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The elegant Honjin Hiranoya Kachoan in Takayama offers a perfect mix of warm hospitality, timeless atmosphere, and incredible cuisine, all in a great spot near Old Town.
A Warm Welcome in the Heart of Takayama
If you’re dreaming of a peaceful, luxurious stay in Takayama with amazing food and heartfelt hospitality, Honjin Hiranoya Kachoan is hard to beat. This boutique ryokan strikes the perfect balance between Japanese tradition and modern comfort. Just a few minutes from Takayama Station and steps from the historic district, our family had a fantastic stay here during our visit.
The ryokan consistently earns glowing reviews on JTB, especially for its meals. It has also received JTB’s Best Service Award for small inns multiple years in a row—and we can wholeheartedly say it lives up to the praise.
Arrival and First Impressions
Takayama is a walkable city, but the complimentary car service from the station made our arrival even smoother. When we stepped inside, staff greeted us warmly and helped with our bags. Like some traditional ryokan, we swapped our shoes for indoor slippers at the entrance. It immediately felt like a retreat from the outside world.
One lovely tradition caught us by surprise: the soft beat of a taiko drum to announce our arrival. Our kids lit up with excitement. In the lobby, we also noticed a beautiful model of a Takayama Festival float—a nod to the town’s deep cultural roots.
Our Room: Traditional Comfort with a View
We stayed in a Standard Japanese-style room with tatami mats, sliding shoji doors, and a sitting area overlooking the Higashiyama Temple District. The room was immaculately clean, thoughtfully arranged, and very quiet.
The hotel kindly allowed us to see the nicer suites to take photos for blog. If you’re looking to splurge, the Junior Suite includes a separate tatami room, a Western-style bedroom, and a private jacuzzi bath with Japanese hinoki styling. It’s ideal for couples or anyone wanting extra space and comfort.
Dinner at Kachoan: A Culinary Highlight
The meals were the highlight of our stay—and that’s saying a lot. Served in a private dining room, the kaiseki dinner was seasonal, beautifully plated, and deeply flavorful. We tried both the standard and upgraded menus during our stay.
Here were some of our favorites:
- Sesame tofu with fresh wasabi and myoga
- Grilled sweetfish (ayu) with crisp skin and tender meat
- Sashimi served on ice in a floating tray
- A trio of Hida beef grilled tableside with ponzu, miso, and salt
- Award-winning local rice, Hida miso soup, and pickles
The premium dinner included nodoguro (blackthroat seaperch), uni, and A5-grade Hida beef grilled in hoba leaf. Every bite felt like a celebration of the region.
Onsen Baths and Relaxation
The onsen at Honjin Hiranoya Kachoan is cozy and peaceful. It’s not very large, but you can also use the bigger bathhouse at their sister property across the street. Yukata robes and bath accessories come in several styles, which adds a fun, personal touch.
Traditional Japanese Breakfast
Breakfast was just as impressive. Served in the same private dining room, it included:
- Grilled fish
- Steamed rice
- Tamagoyaki and onsen egg
- Pickles and seasonal vegetables
- Grilled hoba miso on magnolia leaves—deeply savory and aromatic
After trying hoba miso here, we picked up a pack of magnolia leaves at the local market to bring the flavor home. Here’s the hoba miso beef recipe on Just One Cookbook inspired by our visit to Takayama.
How to Get to Honjin Hiranoya Kachoan
On Foot/Car
- From Takayama Station, the ryokan is a 5-minute walk or you can request a complimentary shuttle.
Taxi
- A taxi from Takayama Station takes about 3 minutes and costs ¥700–¥1,000.
Pro Tip: Contact the ryokan in advance to arrange the complimentary shuttle, especially helpful if you have luggage or arrive in bad weather.
Experience Honjin Hiranoya Kachoan for Yourself
We’ve been recommending Honjin Hiranoya Kachoan to friends, and they’ve loved it just as much. It truly offers one of the best ryokan experiences we’ve had in Japan. The food was unforgettable, the service warm and personal, and the location ideal for exploring Takayama.
For anyone seeking refined hospitality with a true sense of place, Honjin Hiranoya Kachoan delivers a timeless, deeply memorable escape. We hope you’ll have the chance to experience it for yourself.
More to Explore Nearby
After a relaxing stay at Honjin Hiranoya Kachoan with its refined kaiseki meals and warm hospitality, enjoy these nearby attractions just steps away:
- Takayama Jinya – A beautifully preserved Edo-era government office right across the street.
- Jinya Asaichi Morning Market – Browse fresh produce, crafts, and local pickles each morning beside the Jinya.
- Takayama Old Town (Sanmachi Suji) – Stroll historic streets lined with sake breweries and traditional shops.
- Takayama City Archives Museum – Learn about the town’s past through historical documents and architecture.
