What kind of luxury onsen ryokan is Hidatei Hanaougi?
In the cold winter of December, we decided to take a hot spring trip to Hida Takayama. For those of us living in Tokyo, Hida Takayama is far away, but there are several ryokan that are worth the trouble to visit and stay at. This time we stayed at one of them, Hidatei Hanaougi. I am going straight to the point, we were very satisfied with the sophisticated ambience, service, facilities, hot springs, and hospitality, despite being in the countryside. This time, we were especially pleased with the hospitality of staff since we were with small children.
We took the Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Nagoya Station with our two small children. It was just time for lunch, so we had Nagoya’s specialty, Miso Katsu, at a restaurant in Nagoya Station. After that, from there we took the limited express train and got off at Takayama Station. It took less than 3 hours. We then went to the west exit of Takayama Station and took a free shuttle bus to the ryokan at 15:00. The white shuttle bus is labeled Hidatei-Hanaougi, so you can easily recognize it.
The ryokan was located in a rural residential area. A magnificent red pine tree had been planted at the entrance and a traditional torch was lit. Passing through a wooden path in a well-maintained garden, we saw the entrance. Once inside, we entered a spacious lobby, where we took off our shoes, feeling the fragrance of the tea stove. The staff greeted us warmly. The spacious lobby was decorated with furniture, decorations, and furnishings from the Hida Takayama region, and the floor was all covered with tatami mats. The lobby, hallways, stepped and elevators all had tatami mat floors. There was also a large sunken hearth called irori. We sat down on a sofa in the lobby and went through check-in procedures. We could choose from beer, orange juice, apple juice, coffee, black tea, and green tea as welcome drinks. In front of the lobby, under a wooden bridge, there was a large artificial pond with many magnificent Nishiki-koi swimming in it. The children were excited to watch the swimming Nishikikoi from the lobby.
After a while, a staff member escorted us to our room. This time we stayed in a Japanese-style room with a private outdoor hot spring bath on the first floor. When we were shown to our room, we found a Japanese-style room with an alcove called tokonoma decorated with pine trees and chrysanthemum flowers, another Japanese-style room with a modern sofa and a table made of stumps in the back, and a bedroom with twin beds on tatami mats next to it. Shoji doors opened onto a wooden terrace with a small Japanese garden and a private outdoor hot spring bath. Two deck chairs were also placed next to the private outdoor bath. The room was excellent, although perhaps too spacious for a family of four.
We sat on the deck chairs on the terrace for a while, drinking Japanese tea and looking at the small garden. It was small, but the quaint moss-covered stone lanterns, stone pavement, and traditional tile walls created a tasteful ambience. A camellia tree with elegant pink flowers was planted on the left edge of the garden. How lovely and beautiful were the camellia flowers that fall on the green moss. As we sat in the sun on the terrace, some sparrows came and hopped around on the moss-covered ground. They seemed happy to see us, as if they were welcoming our visit all the way from Tokyo.
Then, the kids wanted to see the Nishiki-koi, so we decided to go to the footbath in the lobby. As we stepped out of the lobby, we could hear the sound of running water. We looked down from the wooden bridge over the pond and saw the sparkling surface of the pond, with brightly colored red, yellow, and orange Nishiki-koi swimming gracefully in the water. We took a bath in the footbath next to the pond and stood in a daze for a while. The sun had been shining earlier, but it gradually became cloudy and chilly as the wind picked up. We went back to our room and enjoy the private hot spring to warm up our chilled bodies.
The time spent soaking in the high-quality outdoor hot spring bath with a view of the small Japanese garden was an irreplaceable luxury. This ryokan and its sister ryokan are probably the only ryokans in the Takayama Station area that offer such a wonderful private onsen experience.
After soaking in the private outdoor hot spring, we were feeling hungry. We headed to a dining area on the first floor. The place for dinner is probably divided into private dining rooms or room meals, depending on the room you are staying in. When we went to the dining area, the hallway was decorated with bamboo walled called Inuyarai, lattice windows, and traditional lanterns, creating an ambience similar to that of Ponto-cho in Kyoto.
The kaiseki dinner was a refined and elaborate array of dishes. Fresh local wild vegetables and river fish swimming in clear streams were used. Hida beef roast and steak were especially delicious. Since we had come all the way to Hida beef production area, we ordered additional Hida beef sushi. Words cannot describe the exquisite taste of the Hida beef in my mouth. We also ordered meals for the children. Hamburgers and fried chicken were provided.
After dinner we went back to our room, the kids were tired and went to bed so we decided to go to communal hot spring baths. Once inside, I found that a large changing room was also covered with tatami mats. There was a large indoor bath, an outdoor bath made of rocks, and a sauna. From the outdoor bath, I could see a Japanese garden, and the night breeze was very pleasant. It was nothing short of paradise. The quality of the spring water was excellent, which is very rare in ryokans in Takayama City. It was smooth to the touch and moisturized my skin.
After a relaxing soak in the communal hot spring baths, we were feeling a little hungry, so we decided to try a small ramen noodle shop called ramen bar in front of the communal bath area. The ramen noodle is soy sauce flavored and you can choose between a large portion, one serving or half a serving. The price was about JPY1,000 for a large portion. They also had beer, local Japanese sake, and shochu available. It was a great place to have an evening meal after soaking in the hot spring baths.
