Overview of Ryokan Tanabe in Takayama

an authentic and luxury ryokan experience at a good value price point

the ryokan tanabe experience

A ryokan is a traditional Japanese inn, founded on the Japanese concept of omotenashi – a deep respect for hospitality. They are very peaceful and minimalist spaces and feature elements such as tatami rooms (sleeping on the floor on futons), sliding shoji screen doors between rooms, Japanese style baths and local kaiseki cuisine featuring the best produce in the area. As shoes must be removed, guests are also typically provided with yukata (a cotton kimono) and slippers.

80 year old Ryokan Tanabe delivers on all aspects of the ryokan experience with authenticity and quality – expect 17 clean well kept rooms with ensuites, deep Japanese onsen baths (private and communal) flowing with the hot spring water of the region, beautiful yukata for each guest and a quiet relaxing atmosphere. An hour in your own personal wooden onsen with the crisp, fresh air flowing in from your private garden courtyard is a truly restorative feeling. A lot of Japanese ryokans only have shared onsen facilities so having a private one in your room is a real luxury!

As a minimalist environment, don’t expect too many bells and whistles and the wifi is pretty patchy. The peak of technology here is the Japanese style toilet – though admittedly, those things would make Elon Musk proud. Come ready to switch off and disconnect from screens and the outside world!

Note that as per tradition, your futons are set out at the end of each day after dinner and removed every morning after breakfast. They are also not the typical thick mattresses you might expect at a Western hotel or in your home but it is all part of the experience.

daily kaiseke meal

The highlight at Ryokan Tanabe is the food – a twice daily kaiseki feast (breakfast and dinner) brought to your room and set at traditional Japanese tables with floor seats. Expect a variety of generous and well presented dishes featuring local Takayama specialties such as melt-in-your-mouth Hida beef and pickled fish. We experienced the daily kaiseki over our three night stay and each meal was different from the last accompanied by staples of hot tea, rice, miso soup, pickled vegetables and an assortment of sashimi.

There’s A LOT of food, but take as much time as you like – hot dishes are kept piping hot using oil burners and when you’re done, someone will arrive to clear your plates and set up your futons for sleeping.

what else is in takayama?

Although a smaller town, there’s plenty to see and do in Takayama – and it’s easy to access via JR Takayama station. The old town is charming, with a food market, cobbled streets and many residents still living in the original, traditional style homes. Don’t leave without trying the local Hida beef buns, visiting a sake distillery, trying a local onsen and walking through the various forests. It’s a welcome change of pace from the neon lights and crowds of Tokyo and Kyoto!