Takayama Green Hotel is a large onsen hotel on Nishinoisshiki-machi, about a seven-minute walk from the station, and it is one of the best-reviewed big hotels in town. It combines a modern hotel with the pleasures of a hot-spring resort: an indoor mineral hot-spring bath, outdoor hot springs, a hot tub, a Japanese garden to walk through and a gym. Rooms come in Japanese, Western and twin styles, and a separate wing offers Comfort, Premiere and suite categories, some of them with their own open-air baths. A Deluxe Japanese Suite sleeps up to eight, which makes the hotel one of the few options for big groups. With five restaurants and a cafe on site, plus a small shopping mall, you can eat, shop and soak without leaving the building, which is handy on cold evenings.
Location and getting around
The walk from the station takes about seven minutes, and a free station pick-up is available, which helps if you arrive with heavy bags or in poor weather. The old town lanes, the Jinya and the morning markets are within reach by taxi, bicycle or a longer walk, and the hotel rents bicycles for guests who want to explore at their own pace.
Self-parking is available for a fee, with limited spaces and an electric-vehicle charger, so book a spot ahead if you are driving. Buses to Shirakawa-go and Okuhida leave from the station, which makes early starts straightforward.
Rooms and facilities
The range of rooms is the hotel's strength. Standard rooms are comfortable and well kept, while the higher categories add space, better views and, in some cases, private open-air baths on the balcony or in the room. Japanese-style rooms let you sleep on futons on tatami and are a gentle introduction to ryokan living without the formality.
The hot-spring baths are the highlight after a day out, and the garden is pleasant in every season, particularly with autumn colour or snow. Dining is unusually varied for Takayama, with several restaurants covering local dishes, and breakfast is available for a surcharge. There is also karaoke and a small shopping area, which suits groups and families who want something to do in the evening.
Who it suits and what to know: couples, families, groups and anyone who likes a hot-spring hotel with plenty of choice. It is larger and more bustling than the small inns, so for a quiet, intimate ryokan feel look at the other places in this guide.
Check bath hours and the tattoo policy when you check in, book early for the festival seasons, weekends and winter holidays, and ask about the shuttle times. If you want a private bath, enquire about rooms with their own open-air baths at the time of booking, since they are limited.
Why stay here
- ✓Indoor mineral hot-spring bath
- ✓Outdoor hot springs
- ✓Rooms with open-air baths
- ✓Five restaurants and a cafe
- ✓Japanese garden
- ✓Bicycle rental
- ✓Free station pick-up
- ✓Seven minutes to the station
Good questions
How far is Takayama Green Hotel from the station?+
It is about a seven-minute walk, and a free station pick-up is available if you prefer a ride.
Does it have hot springs?+
Yes, it has an indoor mineral hot-spring bath and outdoor hot springs, and some rooms have their own open-air baths.
Is there parking?+
Self-parking is available for a fee, with limited spaces and an electric-vehicle charger. Reserve ahead if you are driving.
