Okuhida Garden Hotel Yakedake is a ryokan-style hotel at Okuhida Onsengo, in the mountains of the Chubu Sangaku National Park, a road or bus journey from central Takayama. It is a three-class property with 85 rooms, and guests rate it as excellent. Its attraction is the setting: the hot-spring village is a minute away on foot, Hirayu Onsen is a short drive and the Shinhotaka Ropeway is about half an hour away. Rooms are mostly Japanese-style with tatami and futon bedding, sleeping up to five, along with a larger twin room, and they have mountain views. Mineral hot-spring baths are the highlight, with indoor pools and, according to guests, outdoor baths that stay open into the evening.
Location and getting around
This is a base for the mountains, not the old town. The Okuhida hot-spring villages sit beneath the Northern Alps, and the valley offers waterfalls, a bear park, walking trails and in winter a deep layer of snow that suits a hot bath. Free parking makes the hotel easy for drivers, and buses connect the area with Takayama and the ropeway, though services are less frequent than in town, so plan your timetable. Many guests combine one night here with two in Takayama.
Rooms, baths and dining
A half-board plan includes dinner and breakfast, with a Hida beef dinner among the options, and there is also a restaurant and a cafe on site. Breakfast can be added for a charge where it is not included. Bathing is the reason to stay: soak after a day outdoors, rinse first, keep towels out of the water and check the schedule for the outdoor baths.
The hotel also has a karaoke room, free Wi-Fi in the rooms, newspapers and a safe at the desk. Rooms have a fridge, a kettle and a bathroom with a bidet. Children are welcome, and the Japanese-style rooms sleeping five suit families who are happy to share a futon room.
Who it suits and what to know: couples, families and walkers who want a mountain hot-spring night. Check-in is in the afternoon and ends early in the evening with no late arrivals, so plan to reach the hotel before dark, and check-out is before ten. Day-trippers should remember that the last bus back can leave early, which is a good reason to stay overnight rather than rush a visit.
Pets are not allowed, though service animals are welcome. Autumn leaves, winter snow and the holiday periods are busy, so book early and compare meal plans and room types. Mountain roads can be affected by snow and closures, so check road and bus conditions before you travel, and bring warm layers and sturdy shoes for the walking trails.
Why stay here
- ✓Mineral hot-spring baths
- ✓Outdoor baths reported by guests
- ✓Half-board dinner plans
- ✓Restaurant and cafe
- ✓Free self-parking
- ✓Free in-room Wi-Fi
- ✓Karaoke room
- ✓Mountain-view rooms
Good questions
Is it in central Takayama?+
No. It is in the Okuhida hot-spring area in the mountains, a road or bus journey from Takayama. Check transport and timings before booking.
Are meals included?+
Half-board plans include dinner and breakfast, and room-only rates are also available. Check when you book.
Is parking free?+
Yes, free self-parking is available.
