What kind of onsen ryokan is Miyama Ouan Kyoritsu Resort?
In the cold winter month of December, we took our two small children on a four-day, three-night trip to Hida Takayama. The day before we stayed at Hanaougi Bettei Iiyama, a 10-minute drive from Takayama Station, and this evening we stayed at Miyama Ouan Kyoritsu Resort in Hirayu Onsen. I am going straight to the point, the suite we stayed in with a private outdoor hot spring bath was wonderful. We fully enjoyed the private bath with beautiful snowy views. On the other hand, the food and service were average and unimpressive.
After sightseeing around Takayama Station and having Hida beef lunch, we boarded the Hino bus bound for Matsumoto bus terminal at 13:50 from Takayma Nohi Bus Center and arrived at Hirayu Onsen around 15:00. From there, we took a ryokan’s shuttle bus and arrived at the ryokan a little after 15:30. The day we arrived was a weekend, so the large parking lot and lobby were very crowded. All the staff seemed to be very busy. We waited in the lobby for 15 minutes to check in. Finally the procedure was completed and we went to our room. I felt that this ryokan was not suitable for people with small children or people with disabilities because of the maze-like structure and the stairs and elevators that we needed to take to get to our room. We also had to carry our own luggage. With small children, it was tough because we had a lot of luggage. This is not a luxury ryokan like the one we stayed at the day before, so the service is on par with a business hotel. Considering the price range, it can’t be helped.
We stayed in the suite No. 802 with the private outdoor hot spring bath, in a wing called Himekomatsu. From the lobby, we passed by a small lounge and a communal bath area and took an elevator up to the second floor. After a short walk, we entered through the entrance with a noren curtain and turned right to find our room.
Upon entering the room, one was greeted by a high vaulted ceiling, creating an expansive space. A Japanese-style room with a low table on tatami mats on the left, a bedroom further down the hallway, and a living room with a sofa next to it. The interior was made of natural materials, including wonderful natural wood used throughout and diatomaceous earth wall coverings. The suite was too spacious for two adults and two small children. The wooden terrace with sliding shoji doors on the window side opened onto a spectacular view of a silver world covered in snow. There were also 2 deck chairs and the private outdoor hot spring bath, which seemed to excite the children. The wooden private hot spring bath was constantly pouring hot spring water, the sound of the hot spring water flowing was pleasant, and the scent of sulfur was in the air. The private onsen exceeded our expectations, with a spectacular view from the wooden terrace, the best hot spring quality, and the right temperature.
We immediately enjoyed the private bath on the terrace with the children to warm up our cold bodies. Then we were happy to enjoy the view of the snowy landscape of the forest while drinking local sake that we had purchased earlier at a souvenir shop near Hirayu Onsen bus stop. The snow that had been falling earlier had completely stopped and the sky was a clear blue. As we gazed at the forest in front of us in a daze, a father and son of emaciated foxes came to us. They seemed to be looking for food. The children were quietly staring at them with happy faces.
Then when we got out of the bath, the kids were tired and took a nap. We had some time before dinner, so we bought cans of beer from a vending machine on the grounds and drink them slowly in our room. The beer after taking a bath was really special.
Then, we could choose to start dinner at 17:30 or 20:00. If you want to have dinner at 17:30, I would recommend checking in earlier. We checked in around 16:00 and dinner, which started at 17:30, was already almost full. Also, two private family outdoor baths, which are free to enjoy, were also fully booked when we checked in. Reservations are not required for the private family indoor baths. You can use them anytime as long as they are available. The day we stayed, the rooms were full and all the common areas seemed crowded.
Around 17:30, we went to a dining area on the second floor of the main building, and a staff member guided us to our table. It was not a private room, but it was built like one, with a sunken hearth in the center of the table, where we were served teppanyaki and shabu-shabu of Hida beef. Unfortunately, there was nothing memorable about the food. Considering the price range, it is unavoidable. Also, when dinner started, we ordered wine and local sake, which took a long time to come out. There seemed to be an obvious lack of manpower.
After dinner, my husband and children spent time in the room watching TV, and I went to large communal hot spring baths. I liked the ourdoor bath, which were more dynamic and open than I had expected. Surrounded by a natural snowy landscape, the large outdoor bath was filled with steam, creating an even more mystical atmosphere. When I looked up at the night sky, I saw a star-filled sky that looked like a jewel box turned upside down. Then from 10:00 p.m., free ramen noodles were available for the midnight snack, but we were tired and went to bed.
The next morning, we woke up before 7:00 a.m. and went out to the terrace to find that the sky was covered with thick clouds. It looked like it might snow again. Before breakfast, we took a bath with our children in the private bath on the terrace. Occasionally, a cold wind blew, and I could hear the pleasant sound of the snow falling softly and purely white from the branches of the fir trees.
Breakfast at 8:00AM was taken at the same place as yesterday’s dinner. We could choose to start breakfast at 7:00, 7:30, or 8:00. After breakfast, we enjoyed the communal bahts again, and checked out before 11:00AM. Then we had the staff take us to Hirayu Onsen bus stop. We decided to move as quickly as possible because trains and buses may stop when it snows. From Hirayu Onsen bus stop, we took the Hino bus bound for Matsumoto bus terminal and got off at the last stop. From Matsumoto Station, we took an express train to Nagano Station and transferred to the Shinkansen to go to Tokyo Station.
