Ryokan Tanabe, Takayama

Ryokan Tanabe is a traditional Japanese inn in the Takayama Historic District, just a minute's walk from Old Town and Takayama Jinya and a five-minute walk from JR Takayama Train Station. You're also a 15-minute bus ride from Hida No Sato Folk Village and a 40-minute drive from Shirakawa-go. Walking through the common spaces of the hotel, take notice of the traditional architecture unique to the Hida region, which features fine lumber. There's a beautiful Japanese garden off of the lobby lounge that creates a peaceful ambience. Fresh flowers throughout the hotel add color to an otherwise neutral, earthy interior, while a sunken hearth provides a cozy place to sit in the winter. 

The Ryokan Tanabe offers spacious, traditional Japanese-style rooms with a light-wood interior, sliding screens, tatami (woven-straw) flooring, and Japanese futon bedding. Each room has a no-frills en suite bathroom with a shower and tub. Upgraded rooms come with terraces and deep soaking baths filled with geothermal water, excellent for relaxing without leaving your suite. While some accommodation options have large sliding glass doors leading to small private Japanese gardens, others have views peering into adjacent rooms, so many guests probably opt to keep the blinds closed.  

While staying at Ryokan Tanabe, start your day with a Japanese set menu for breakfast, which the staff serves to you in your room. Then, head to the lobby for complimentary coffee or the common lounge to sit by the Irori hearth. If you want to relax, unwind in the indoor and outdoor hot spring baths made of rocks and cypress wood, or request a relaxing massage treatment. When it's time for dinner, you can enjoy a multicourse meal with Hida beef, fresh seafood, and traditional vegetables in the comfort of your room.