🕓 2025/1/21
#Hotel
Table of Contents
About Gifu
Gifu Prefecture is known as a region where beautiful nature and rich culture are in harmony. Home to World Heritage Sites including the Japanese Alps, Hida Takayama, and Shirakawa-go, this prefecture is blessed with magnificent mountains, traditional townscapes, and hot spring resorts, attracting many tourists from Japan and abroad.
Gifu is also rich in historical and cultural landmarks such as Gero Onsen and Gujo Hachiman, and regional cuisine featuring local ingredients like Hida beef, hoba miso (miso grilled on magnolia leaves), and sweetfish are also popular. It is also known as a nature-rich tourist destination where you can enjoy scenery throughout the four seasons.
Here, we introduce three carefully selected luxury hotels that offer a special stay when visiting Gifu Prefecture.
3 Carefully Selected Japanese-Style Ryokan in Gifu Prefecture
- Historic Inner Retreat of Hida Takayama: Yatsusankan
- Tonight, Playing in the Sky: Shougetsu
- ■ The Appeal of Shougetsu
- ■ Access Information for Shougetsu
- ■ The Appeal of Hanaougi Bettei Iiyama
- ■ Access Information for Hanaougi Bettei Iiyama
- 4 Carefully Selected Hotels in Gunma Prefecture (Must-Stay Luxury Hotels)
- 3 Carefully Selected Hotels in Aomori Prefecture (Must-Stay Luxury Hotels)
- 3 Carefully Selected Hotels in Toyama Prefecture (Must-Stay Japanese-Style Ryokan)
Historic Inner Retreat of Hida Takayama: Yatsusankan
Source: Yatsusankan Official Website
■The Appeal of Yatsusankan
“Yatsusankan” is a historic ryokan located in Okuhida Onsengo, Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture, exuding history and dignity. Founded during the Ansei era (1854-1860), it offers hospitality cultivated over its long history combined with the charm of being surrounded by rich natural environment.
1. Historic Architecture and Elegant Beauty
Yatsusankan is a historic ryokan founded in the late Edo period, featuring the traditional architectural style of the Hida region throughout. The interior showcases charming wooden construction reminiscent of relocated old folk houses, with period beams, pillars, and furnishings welcoming guests. Some buildings are also designated as Nationally Registered Tangible Cultural Properties, and their precious historical value is highly praised even by architecture enthusiasts.
2. Healing Mind and Body with Hot Springs
What Yatsusankan prides itself on is its natural hot springs sourced from the rich nature of Okuhida.The ryokan offers a variety of bathing facilities including a large public bath, open-air baths, and private rental baths, where guests can spend relaxing time while admiring the seasonal beauty of the surrounding nature. The experience of bathing amidst the autumn foliage and snowy landscapes of the surrounding mountains provides an extraordinary healing moment.
3. Savoring Hida’s Flavors with Kaiseki Cuisine
The cuisine at Yatsusankan features authentic kaiseki dishes generously using the mountain and sea delicacies of the local Hida region. The dishes featuring carefully selected Hida beef, in particular, are highly praised by visitors. Shabu-shabu, steak, ceramic plate grilling, and more — a variety of preparations showcase the tender texture and rich flavor of the beef.
Additionally, creative dishes utilizing seasonal local ingredients are superb, with dishes incorporating fresh river fish, wild mountain vegetables, and local produce that satisfy both the eyes and palate. Meals can be enjoyed leisurely in private rooms or dedicated dining areas, making it ideal for those who value privacy.
4. Diverse Guest Rooms and Tranquil Spaces
Yatsusankan offers a variety of guest rooms that cherish the essence of Japanese style. From traditional Japanese-style rooms to rooms with modern design, there are abundant options to suit each guest’s needs. Some rooms feature private open-air baths, allowing guests to enjoy hot springs in their own private space.
■Access Information for Yatsusankan
- Official Website: https://823kan.com/
- Access: About 7 minutes walk from Hida-Furukawa Station
- Address: 1-8-27 Mukacho, Furukawa-cho, Hida City, Gifu 509-4241
- Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/JfHWvEVcAhhuNgn67
Tonight, Playing in the Sky: Shougetsu
Source: Shougetsu Official Website
■ The Appeal of Shougetsu
“Shougetsu” is a luxurious hot spring ryokan perched on the hilltop of Gero Onsen, one of Gifu Prefecture’s most renowned hot springs, offering beautiful natural surroundings and an indulgent stay. True to its name, which evokes playing among the skies, this inn captivates many as a place where you can enjoy breathtaking panoramic views.
1. A Hilltop Location with Spectacular Views
“Shougetsu” is situated on a hilltop overlooking the Gero Onsen hot spring town, with the clear Hida River below and majestic mountains stretching into the distance. The sky painted by morning glow and the starry nights offer extraordinary moments unavailable in daily life. The panoramic views visible through the large windows in every room give guests the sensation of floating in the sky.
