot pool.  The outdoor pool was especially nice because the air temperature was still cool, which made the bath even more relaxing. Separate private baths are available at an extra charge. 

Yatsusankan is well located on Araki River directly opposite Honkoji Temple. It is a very traditional and well-decorated ryokan but with luxury and modern comfort. Dinner and breakfast are included. They are really fantastic both in settings and food quality. We checked in late at night but woke up with the astonishing view of sakura blossoming and the main building of Honkoji Temple. That's really breathtaking. Every hotel staff are so nice and courteous. We walked along Araki River appreciating miles of sakura flowers without meeting any tourist but only few locals.

Nothing literally.

Most of the workers here speak very nice English. They are all very friendly and helpful. The view from the room window is great. Private hot spring bath in room is just awesome. I love the details, like the tea incense burner in the room, interesting wooden toys in the public restroom, etc. (If you visit the Takumikan Craft Museum, you would know how to solve the wooden puzzle ^^). I enjoy my staying here a lot. It is a traditional Onsen hotel with modern equipments, but not too modern. And the town remains the traditional architectures, but with cozy atmosphere, and not too touristy.

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