All in all, it is not a luxury ryokan, so don’t expect too much. Considering the price range, it is a large ryokan, but must be maintained with a small staff. Service and hospitality are probably on par with business hotels. However, all the staff worked very hard. Then, during the summer season, there may be many bugs around the outdoor bahts because of the natural surroundings. City people may want to avoid staying in the summer.
Check Availability and Pricing for the property on Agoda
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Is the location easy to access?
If you are coming from Nagoya Station, take an express train to Takayama Station, then take the Nobi Bus from Takayama Nohi Bus Center in front of Takayama Station to Hirayu Onsen Bus Stop, which takes about 60 minutes. Refer to the timetable.
Alternatively, if you are coming from Tokyo Station, go to Matsumoto Station, then take a 90-minute bus ride on the Nobi Bus from Matsumoto Bus Terminal, and get off at Hirayu Onsen bus stop.
If this is your first visit the Hida Takayama area, you may be worried about where you should get off, so you may want to show the below Japanese sentence to a bus driver when you get on a bus.
Please let me know when you reach “Hirayu Onsen Bus Stop”
Then, free shuttle service is available from Hirayu Onsen Bus Stop. You need to book it in advance. If you walk from the bus stop, it takes around 10min to the ryokan.
In addition, Hirayu Onsen Ski Resort is a 20-minute walk from the ryokan.
If you have any questions about how to get there, please message me anytime below.
Rooms I would recommend?
If you are going to stay here, I would recommend a room with a private hot spring bath. The spring quality is simply wonderful. It’s soft, moist, and creamy.
How about toiletries & in-room amenities?
All of the amenities are taken care of including toiletries, yukatas, samue outfits, bottled water, and a Japanese tea set, etc. Also, there are colorful yukatas that you can choose from. Room service is not available. Complimentary drinks are available, such as fresh milk, café au lait, green tea lait, yakuruto, coffee, popsicles, etc. There are some vending machines for drinks including beer. There is no convenience store nearby. You might want to buy your necessities before coming here. Free Wifi reception was available.
How about In-house Facilities?
Facilities tend to be outdated as the ryokan opened in 2007. Then, there are amazing communal hot spring baths.
Also, there are 2 indoor and 2 oudoor private family hot spring baths that guests can use for free whenever they are not occupied. You need to book them when you check in. All of them are open from 5:00-10:00, 15:00-25:00.
*Please note that if you have tattoos, book a room with a private hot spring bath, or use the private family baths.
Then this is not a universal design. There are steps on the grounds, but there are lifts and universal rooms for wheelchair users. Wheelchairs are available for borrowing. If you bring people with weak legs, you might want to inform the staff in advance as they can arrange a room near the main building. This is like a maze. Some rooms are located very far away from the lobby.
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How about meals?
The local cuisine for dinner and breakfast wouldn’t be special. The portion was average. Dinner starts at 17:30 or 20:00. The breakfast starts from 7:00, 7:30 or 8:00. All food was served in the dining area.
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 nice restaurant near the property. You may want to book a room including meals.
After dinner, complimentary ramen noodle for a night snack is served from 22:00.
Have a nice trip! Welcome to receive any questions about the resort from the below space. Check Availability and Pricing for the property on Agoda
Info about Miyama Ouan Kyoritsu Resort
| Style | Mountain hut-style Ryokan |
|---|---|
| Guest Rating | 15:00/11:00 |
| Estimated Price | 45,000 JPY for 2 adults per room |
| Contact | Call at 0 |
| Internet Connection | Free Wifi in the lounge only |
| Facility Information | Wheelchairs are available Pets are not allowed The free parking lot is available |
| Location | Miyama Ouan Kyoritsu Resort’s MAP |
| Access | Free shuttle service from Hirayu Onsen Bus Stop Need to book in advance |
| Address and TEL | Tel +81 |
| Official Homepage | Miyama Ouan Kyoritsu Resort‘s HP *Japanese Only |
*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.
Hi Hanna! I just curious that the bus we have to take to Hirayu Onsen bus stop is the bus that have the place for big luggage or not? Also, apart from TEL no. There is no other ways to contact the property right?
Hi Lily, how big is your luggage? Are you going to take a Nohi Bus? I’ll ask a bus company and get back to you. Then you can contact by e-mail. Click “お問い合わせ” the top right of the screen on HP
Hi Lily, according to a staff of NOHI Bus Company, most of buses have big trunks for luggage, so you wouldn’t need to worry about it. Have a nice trip!
Thanks a lot, your answer is very helpful!
Hi Hanna, Just to check with you :
1. Communal bath – what type of attire? fully naked or with short or ?
2. Private bath – onsen, is this located inside the room or is open for those who booked accomodation with hot spring bath?
3. Breakfast and dinner – I know we need to book timeslot for dinner, what about breakfast?
Hi Paul
Thank you for your message.
1. Basically, communal baths in Japan are separate for men and women, and you use completely naked. Swimming wear is not allowed in communal baths.
2. For this ryokan, the communal baths are located near the lobby. It is available only to those staying at this ryokan. Also, if you book a room with a private onsen, your room has its own bathroom with hot spring water.
There are also two indoor and two outdoor private family baths on the grounds, which guests can use free of charge when available. When I stayed here, only the outdoor baths needed to be reserved upon check-in.
3. If you need to book timeslot for breakfast, the staff will ask you when you check in for your preferred time.
If you have any questions, please contact me at any time.