Where to Stay in Takayama

If you’re planning on spending a few nights in Takayama, you might wonder where to stay. Here are the best areas to consider for convenience and cost.

The Basics

The good news is that Takayama is a very walkable city and not very big, so wherever you stay, you’re not going to be that far from the Top 10 Sights in Takayama, or anything else you want to visit.

There are three main areas of the city that you might consider staying in—near the station, in the old town, and an area situated between the two, which I’m going to refer to as midtown!

Here’s the quick guide to each of them – but read on to decide which is best for you.

Article by Helen Foster. Disclosure: Some links in this post are affiliate links. See our Affiliate Disclosure.

First Published: 22nd February 2025. Last Checked May 2025. Information sources: Personal experience, prices, ratings via booking.com.

Area 1: Takayama Station

Best For: Hotel options and easy access to transport

Why I Recommend It

This is where I chose to stay; I think it was a great choice. I had a lot to do while I was here, and within minutes of arriving off the train from Hida Furukawa, I had dropped off my bags and was ready to start.

Takayama is not a big city, so getting a taxi to your hotel is almost embarrassing. If you’re arriving with luggage, having just a short walk to drop off your bags is a HUGE bonus.

Being close to Takayama’s transport hub is particularly handy if you’re taking day trips to Shirakawa go, or the small town of Hida Furukawa or want to get the bus to some of the sights in Takayama that are a bit further afield like the Hido No Sato Open Air Museum.

When you want to go into the main town, it’s about a 15-minute walk, but you can wander into shops and small shrines and temples on the way – stumbling across the Sarubobo shrine with its area dedicated to Takayama’s favourite ‘monkey doll’ was an unexpected delight.

Sometimes staying near an area’s central station can be a little bit soulless, but that is not the case in Takayama, as you’ll find small shops, bars and restaurants everywhere.

When you come home in the evening, there are many restaurants close by, which is not the case with other areas of Takayama – I ate all of my meals around here.

This area has many accommodation choices for all budgets. If you want to stay in a larger hotel with Western beds and more facilities, this is the best area for you, but you’ll also find smaller ryokans.

The downside is, it’s not the most atmospheric part of Takayama, and it’s the furthest away from most of the sights – but even they aren’t that far away!

Where I Stayed: Hotel Wing International

This is a high-rise hotel, and so some rooms have lovely views over the city and the Japanese Alps in the distance, something I did not expect from a hotel near the station. It also has an onsen on site, which was very welcome after a day’s sightseeing – I have learned the best time to hit the onsen is mid-afternoon as they tend to be less busy – and this one was no exception. I was the only person there.

The rooms aren’t huge, but they’re very comfortable – some people in the reviews have said that the bed was hard, but I didn’t notice that at all. It’s a little bit further away from the station than some other hotels, but still an easy walk with smaller luggage.

Another benefit is once you’re inside and unpacked, there’s a good number of restaurants on your doorstep (far better than in the Old Town) – including the very friendly Toranoya, which made me a great yaki soba.

Accessibility: Upper floors accessible by elevator

Smoking Policy: Non-smoking hotel

Other Options

Takayama Ouan

While I enjoyed my stay at Hotel Wing International, if I returned to Takayama, this would be my next choice in this area.

This Japanese-style hotel offers tatami mat rooms with futons to sleep on – but it also has tatami rooms with Western-style beds if you’re not entirely up to sleeping so close to the ground.

It has large indoor public baths, but you can also book open-air private onsens with fantastic views. And this is despite it being one of the closest hotels to the station.

If you’re going to Shirakawa-go on your trip, the Ouan is directly opposite the entrance to the bus station.

Added touches like free ice cream and ramen are the icing on the cake. I think this will be my next choice in Takayama.

Accessibility: No clear details on booking.com or their website

Smoking Policy: Smoke-free property

eph Takayama

If you’re looking for a bit more space and modernity, this boutique hotel could be your perfect spot. Rooms start at 22 sq metres and go up to 29 sq metres.

One nice touch is the Hinoki Wood baths in every room – they’re a lovely change from the modular bathrooms you usually find in many Japanese hotels.

One thing to note if you’re traveling as a couple is that the rooms are set up as twins. However, as Japanese hotel beds can be quite small, and rooms with king beds tend to be pricey so I actually look for twins if I’m traveling with Mr Japlanease so this would be a bonus for us – but if you’re a snuggly couple, or on your honeymoon, it might not be the best option.

Accessibility: The hotel says it’s wheelchair accessible on its website, but to inform the staff in advance of arrival.

Smoking Policy: Smoke-free property

Area 2: Mid Town

Best For: Easy access to all the main sights, and good for restaurants in the evening

I’m combining the areas of Asahi Machi and Aiomachi here under the heading of midtown, as they are located between the station and the old town area.

If your idea of the perfect neighbourhood teems with bars, restaurants, and tiny hole-in-the-wall bars, this is your happy place. You’ll find over 50 establishments tucked away in the small winding streets. Walk around here at night, and the streets are lit with glowing red lanterns and the lights from izakaya windows – but most of the hotels are tucked away on the less busy streets, so there’s no concern about noise.

Originally, I was booked to stay in this area, but I had to change my dates, and my hotel choice was full. However, wandering around this area, I decided that it would have been a good choice, especially if you’re not taking any day trips, so you don’t need to be too near the station.

There are a decent number of places to stay around here, and they tend to be smaller ryokan-style places, which makes them perfect if you’re looking for something with a bit more atmosphere and a personal touch.

Bars and restaurants close a little later here than elsewhere in Takayama, which seems to be an early-to-bed kind of place! Just be aware that a few places tend to prefer to keep seats for their local guests. More tourist-friendly bars include 和田 (Wada), Takachan and Kinoene.

