🕓 2025/1/24
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Table of Contents
Gifu Prefecture is known as a region where breathtaking natural beauty harmonizes with rich cultural heritage. Home to the Japanese Alps, Hida-Takayama, and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Shirakawa-go, Gifu offers diverse attractions such as majestic mountains, traditional townscapes, and renowned hot spring areas, attracting visitors from both Japan and abroad.
The prefecture also boasts historical and cultural landmarks like Gero Onsen and Gujo Hachiman, offering unique opportunities to immerse yourself in Japan's traditions. Additionally, Gifu is famous for its local delicacies, including Hida Beef, Hoba Miso, and Ayu (sweetfish), which are popular among food enthusiasts. Visitors can also enjoy the changing beauty of the seasons in Gifu's abundant natural surroundings, making it an ideal destination for year-round tourism.
When visiting Gifu, consider elevating your stay by choosing one of these three carefully selected high-end hotels that offer exceptional experiences and luxurious accommodations.
Yatsusankan is a historic and distinguished ryokan located in Oku-Hida Onsen Village, Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture. Established during the Ansei era (1854–1860), this ryokan boasts a legacy of heartfelt hospitality cultivated over generations and an environment surrounded by rich natural beauty.
1. Historical Architecture with Timeless Charm
Founded in the late Edo period, Yatsusankan showcases the traditional architectural style of the Hida region. The ryokan features an extensive wooden structure reminiscent of a relocated traditional farmhouse, complete with antique beams, pillars, and furnishings that exude a sense of history.
One of its buildings is designated as a National Tangible Cultural Property, reflecting its architectural significance and historical value, making it a must-visit for architecture enthusiasts.
2. Relaxation and Rejuvenation in Natural Hot Springs
Yatsusankan takes pride in its natural hot springs, sourced from the abundant nature of Oku-Hida. The ryokan offers a variety of bathing options, including large communal baths, open-air baths, and private baths, all designed to provide a relaxing experience while enjoying the seasonal beauty of the surrounding nature.
Soaking in the baths while admiring the vivid autumn foliage or serene snow-covered landscapes offers an extraordinary escape from the everyday.
3. Exquisite Kaiseki Cuisine Featuring the Flavors of Hida
Yatsusankan is renowned for its kaiseki cuisine, which highlights the local bounty of Hida’s mountains and rivers. Its signature dishes, featuring carefully selected Hida Beef, are particularly praised by guests. From succulent shabu-shabu and steak to sizzling grilled dishes, the menu caters to diverse tastes.
Additionally, the ryokan’s seasonal creations incorporate fresh local ingredients, including river fish, wild mountain vegetables, and regional produce, offering visually stunning and delicious dishes. Guests can enjoy their meals in private dining rooms or exclusive spaces, ensuring a comfortable and intimate dining experience.
4. A Variety of Rooms Offering Tranquility
Yatsusankan offers a range of accommodations, from traditional Japanese-style rooms to modern designs, catering to the diverse preferences of guests. Some rooms even feature private open-air baths, allowing guests to enjoy hot springs in their own serene, personal space.
Nestled on an elevated hill overlooking the renowned Gero Onsen, Shougetsu is a luxurious hot spring ryokan in Gifu Prefecture. True to its name, which translates to “playing in the heavens tonight,” this ryokan captivates guests with its breathtaking panoramic views and lavish hospitality.
1. Stunning Sky-High Views
Perched on a hill above the Gero Onsen town, Shougetsu offers sweeping views of the Hida River below and the majestic mountains beyond. Guests can enjoy spectacular sights, such as skies painted with the hues of sunrise or a star-filled night sky, creating a truly extraordinary experience. Each room features large windows, allowing guests to feel as though they are floating in the heavens.
2. Luxurious Moments of Relaxation in Hot Springs
As one of Japan's top three hot spring areas, Gero Onsen is celebrated for its high-quality waters, often referred to as “the beauty bath.” At Shougetsu, guests can immerse themselves in this soothing hot spring water through large communal baths, open-air baths, and private baths.