The next morning, we woke up a little after 6:00 a.m. and took a dip in the private outdoor hot spring bath on the terrace with the children. It was a cold, almost snowy morning, so the steam from the hot spring was rising higher than usual. As I gazed at the garden in the morning sun, I saw a beautiful little blue bird happily walking on a frosty soil. It was the first bird I had ever seen, although it soon disappeared, probably due to the sound of children’s voice.
Then we had a Japanese breakfast at 7:00. Breakfast was at the same place as dinner. It was a standard ryokan breakfast menu, but the local vegetables, tofu, miso, and Japanese pepper enhanced the flavor of the dish. After breakfast, we went to a morning market. It is located about 10 minutes away by free shuttle bus from the ryokan. Local vegetables, fruits, and specialties were on display. There were also soft-serve ice cream made with Hida’s local sake, Hida beef steam buns, Hida beef croquettes, etc. Then, after the morning market, we returned to the ryokan, relaxed in our room, checked out before 11:00, and left here.
The only drawback is that the ryokan is a bit far from Takayama Station. It takes less than 10 minutes by shuttle bus. There is a free shuttle service between the ryokan and the Station, so it should not be inconvenient. The free shuttle service runs from 7:50 to 11:10 and from 14:30 to 17:30.
Check Availability and Pricing for the property on Agoda
TOP5 Best Ryokans with Private Onsen in Hida Takayama, Gifu
TOP5 Best Ryokans for Families in Hida Takayama, Gifu
TOP5 Best Gourmet Ryokans in Hida Takayama, Gifu
TOP5 Most Expensive Ryokans in Hida Takayama, Gifu
Is the location easy to access?
Free shuttle service is available from Takayama Station every 30 minutes between 14:00 and 17:30. You need to book it in advance. It is less than 10 minutes by shuttle bus from the station.
Rooms I would recommend?
If you are going to stay here, I would recommend a room with a private outdoor hot spring bath on 1F.
Where is the best accommodation for anniversaries in Takayama?
If you are looking for a nice place for a special day, this property is probably one of the best. If you request it in advance, the staff can arrange a cake for your anniversary for an additional fee.
How about toiletries & in-room amenities?
All of the amenities are taken care of including enough toiletries, yukatas, bathrobes, and a green tea set, etc. Room service is not available. There is a vending machine for drinks. There is a convenience store within 5min walking. *Please note that food and drink from outside are prohibited except baby food. Then Free Wifi reception was good in the property. Also, humidifiers, DVD players, and bicycles are available for borrowing if you request.
How about In-house Facilities?
There are wonderful communal hot spring baths. They are open from 5:00-9:30, 15:00-24:00. Also, there is a private family hot spring bath. It costs 3,240JPY for 50min and open from 15:00-23:00. On top of that, you can use communal hot spring baths in the sister ryokan, Hanaougi Bettei Iiyama nearby.
*Please note that if you have tattoos, use the reserved private family hot spring bath, or book a room with a private hot spring bath.
Then Hidatei Hanaougi is not a perfect universal design but there are very few steps. Wheelchairs are available for borrowing. There are lifts in the building. If you bring people with weak legs, you may want to inform the staff in advance as they can arrange a room near the lift.
TOP5 Best Accessible Ryokans in Hida Takayama, Gifu
How about meals?
The kaiseki dinner was wonderful. Hida beef, fish, vegetables, etc. were all local high quality ingredients. The portion was also large. Please go there with an empty stomach. All meals are served in private dining rooms or in your room. Breakfast starts between 7:00 and 8:00 am. Dinner starts between 18:00 and 19:00. If you wish to have dinner at the ryokan, you need to check in before 18:00.
If you have any food allergies, please write them in a comment box when you book a room with meals. They probably wouldn’t be able to prepare alternative food if you request on that day.
Then, as far as I know, there is no restaurant near the property, but there are some restaurants around Takayama Station. It takes 10 minutes by cab, about JPY1000.
My impressions
Overall, the staff was professional and the hospitality was excellent. It was difficult to get around with two small children, but they were very attentive to our needs, carrying our luggage and strollers, and providing amenities and toys for the children in advance. Although there were more children and groups than at the sister ryokan next door, we loved the serene environment and the Japanese-style twin room with the private onsen with the small Japanese garden where we stayed. Next time we would like to visit during the season of fresh greenery and autumn leaves.
Finally, this property is very popular throughout the year. If you want to stay in a relaxed ambience, you may want to avoid Chinese New Year, late April to early May, weekends in October and November, and the year-end and New Year’s holidays.
Have a nice trip! Welcome to receive any questions about Hidatei Hanaougi from the below space. Check Availability and Pricing for the property on Agoda
Info about Hidatei Hanaougi
| Style | Luxury Onsen Ryokan |
|---|---|
| Check-in and out times |
14:00/11:00 |
| Estimated Price | 60,000 JPY for 2 adults per room |
| Contact | mail@hanaougi.co.jp |
| Internet Connection | Free Wifi in the ryokan |
| Facility Information | Wheelchairs are almost available Pets are not allowed The free parking lot is available |
| Location | Hidatei Hanaougi’s MAP |
| Access | Free shuttle service from Takayama Station |
| Address and TEL | Tel +81 |
| Official Homepage | Hidatei Hanaougi’s HP |
*All information above is as of the date that I posted on my blog.
Still not sure where to stay in Hida Takayama, Gifu ?
Browse through my TOP5 Ranking Lists of all the best places to stay in Hida Takayama, Gifu. Alternatively, you could leave a message at the below space for advice.