If you’d like a bit of local insight into the best places to eat, drink and have fun in this area, check out this evening tour that heads to some of Takayama’s most atmospheric izakaya in this area.

Related Read: Expect to be served an otoshi and pay a seat fee at many bars around here – if you don’t know what that is, read up on our guide to otoshi so you don’t get any surprises.

Where I Nearly Stayed: Rickshaw Inn

This small ryokan is simple but in a great location in a quiet street, just 250 metres away from all those bars and restaurants. Rooms start at a pretty reasonable price of 23,000 yen – but, you’ll often find it cheaper if you book early.

Each room is slightly different and accommodates a different number of people – the largest, a family room, can sleep six.

The beds are futons, and the styling is very traditional. Rooms have a private toilet, and many also have small bathtubs.

It only has a handful of rooms, and it’s very popular, so book early. Also note that because this is a small hotel, you are asked to check in by early evening when you first arrive. Make sure you know your arrival timings before booking.

Accessibility: Limited. Rooms are accessed by stairs.

Smoking Policy: Non-Smoking property

Other Options

Machiyado ICHIRYU

Despite its traditional exterior, this hotel contains large modern rooms with a lot of space.

If relaxation is a key part of your trip, you’ll definitely want to consider this. Not only does every room have their own semi-outdoor private bath (not onsen water), there are three other onsen baths on the property – plus, you can also use the facilities at the Spa Hotel Alpina, which has outdoor public baths with a view of the city.

Rooms are spacious—up to 100 sq metres for the largest suite, and they can sleep up to five people. However, the hotel aims to be a quiet, adult-focused, environment so children under elementary school age are not allowed.

Accessibility: Upstairs rooms are accessed by elevator

Smoking Policy: Non-smoking property

Area 3: Takayama Old Town

Best For: Easy access to sights, atmosphere

Takayama Old Town isn’t large, but it’s stacked with atmosphere in every beam of its old wooden buildings. The big advantage of staying here is that you can easily see this pretty town before or after the day trippers arrive – Golden Hour here is just magical as the crowds disappear, the streets get quieter and the lights come on all around you.

Pretty much every major sight is within a 15-minute walk from here making it very easy to explore even smaller sights like the Higashiyama Shrine Walk.

Reading that, you might think that staying here is a no-brainer; the downside though is that there are only a handful of places to stay in this area, many of which are private homes rather than hotels.

These might be good for families, though, as they allow you a little more space.

Prices also err a little higher around here – book early to grab a bargain.

Lastly, while the area bustles during the day, things close early around here, which means the open restaurants fill up fast. I saw one couple wandering around at about 6.30, and everywhere was turning them away. Make sure you have an evening plan if you want to eat on your doorstep – the good news is, one of our suggested choices offers a traditional Japanese meal in your room.

Where I’d Pick: Hotel Wood Takayama

Designed in a very minimalist style, this is the largest hotel in the old town area – but it’s surprisingly well priced.

It has an indoor onsen and offers free beers and a selection of sake in the evening, which is a nice touch.

You can choose from Western beds or futons. They also have fully accessible room options, which are a bit of a rarity in Takayama.

Note – rooms do not have televisions so that you can properly relax.

Accessibility: The hotel’s barrier-free room is designed for wheelchair access. It has handrails in the bathroom and a higher bed for easier transfer. See their website for full details.

Smoking Policy: Smoke-free property

Honjin Hiranoya Kachoan and Honjin Hiranoya Annex

These sister properties aren’t directly in the old town itself, but are located just steps away on the other side of the river.

The rooms are very spacious—even the standard room in the Honkin Hiranoya Kachoan is 30 sq metres – yet they’re furnished in a Japanese style. Many have a small seating area on an indoor balcony overlooking Takayama. Everyone of them is slightly different.

This is not the place for people who want to be out from dusk to dawn and literally use the room to sleep – spending time in the hotel is part of your holiday. You can choose from over 800 yukata to wear in your room or around town and traditional Japanese breakfast and kaiseki dinner based around local Hida produce can be included as part of your stay..

The hot spring bath here is particularly pretty with a nice sunset view over the city.

The Annex is a bit more modern. The design of the twin rooms here is kind of space-age and fun.

Accessibility: Upstairs rooms are accessed by elevator

Smoking Policy: Non-smoking property

Choices by Price

It’s hard to specify exact pricing for hotels as things vary so much by date, number of people and whether there are any special offers on – but to give you an idea, here’s a list of our suggested hotels in order of pricing.

To give you an indication of cost, the day I write this, the cheapest hotel on this list is charging around 11,000 yen for a night in September 2025. The most expensive is charging around 55,000.

Not Seen Anything Quite Right Yet?

Check rates and availability for your dates here.

Busy Dates to Watch Out For in Takayama

Public holidays and weekends are going to be busier than weekdays as Japanese guests come to visit the pretty old town. However, there are two periods of the year in Takayama when crowd numbers and hotel prices will soar. And that’s the Spring and Autumn matsuri dates when huge floats are pulled along the streets.

If you’re visiting at this time, book early.

The Spring Festival takes place on April 14th and 15th each year, and the Autumn one takes place on October 9th and 10th. Bookings open up to a year in advance. Checking now (in May 2025) for dates over the Spring Festival 2026 can see you paying about twice the normal rate for a room—and that will only go up as dates get nearer, so book early if you’re visiting Takayama at this time.

Related Read: Are you going to Kanazawa after your Takayama visit? Then check out our similar guide to where to stay in Kanazawa next. Or, if you’re heading back to Tokyo via Nagano, find out where to stay in Nagano here.

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