Asunaro Ryokan

Rooms

There are 19 Japanese-style guest rooms at Asunaro, five of which have their own Japanese style 'irori' (hearth) similar to the one in the lobby. Each room type features the typical aspects of ryokan decoration, with tatami flooring, shoji screen (sliding doors) and futon mattresses. You’ll enjoy your exquisite meal in your room. The strong esthetic is found throughout the hotel, with old wood, Japanese paintings and local arts and crafts decorating the communal spaces.

Location

This architectural gem is located in a quiet neighborhood, but within walking distance (10 mins) or short taxi to the preserved, traditional heart of Takayama and train station. The friendly family who run Asunaro are usually able to drive you to the station on check-out. There are plenty of excellent restaurants within walking distance.

Food and drink

A big part of the ryokan experience is the luxury Kaiseki style meals — both breakfast and dinner will be in the form of set menus consisting of many small Japanese delicacies, focusing on seasonal and regional ingredients. Each dish is half haute cuisine and half work of art. Normally Kaiseki is compulsory for each evening, but a great opportunity at Asunaro is to have Kaiseki one night and the next night visit one of the many excellent restaurants — such as Kyoya, located in a traditional building with an excellent ‘local’ atmosphere and a menu that focuses on regional ingredients, including the signature dish ‘Hoba Miso’, local high-grade beef mixed with miso and cooked at your table on a leaf over a specific candle-heater.

Families

As with all ryokan, the traditional way is for families to stay in one room together, each with their own futon mattress.

Facilities and activities

• Indoor onsen baths
• Bikes available to rent
• On-site parking

Accessibility

Since this is a traditional style building, it doesn't have accessible rooms, and has high level changes which may be difficult to manoeuvre in a wheelchair.