Koko Hotel Hidatakayama

That sixth-floor view is a nice perk, and the public bath itself is good. Still, the rooms, at least on the top floor, are unbelievably noisy, like a helicopter is stuck in the walls. The changing area is so small you’d better hope nobody else is there. A cold bath alongside the hot one would improve the bath, like at most sentos. The location is reasonably convenient, though it felt far from the station while dragging suitcases through rain late at night. Staff were reasonable, but the entrance smells strongly of smoke because the smoking room is right there. Cheap price seems to be the main draw.

We were 5-7 minutes on foot from the station and bus station, and most attractions were about 10-15 minutes away. There are plenty of little restaurants nearby, including a really lovely ramen place around the corner. Our stay was comfortable, with a very comfy bed, a fridge, and air conditioning we could control ourselves. We were on the sixth floor by the elevators but heard no corridor noise. The bathroom was a bit small for my 6'2 husband, though that seems common in Japan. Amenities are picked up downstairs, including little packets of facial cleanser, toner, and oil cleanser. The public bath and smoking area are on the ground floor, and there’s also a manga area. Breakfast is available for an extra charge, but we didn’t try it.

The staff were really friendly and helpful, and the breakfast option was good value for its quality. The room was tidy, quiet, and well organized, though relatively small, which is standard in Japan and wasn’t disappointing. The hotel is large, so expect quite a few people coming and going at check-in. It’s close to the city centre, and you can walk to all the tourist attractions. There’s parking, but you need to contact the hotel desk separately to reserve it. The amenities are also a step above. I’d recommend this place if you’re staying in Takayama for a while.

The room was clean, the bed comfortable, and there was enough space to open two large suitcases. Service was very friendly too. We especially liked that the breakfast area stays open from 3 pm to 11 pm, with cold drinks for guests and space to eat takeaway dinner. The hotel is about a five-minute walk from Takayama Station. We had a very pleasant stay and highly recommend it.