What kind of luxury onsen ryokan is Hanaougi Bettei Iiyama?
In the cold winter of December, my husband and I traveled to Hida Takayama with our small children. The day before, we stayed at the sister ryokan, Hidatei Hanaougi, and this evening we stayed at Hanaougi Bettei Iiyama diagonally across the street. I am going straight to the point, it was a small ryokan, but we loved its Hida Takayama samurai mansion-like appearance and the service and hospitality of a five-star hotel. It was one of those ryokan where we really wanted to come all the way from far away to stay.
We had planned to go sightseeing in Hida Takayama, but by mid-afternoon a cold rain began to fall and our children were getting tired with biting hands and feet, so we arrived at the ryokan earlier than planned. However, staff welcomed us with open arms. Check-in usually starts at 3:00PM, but we were glad our room was ready. There was a free shuttle service from the west exit of Takayama station, but we took a cab from the Takayama old town area. It was about 10 minutes from there.
In front of the ryokan, as we got out of the cab, we saw a magnificent gate like those of temples in Kyoto. On either side of the massive gate, traditional torches were lit and crackling. The ambience was solemn and different from that of the sister ryokan. After passing through the gate and walking along the stone pavement, we found a entrance at the end of the street. Several quaint, traditional two-story Japanese houses stood on the spacious grounds. In front of the entrance was a small pond with beautiful Nishikikoi swimming in it. There was a ramp next to the stairs in front of the entrance. It looks like even people with weak legs and hips can stay here without any worries. Once inside, there were magnificent stump imposts, folding screens, and ikebana flower arrangements. We could smell a pleasant aroma of tea coming from the tea censer. Then we took off our shoes here. The tatami matted floor felt very cozy, as if it gently wrapped my tired feet. Like the sister ryokan, hallway, stairs and lobby were all covered with tatami mats. Tatami matted ryokans are very helpful for people with small children. It is troublesome to make children wear slippers, and small children cannot walk in slippers yet.
The lobby was crampt, but Looking up at the ceiling of the Gassho-zukuri lobby, one could see that it had a vaulted ceiling and that famous trees such as jinshiro cedar, jinshiro zelkova, and Yoshino cedar were used throughout the building. I was often lost in admiration for the spectacular architecture. I felt the warmth of the wood just by looking at them. Also very impressive were the lattice lamps made of long, thin traditional Japanese paper hanging from the ceiling. Antique cupboards, carved wood carvings, and lacquered ornaments used in the past were tastefully arranged. In the back right corner was a room with an elegant sunken hearth. Hida Takayama has long been famous for its high-quality furniture. We sat at a small counter in the lobby and checked in while enjoying chestnut kintoki and green pawder match tea. Apple juice was provided for the children.
After a while, the staff showed us to our room. The room we stayed in was No. 201, which was conveniently located right next to communal hot spring baths and a private family hot spring bath. As I entered the room, I could smell the aroma of a different incense burner than in the lobby. The bathroom was near the entrance, a little further on was a small Japanese-style living room, and a little further on was a Japanese-style bedroom with twin beds and another living room. Sliding shoji windows opened onto a terrace with a private outdoor hot spring bath made of Japanese cypress. This time we stayed with a family of four, and the room had a strange layout, feeling both small and spacious. There were two indoor baths that are not hot springs, two washrooms, one outdoor hot spring bath on the terrace, and two TVs. Then the view from the room did not impress me personally, but I could see the pine trees in the small garden and the mountains in the distance. The bamboo screens were hanging down, so those who wanted to enjoy the view might find it a bit lacking.
Then, I enjoyed the private hot spring bath on the terrace with my children. The cold north wind and rain were blowing, so we were completely chilled and appreciated the hot spring even more than usual. It was still past 3:00 pm, but the sky was covered with thick clouds and cold rain was still falling. On a day like this, we decided to soak in the hot spring and drink some local hot sake that we ordered from the room service. It was a most luxurious time for us. After a while, the cold rain that had been falling earlier turned to snow. The children, who had been in a bad mood because of the cold, started to be happy and excited as soon as they saw the snow.
After enjoying the private bath, the children wanted to see many Nishiki-koi swimming in the large pond in front of the lobby of the sister ryokan, so we decided to head out in the falling snow. The sister ryokan was only a 3-minute walk away. When we walked out the front door of the ryokan, snow was already piling up on the magnificent pine trees and traditional roof tiles, creating a very elegant atmosphere. The town of Hida Takayama was very well suited for snowy scenery.
After watching Nishiki-koi swimming gracefully from the bridge over the pond, we relax in communal hot spring baths in the sister ryokan. We used them last night when we stayed here, but we wanted to see a Japanese garden again from the communal outdoor baths, so we used them again. When you stay at Hanaougi Bettei Iiyama, you can freely use the communal baths in the sister ryokan.
Then, when we returned to Hanaougi Bettei Iiyama from the sister ryokan, there was already a lot of snow on the road, so it was very difficult for those of us who were wearing getas to walk.
The sister ryokan has a lively ambience with many group guests and families with children. On the other hand, Hanaougi Bettei Iiyama is small and has only 15 rooms, so it has a serene and tranquil mood, which somehow made us feel relieved when we came back from the sister ryokan.
