Hanaougi Bettei Iiyama

A nice little Ryokan. The food was beautifully presented and delicious - only hiccup was that despite the fact we’d told them in advance that a couple of us didn’t eat seafood - we were served seafood at each meal - besides that, the beef was delicious and good serving portions. The lady who looked after us during our stay was very nice and always happy. The location is slightly out of the main hustle and bustle of main Takayama but they do provide a shuttle service to the station morning and afternoons. Guests have access to the neighbouring Ryokan’s onsen. Was a nice experience but was expecting more for the price.

We stayed in four ryokans during our trip to Japan and this was easily the best of them, despite its official three-star grading (small TVs and some tired furnishings may explain that), set apart from the rest because of its simply outstanding hospitality and service. Staff here not only welcome guests with genuine warmth but also work hard to anticipate needs. Two examples from many: 1) We arrived drenched after touring the historic village of Shirakawago in a downpour and left our soaking shoes at the entrance. When we set off the next day to tour Takayama, using the ryokan’s shuttle, our shoes had been completely dried for us. The insoles of mine had even been replaced with new ones. 2) When our tour agents let us down badly and forgot to reserve a car for us on departure, staff let us use their phone, made us comfortable and even provided complimentary coffee (unrequested) while we waited for replacement transport. Apart from superb service, this ryokan had some of the best food we ate in Japan, served in our room. Our private onsen was more spacious than most, and there were nice extra touches, like an extra jug of iced water in our bedroom and two hairdryers (one in our downstairs bathroom and another in our upstairs bedroom). Please don’t be put off by the three-star grading. We’d give this ryokan at least six stars if we could and would recommend it to anyone wanting a traditional Japanese experience, with all its sensational bells and whistles.

I have no other ryokan onsen places to compare this to, but this place was simply outstanding. Only 15 rooms. Ours had our own private onsen on the porch with continuously flowing hot spring water; had no need to use the larger communal hotel onsens. They give you slippers and kimonos to wear to meals and pajamas. Dinner was a 12 course Kaiseki gourmet extravaganza with at least 25 different items, breakfast only 15 items, presented in our own private dining room. The room had a downstairs and upstairs, each fairly large, with living room and bathroom, meticulously clean. The staff was lovely, gracious, and helpful. The only downside is the ryokan is on the outskirts of town, a 10 min free van ride to the train station. However, this didn’t really matter in Takayama, which is worth probably a half day visit, the rest of the time spent relaxing, soaking, and eating.

Wonderful experience here. It was a little like stepping through a time warp, as the place felt so old, set off by a magical traditional garden and koi pond. We were looked after by the wonderful Emireh throughout our three night stay. She showed us to a ground floor “suite”, with western beds, and a separate dining area (I’m wondering if Japanese guests get their meals here, but westerners are sent to the tiny solo dining cubicles so that they don’t have to sit on the floor?). There were two bathrooms (separate wash basin, separate toilet cubicle and separate shower, and wooden bath cubicle). Tatami mats, so no shoes inside the ryokan. We had a private hot spring bath on the little verandah of our rooms. We loved it and made full use. In the dining area was a mini fridge and a hot water unit for making tea. Each day, the staff would leave a couple of delicious biscuits of various types, individually wrapped, on our table. The chef made a good attempt at vegetarian food and I particularly enjoyed my vegetarian hotpot while my husband cooked his beef on a mini grill during our kaiseki dinner. Fabulous. The location is not central (3-4 kms from the centre of Takayama) but it is very peaceful and actually easy to walk into town as it is flat all the way. The ryokan provides transport into and from town but you do have to book a time slot. Taxis are few and far between on Sundays in Takayama. Unfortunately there is no laundry service, but there is a laundromat about 5 minutes walk away, which we used. It’s opposite a convenience store. I left a couple of things in the room safe after we checked out. The staff called our travel agent in Australia, who called me while we were en route to Kamikochi. I asked the taxi driver to turn back, and we noticed the lovely young guy who acted as concierge/luggage handler/doorman was waiting at the top of the street. When he saw us turn into the street, he ran inside and was back at the kerb with my wallet on a tray, as we pulled up. Mind blowing service! We would both love to stay here again.

We stayed one night each in Hakone and Takayama ryokans. They were both priced about the same and both were good, but we had a much more pleasant and enjoyable stay at Hanaougi Bettei Iiyama. Our experience, including the overall service, dining, private onsen, transportation, etc. was better there and we loved our host Asahi, who was attentive and friendly. Thank you for making our stay so memorable.

Excellent ryokan with lovely staff. Having now stayed at 2 other ryokans I can definitely say with confidence that this was the best by far. Large room with separate bedroom. Fridge, kettle, wet room/bath with masses of boiling water plus our own onsen. Food is kaiseki which I found challenging but we had recognisable fish and Hida beef plus western breakfast on 2nd morning.