Jas Hotel Takayama

The location was the only thing we liked. We spent a month in Japan, and this was our worst accommodation. It was very dirty: stains covered the bedroom carpets, and the shared bathrooms looked like they hadn’t been cleaned in ages, with spit all over the mirrors. The beds were awful, with springs digging into me and keeping me from sleeping well. The advertised free Wi-Fi didn’t work, so we had to use mobile data. At 10 pm, staff were shouting in the hallways; we could also hear the front desk phone from the second floor and loud noises like a washing machine running.

Getting your bags up the steep approach is a challenge, especially with large luggage. There’s only a shared public bathroom and toilet, so it feels more like a hostel than a hotel. Also, a group was partying very late at night and staff did nothing about it. That was annoying, and it’s not a good place to relax after a long day trip.

We didn’t try the restaurant, but the guesthouse was a simple Japanese-style place without frills, exactly as expected. The short uphill walk didn’t bother us, though it could be a problem if you tire easily or have lots of suitcases. There’s also a nice view to enjoy while having a cigarette. Five stars for what it is.

The location was the one good point. With a steep uphill walk to reach the hotel, carrying luggage was hard, especially for my mom, who has trouble with her legs. The dirty bathroom had spider webs and mold on the walls. Some hair dryers were broken or weak. It didn’t feel like a hotel at all, more like a hostel.