2. Luxurious Moments of Relaxation in Hot Springs
Gero Onsen is known as one of Japan’s three great hot springs, and its waters are famous as a “beauty bath.” At “Shougetsu,” guests can enjoy these high-quality hot springs in the large public bath, open-air bath, and private rental baths.
In the open-air bath, you can savor bathing that refreshes both mind and body while feeling the seasonal nature. The water is an alkaline simple spring, gentle on the skin, leaving a smooth sensation after bathing.
3. Seasonal Culinary Delights
The meals at “Shougetsu” feature kaiseki cuisine lavishly using Hida’s mountain and river delicacies. Hida beef, river fish, fresh vegetables, and other seasonal local ingredients are generously incorporated, with each dish presented like a beautiful work of art.
The signature Hida beef, in particular, is served through cooking methods that bring out the natural flavor of the ingredient, such as shabu-shabu and steak, and is beloved by many guests. Special seasonal menus are also available, so you can discover new flavors no matter how many times you visit.
4. Guest Rooms Harmonizing Modern and Japanese Style
All guest rooms at “Shougetsu” cherish the spirit of Japanese aesthetics while incorporating modern comfort. The spacious Japanese-Western and Japanese-style rooms feature large windows, offering guests soothing views.
Some rooms are equipped with private open-air baths, allowing guests to enjoy hot springs in their own private space. The room interiors incorporate local materials and crafts, creating spaces where you can feel the culture of Hida.
■ Access Information for Shougetsu
- Official Website: https://www.shougetsu.jp/
- Access: About 4 minutes by car from Gero Onsen Station
- Address: 2148-1 Nishikamida, Hagiwara-cho, Gero City, Gifu 509-2503
- Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/2SgvW3eUc3fN1DBw9
Hanaougi Bettei Iiyama
Source: Hanaougi Bettei Iiyama Official Website
■ The Appeal of Hanaougi Bettei Iiyama
“Hanaougi Bettei Iiyama” is a luxury ryokan located in Hida Takayama, Gifu Prefecture. As an inn that fuses traditional Japanese aesthetics with modern comfort, it is beloved by many travelers. Surrounded by the nature of Hida Takayama in a serene setting, it offers a special stay that heals mind and body.
1. The Beauty of Hida Takayama’s Wood Architecture
“Hanaougi Bettei Iiyama” is characterized by its architectural beauty that lavishly uses wood. Starting with the gassho-zukuri-style lobby constructed from zelkova trees measuring one meter in diameter, precious woods such as jindai zelkova, jindai cedar, and Yoshino cedar are used throughout the building. The “fluctuation effect” produced by these woods naturally heals the minds and bodies of guests. Please enjoy the peaceful time enveloped in the warmth of wood.
2. Silky-Smooth Private Hot Spring Like Beauty Serum
The private hot spring at “Hanaougi Bettei Iiyama” is a sodium bicarbonate spring drawn from 1,200 meters underground, featuring a silky-smooth texture like beauty serum that melts into the skin. This “beauty bath” can be enjoyed not only in the large public bath but also in the guest room open-air baths. The large baths alternate between male and female each morning and evening, allowing guests to enjoy different atmospheres. The soothing bathing experience heals daily fatigue and provides relaxing time.
3. Heartfelt Hospitality
“Hanaougi Bettei Iiyama” treasures the warm, old-fashioned hospitality of a traditional ryokan. During your stay, a dedicated nakai (room attendant) provides consistent care from check-in to check-out, creating a sense of security and special connection.
The sincere service creates special memories for guests.
4. Premium Hida Beef by the Irori Hearth
Meals feature luxurious moments enjoying carefully selected Hida beef by an irori (traditional sunken hearth). Hida beef, characterized by its fine marbling and melt-in-your-mouth texture, is sourced from a designated meat supplier to ensure the highest quality. Grilling the Hida beef steak to your preferred doneness in the warm atmosphere of the irori is an exceptional experience. Each dish made with seasonal local ingredients is also beautifully presented, providing a feast for all five senses.
5. Beautiful Gardens and Natural Views
The gardens at “Hanaougi Bettei Iiyama” are a serene space where visitors can enjoy beauty throughout the four seasons. The well-maintained gardens feature trees and flowers symbolic of Hida Takayama’s nature, showing a different face with each visit. The gardens can be viewed from various spots in the guest rooms and throughout the building,
with spring’s fresh greenery and autumn’s foliage being especially magnificent. Strolling through the gardens, you can forget the hustle and bustle of daily life and spend peaceful moments.
■ Access Information for Hanaougi Bettei Iiyama
- Official Website: https://www.hanaougi.com/
- Access: 7 minutes by car from Takayama Station
- Address: 262-2 Honbo-cho, Takayama City, Gifu 506-0003
- Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/9Mf1woh9qUVd7RYy5