Yokoyama Observatory Tours and Activities

If you want to eat something you have to drive half an hour to Takayama or buy their dinner expensively. They charge the maximum price for the spa, 500 yen per person per day even if it is not used. Other hotels do not charge this "tax" if you do not use it.

What a treat. We were wanting to stay up near the ropeway but that was closed for repairs and the spots near there were full. I bumped into this spot on line and it felt like a secret treasure. Loved the Onsen baths. Dipped into every single one on property including my own private one in my room. We both slept great in the traditional beds on the floor. Super cozy sheets and feather pillows. Meals were outstanding. Little things needed a bit of a freshening. Like woodwork that needed refinishing and the coat/ robe you wear over your traditional pants and tops were a bit full of threads to be trimmed. Tho super cozy and soft and everything was super clean. That stuff is so small. Would totally come back.

We had a wonderful time at this ryokan. We chose this inn specifically for its remote location and traditional atmosphere and were not disappointed. The hotel, outdoor onsen, and woodsy surroundings were all excellent. The building is old and reminded me of the railroad lodges of the western United States: creaky old doors and floors, metal keys, and rotary dial phones. Other than the hotel, there are no restaurants nearby (that I know of) and dinner is an elaborate kaiseki ryori that requires advanced reservations. They were able to accommodate us for dinner when we arrived around 3:00 pm, but I recommend emailing prior to your stay to be sure you have dinner reservations for your first night if you want to eat there. Otherwise, there is instant ramen in the gift shop and hot water in the room. The staff are all very friendly. Most do not speak English but did their best to communicate with us and we were able to check in and out, make dinner and breakfast arrangements, and discuss the bus schedule without a problem. If you're coming from the south or southwest, I recommend the Hida Limited Express train to get to Takayama, then the public bus to the hotel. The train and bus rides are both wonderful scenic rides into the mountains.