HOTEL AMANEK HidaTakayama

The staff were very kind and welcoming, and we had a great stay at Hotel Amanek Hida. Our room felt especially spacious by Japan standards, with a lovely in-suite bathroom and shower. The upper-level onsen was a highlight, with a sauna, cold plunge pools, and hot tubs for unwinding after a day around town. One disappointment: without buying breakfast, you can't get coffee at the hotel in the morning. Even so, I'd recommend it to people visiting Takayama.

The baths were a nice feature, with one gender-mixed area where you wear a swimsuit and another separated by gender where guests bathe naked. There are also a washing machine and microwave. We stayed two nights in this brand-new hotel, about a seven-minute walk from the station. The room was larger than average for a Japanese hotel, and breakfast was very nice. Highly recommended.

The top-floor onsen has separate men's and women's areas as well as a mixed section, and both the men's and women's sides have a sauna. We loved the views, and the water was hot, clean, and relaxing. Toiletries are at the front desk, and you can rent a bathing suit if needed. A local high school also put on a calligraphy demonstration for guests with refreshments, which we enjoyed. Our room was modern, extremely clean, and a comfortable size, with room to move around, extra seating, a very comfortable bed, and a spacious bathroom with a walk-in shower and separate toilet. Check-in and check-out were quick and easy. We arrived early and they held our bags until check-in; luggage storage after checkout also seemed to be available. Getting around was easy: the train and bus station is a four-minute walk away, and the main area takes around 8-10 minutes on foot. There's a 7 Eleven nearby along with plenty of restaurants. Canadian traveller.

The staff were amazing and helpful, and we'd definitely recommend staying here. We found the rooms clean and spacious, with private bathrooms. The onsen was a lovely way to finish the evening: there are separate women's and men's baths, plus a mixed-gender one where you wear swimwear. Tattoos are allowed in that mixed bath. The sauna and cold plunge were also really nice.