Miyama Ouan, Hirayu Onsen

This spectacular hotel is set around hot springs, known in Japan as onsen.

Miyama Ouan boasts its own indoor and outdoor thermal baths, as well as private baths in some of the rooms. It’s definitely worth the affordable upgrade fee to get a bath in your room, where you can look out over the mountains while you relax.

We were there in winter so the entire area was blanketed in snow, which only added to the atmosphere. If you don’t want to venture out into the elements there is really no need, with food available on site. That said, there are a few good restaurants in town if you do fancy a walk.

If not, you can get breakfast and dinner at the hotel. The breakfast is an experience, with traditional Japanese dishes like steamed fish and miso soup on offer. It takes some getting used to but it’s great when you do. Dinner is free: ramen dished up in the lobby at 10 p.m. If you want other food, there is an on-site shop with snacks.

The staff couldn’t be more helpful and all of them speak great English. Miyama Ouan is a special place and definitely worth the journey up into the mountains. It’s around an hour by bus from Takayama, connected by train to the rest of Japan.

Miyama Ouan

229 Okuhida Onsengo Hirayu
Takayama, Gifu 506-1433
Japan
tel 81 578 89 2799