The open-air baths provide a rejuvenating experience amidst the seasonal beauty of the surrounding nature. The alkaline simple thermal waters are gentle on the skin, leaving it soft and smooth after bathing.
3. Exquisite Seasonal Cuisine
Shougetsu’s meals are a highlight of the stay, featuring kaiseki cuisine crafted from the seasonal bounty of Hida’s mountains and rivers. The menu boasts delicacies such as Hida Beef, fresh river fish, and local vegetables, with each dish presented as a work of art.
Hida Beef is prepared using methods that enhance its natural flavors, including shabu-shabu, steak, and more, earning praise from countless guests. Additionally, seasonal menus ensure that each visit offers a fresh and delightful culinary experience.
4. Rooms Blending Traditional Japanese Aesthetics with Modern Comfort
Shougetsu’s rooms seamlessly combine traditional Japanese design with modern comfort. Spacious Japanese-style rooms and Japanese-Western hybrid rooms feature large windows that offer stunning views, creating a serene and healing atmosphere for guests.
Some rooms are equipped with private open-air baths, allowing guests to enjoy hot springs in the privacy of their own space. The interiors incorporate local materials and craftsmanship, reflecting the rich culture of Hida in every detail.
Located in Hida-Takayama, Gifu Prefecture, Hanayui Annex Iiyama is a luxury ryokan that blends traditional Japanese aesthetics with modern comfort. Surrounded by the serene beauty of Hida-Takayama’s nature, this ryokan offers a tranquil retreat to rejuvenate both the body and soul.
1. A Wooden Masterpiece Reflecting Hida-Takayama’s Essence
Hanayui Annex Iiyama showcases remarkable craftsmanship using an abundance of wood. From the lobby’s traditional gassho-zukuri architecture featuring massive keyaki pillars (some over one meter in diameter) to intricate designs crafted from rare materials such as jin-dai keyaki, jin-dai sugi, and Yoshino cedar, the entire ryokan radiates a soothing charm.
The natural “undulating effect” of the wood creates an ambiance that naturally calms the mind and body, allowing guests to enjoy peaceful moments enveloped by the warmth of wood.
2. Luxurious, Serum-like Hot Springs
The ryokan boasts its own private hot spring sourced from 1,200 meters underground. This sodium bicarbonate spring features a silky, serum-like texture that is highly regarded for its skin-beautifying properties. Guests can enjoy this rejuvenating water in the public baths or their own private open-air baths.
The public baths alternate between male and female access in the morning and evening, offering different atmospheres to explore. A relaxing soak in these premium hot springs promises to melt away daily stress and provide deep relaxation.
3. Heartfelt Hospitality
Hanayui Annex Iiyama prides itself on preserving the warmth of traditional Japanese ryokan hospitality. A dedicated attendant (nakai) takes care of guests throughout their stay, from check-in to check-out, ensuring a seamless and personalized experience.
The attentive and heartfelt service creates unforgettable memories for every visitor.
4. Exquisite Hida Beef by the Hearth
Dining at Hanayui Annex Iiyama is a luxurious affair, featuring top-grade Hida Beef prepared over an open irori hearth. Known for its fine marbling and melt-in-your-mouth texture, the beef is sourced from a trusted butcher to guarantee exceptional quality.
Guests can savor steak grilled to their preferred doneness in the warm ambiance of the hearth, accompanied by seasonal local ingredients presented with artistic flair. This culinary experience engages all five senses and is a highlight of the stay.
5. Scenic Garden and Seasonal Views
The ryokan’s meticulously maintained garden is a sanctuary of tranquility, reflecting the beauty of Hida-Takayama’s natural landscape. Filled with seasonal trees and flowers, the garden changes its appearance throughout the year, offering breathtaking scenes of fresh greenery in spring and vibrant autumn foliage.
Guests can enjoy views of the garden from their rooms or various parts of the ryokan, and a leisurely stroll through the garden provides a serene escape from the bustle of daily life.