Winter in Japan | Takayama Hotel Review: Ryokan Asunaro
Japan Winter Itinerary Part 7. Where to Stay in Takayama
Takayama Hotel: Ryokan Asunaro
- Star Ratings: 4 stars
- Room type: Japanese style with Private Bath
- Wi-fi: Complimentary
- Parking: Complimentary
- Meals: Japanese style breakfast included. Kaiseki ryori available upon request at additional charge.
- Amenities: Tatami floor, Futon beds, yukata, Japanese bidet, TV, mini-bar, electric kettle, hairdryer, toiletry, complimentary bottle of water
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Disclosure: I did NOT receive any compensation or complimentary stay at any of the hotels in this article. However, this article contains affiliate links. If you purchase by clicking these links, I may receive a small commission, at no additional cost to you. Click here to read the full disclaimer.
This post is part of the Winter in Japan Series:
- Part 1. Things to Do in Kanazawa in Two Days
- Part 2. Behind the Closed Doors of Geisha House in Kanazawa
- Part 3. Where to Stay in Kanazawa: Kanazawa Hotel Review
- Part 4. Things to Do in Toyama: Toyama City Guide for the First-timers
- Part 5. Shirakawago Winter Light Up Festival
- Part 6. Where to Stay in Takayama: Takayama Hotel Review
- Part 7. What to Expect from Traditional Japanese Ryokan Stay
- Part 8. What to Wear in Japan: Japan Winter Season Edition
Ryokan Asunaro is a high-end traditional Japanse ryokan in Hida Takayama. This cozy yet luxury hotel is perfect for travelers to the Japanese Alps — also known as the Hida Mountains — to relax and recharge while experiencing Japanese hospitality at its perfection. Its state-of-art kaiseki ryori menu includes famous Takayama food such as Hida beef, Ikemori-namasu and Hoda miso.
↡↡Where to Stay in Takayama? Book Your Stay Here! ↡↡
Convenient Location
It is conveniently located 5-min walk away from Takayama bus terminal and within walking distance to the morning market, Old Town and Takayama Jinya. More importantly for us, Ryokan Asunaro is in Takayama, the city only one hour away from Shirakawago.
Initially, Takayama was not part of our Kanazawa–Toyama–Shirakawago itinerary. We stayed in Takayama because we, like many other travelers, couldn’t find any accommodation in Shirakawago during its popular Winter Light Up festival.
If you are interested in making a day trip from Takayama to Shirakawago, read my other post – All you need to know about Shirakawago Winter Light Up and What to Do in Shirakawago.
Beautifully Decorated Ryokan
Regardless, I immediately fell in love with this Takayama ryokan the moment I walked in through the sliding entrance doors. The exposed beams and logs across the high ceiling, an open fireplace, and rocking chairs create a cozy atmosphere. It feels like a high-end cabin in the mountain, Japanese style.
I particularly liked the open fireplace, called irori (photo above). Traditionally, its purpose is to heat the room and cook. It works as a nice nook to drink tea or coffee in yukata by the warm fireplace, sitting on the floor cushion.
The lobby was decorated with Hana mochi (flower rice; photo above) at the time we visited. It is Takayama’s unique winter tradition that dates back centuries. Because there are not many flowers in winter in Takayama, locals started decorated their house with Hana mochi representing the white colors of the season.
The hallway was full of various decor items. From a massive bronze dragon head statue to traditional masks to fans to wooden dogs, I wanted to bring all of them home to recreate this space. It also was a telltale sign of how this Takayama hotel pays attention to every nook and crannies.