Back in our room, we were starting to get hungry. We went to a dining area around 6:00PM and the staff showed us to a private dining room. Dinner can be served at 18:00, 18:15 or 18:30. When we entered the private dining room, elegant wooden boxes were placed on the table, which we opened to reveal a variety of appetizers. They were delicately seasoned with premium ingredients. For the main course, guests could choose between Hida beef shabu-shabu or steak. When we booked the room, my husband requested steak and I requested shabu-shabu. The children were provided with children’s meals. The Hida beef shabu shabu was served with a special sesame sauce, and it was one of the best shabu shabu I have ever had.
After dinner, we went back to our room and went out to the terrace, where it was still snowing. The kids were already tired, so I put them to beds. Then I went to the communal hot spring baths near our room. Few guests seemed to be using the communal baths, perhaps because most of the rooms have private hot spring baths. For some reason, the outdoor baths here are strangely built and long and narrow. I felt like I was on a rooftop because the outdoor bath was surrounded by tile roofs and walls made of bamboo and wood. It did not feel open, but this made me feel at home. Looking up at the night sky while soaking in the outdoor bath, I saw snowflakes dancing like petals on cherry blossoms. It looks like it will pile up tonight. Then, the indoor bath was 80 centimeters deep, so it was dangerous for children. However, it was like a standing hot spring bath, which is very common in Kurokawa Onsen, and it was pleasant.
After returning from the communal baths, we enjoyed a bottle of local ginjo sake ordered by room service while watching the snow fall in our room. It was fresh, sharp, and easy to drink for us. Hida Takayama has long been famous for Japanese sake, and with the variety of sake available, we ended up drinking too much.
The next morning we woke up before 7:00 a.m. and looked out from the terrace through the bamboo screens, the snow had stopped and the sky was blue. Before breakfast, we went outside for a walk around the ryokan and there was staff shoveling snow. It was very impressive to see the white snow on the traditional gate and Japanese architecture such as magnificent samurai residences, creating a quaint mood different from that of yesterday. Then we had a Japanese breakfast at 8:00AM, and after breakfast we again enjoyed the private bath on the terrace in our room. Before 11:00 a.m. we sat at the counter in the lobby and checked out while having delicious coffee.
The only drawback I would venture to say is that the view from our room was not exceptional. There are several rooms with small Japanese gardens, so I would like to stay there next time. Overall, the staff here was very professional, as was the staff at the sister ryokan. This onsen ryokan is truly like a 5 star hotel. If you prefer a tranquil environment in a small ryokan, I would recommend Hanaougi Bettei Iiyama, and if you like a lively environment, I would recommend Hidatei Hanaougi. Check Availability and Pricing for the ryokan on Agoda
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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 and a view of the Japanese garden.
Where is the best accommodation for anniversaries in Takayama?
If you are looking for a good place for a special occasion, the property would be one of the best. The staff may be able to arrange a cake to celebrate an anniversary at an additional charge if you request in advance.
How about toiletries & in-room amenities?
All of the amenities are taken care of including enough toiletries, yukatas, samue outfits, and green tea bags, etc. There are POLA skincare amenities in the bathroom. Room service is available for drinks only. There is a vending machine for drinks. There is a convenience store within 5min walking. Free Wifi reception was great in the property.
Then this is child-friendly. The staff can provide many items for small children, such as yukatas, amenities, futons, meals, chairs, toys, and picture books, etc. if you request in advance.
How about In-house Facilities?
There are indoor and outdoor communal hot spring baths. They are open from 15:00-9:30 the following morning. Also, there is one private family hot spring bath. You need to book it in advance. It costs 3,300JPY for 50min. On top of that, you can use communal hot spring baths in the sister ryokan, Hidatei Hanaougi nearby.
*If you have tattoos, you may not be permitted to use the communal bathing areas. You may want to use the reserved private family bath instead.
Then this is not a universal design. There does not appear to be an elevator. Wheelchairs are available for borrowing. If you bring people with weak legs, you may want to book a room with a private hot spring on 1F. Once you enter your room, you wouldn’t need to move around as there is a wonderful private hot spring.
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How about meals?
The kaiseki dinner was wonderful. The food was sophisticated. All ingredients were so fresh, high-end, and tasty, especially Hida beef. The portion was big. All meals are served in a private room or your room. They have a nice sake list to complement the meal.
Then 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, although there are no restaurants within walking distance, there are local restaurants in the Takayama Station area, so you can eat out. However, after checking in and relaxing in the hot spring, it may be a hassle to go out and eat again. From the ryokan to Takayama Station is a 10-minute cab ride and costs about JPY1,500.
Check Availability and Pricing for the ryokan on Agoda
Info about Hanaougi Bettei Iiyama
| Style | Luxury Onsen Ryokan |
|---|---|
| Check-in and out times | 15:00/10:00 |
| Estimated Price | 70,000 JPY for 2 adults per room |
| Contact | iiyama@hanaougi.co.jp |
| Internet Connection | Free Wifi in the ryokan |
| Facility Information | Wheelchairs are available Pets are not allowed The free parking lot is available |
| Location | Hanaougi Bettei Iiyama’s MAP |
| Access | Free shuttle service from Takayama Station |
| Address and TEL | Tel +81 |
| Official Homepage | Hanaougi Bettei Iiyama’s HP |
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