Name: Hozanso
Address: 457-10 Okuhidaonsen Gotochio, Takayama, Takayama, Takayama, 506-1423, Japan
Rating: 8

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Smoke-free property

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Family room

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Free Wi-Fi

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Parking

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Sauna

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Matsumoto Airport

Toyama Airport

Hozanso

Takayama

child-bed

child-bed-fee

external-private-bathroom

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lounge

treatment

no-window

bay-view

bosphorus-view

canal-view

city-view

courtyard-view

garden-view

golf-view

harbour-view

inland-view

lake-view

land-view

mountain-view

ocean-front

ocean-view

oceanside

panoramic-view

park-view

partial-ocean-view

partial-sea-view

partial-view

pool-view

river-view

sea-front

sea-view

street-view

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with-view

annex

basement

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not-guaranteed

wired-internet-access

smoking

sauna

duplex

safe

mini-bar

breakfast-for-1

breakfast-for-2

pets-allowed

wi-fi

kitchen

A year later and I'm still thinking of our wonderful time in this ryokan. We went in October 2017. The food was really delicious and the onsen was private and gorgeous. They allow you to go into the outside onsen as a couple and lock the door so you won't be disturbed. There is also another indoor bath for each gender, and the women's had a separate outdoor women's only bath as well. 
The food was delicious. We had two breakfasts and one dinner there, served in a traditional manner. We ate local foods and had the special and locally unique seafood breakfast. We had the local and so delicious miso cooked on a leaf. The dinner included a seafood stew that was full of local seafood and just amazing. 
The only hard thing is getting there if you don't speak Japanese (which we don't). You have to take a bus, but once you do it, it is in fact very easy. We just made the mistake of traveling on the bus in the dark which made us worry we wouldn't get off at the right stop. But a travel counter at the train station kindly called ahead for us and found the stop number which we could watch on the bus display board (in roman characters). And to get back into town, you just wait on the street outside of the Ryokan. The Ryokan has the bus schedule (we also picked it up at the bus station) and it was very timely, and runs fairly frequently. Also, if you did miss your stop, the bus turns around at the top of the mountain and comes back down. So not a really big deal. Also, the buses are amazing. Clean, comfortable and efficient. Because we went back and forth several times, we ended up spending a lot on bus fare but it was worth it. Takayama was our favorite town in Japan, with Kyoto probably tied with it. Takayama was gorgeous and full of things to discover, including great food and local art. Its a walkable and sweet town. I hope to go back. If so we do, we will explore the mountains around the Ryokan more. We were there just as it started to get cold so we weren't able to go up to the top or on the hikes. We did walk around the Ryokan, along the river that is right next store and it is a very beautiful area. 
Lastly, just know (at least when we were there in 2017) that some of the shared areas of the Ryokan are a little old but it was a very clean and a very comfortable, traditional Japanese experience.

Ryokan with gorgeous onsen and amazing food in a beautiful, mountain setting

This is my 'go to place' when entertaining my friends and family who visit me in Gifu. Excellent value and very authentic. If you're going to come here and then complain about the tiny TV or the fact that there's nothing in the small room except a small table and you have to sleep on a futon on the floor and the little buckwheat pillow was uncomfortable and the food is 'strange' and the toilet and sink are down the hall bla bla bla then it's better not to stay here. Actually please don't come to Japan at all! 

This place has excellent, fresh, seasonal food and you can tell them special food requirements in advance of your stay - well in advance so they can prepare. Also, they have a very nice but small and simple men's and women's onsen both indoor and outdoor and the crown jewel which is a very nice private outdoor onsen where you can bath together with members in your party of the opposite sex. The setting is sublime and the crisp mountain air invigorating and revitalizing.

It's probably best to come here by car (although other reviewers have said there is a best stop nearby?) as the location is quite remote so there is not much around (which is the point) but there is an alcohol shop that also sells some snacks just a short walk up the street. 

I take people here as part of a 2 day road trip from Gifu City. On the drive up we stop in Gero at the plastic food replica workshop. Then we check in, take a bath, have dinner and drinks, take another bath and play some board or card games if anyone can stay awake after the relaxing baths and drinks. 

The next day we are up early for a final bath and breakfast, check out and head to Takayama for the morning market. It wraps up by 1030-11am so take note. There are lots of nibbles to try and buy at the market so you might not need lunch or can grab some rice balls or whatever at the convenience store or have ramen which is pretty quick then we load up again and head to the World Heritage village of Shirakawago (not to be confused with the nearby Shirakawa for you google mappers)

After a few hours of walking around Shirakawago and driving up to the lookout we head back to Gifu to return the rental van. I recommend J-net rental just south of Gifu Station. I usually rent the largest van drivable on a regular license to carry around up to around 6-8 people. If you rent something from closing on Fri 8pm you can do this trip and return it by 8pm on Sun. There is no overnight drop off. You must be back by 8pm.

Anyway, if you look around you'll find crazy high prices for ryokan in Japan and in the end you are still sleeping on the floor, eating weird and wonderful food and spending your time in the bath. Hozanso is extremely good value for the average taveller who wants an authentic Japanese onsen stay experience.

If you go here, bring your 'indoor voice' and utmost respect for your host and other guests. If you go here and cause a disturbance or damage, steal the bath robes etc or cause any other problems...I WILL FIND YOU! (^_-)

Wonderful, affordable and authentic experience!

Lovely traditional Ryokan! The hosts were very friendly and helpful. WiFi is good. Breakfast was great. The private onsen is very special. Would highly recommend.
N.b to reach this Ryokan take the Nohi bus from takayama station towards shinhotaka ropeway. If you get off two stops after tochio onsen (kamitochio) the Ryokan is directly opposite the bus stop.

Hozanso

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