Hodakaso Yamano Hotel

“Great dinner and breakfast package”

Onsen and rooms are fine but it’s the food that worth a 5 star rating! We ordered 1泊2食 package where dinner and breakfast were both excellent, especially if you like Hida beef. Hotel is located pretty far from the usual touristy spots and it took us at least 10-15min drive for nearby coffee shop… more

Onsen and rooms are fine but it’s the food that worth a 5 star rating! We ordered 1泊2食 package where dinner and breakfast were both excellent, especially if you like Hida beef. Hotel is located pretty far from the usual touristy spots and it took us at least 10-15min drive for nearby coffee shops/restaurants; but in return you can enjoy quieter and less crowded hot springs. Best thing with the location is the proximity to the Shinhotaka ropeway. We managed to get there early enough to avoid the queues. 🤭

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“Wonderful experience”

We were a little nervous about coming here because we have never been to a Japanese Onsen before, and it seemed really complicated to get out here, but this was an incredible experience. We took the Nohi bus from Takayama, which leaves from the train station every hour (There is a hotel shuttle fro… more

We were a little nervous about coming here because we have never been to a Japanese Onsen before, and it seemed really complicated to get out here, but this was an incredible experience. We took the Nohi bus from Takayama, which leaves from the train station every hour (There is a hotel shuttle from Takayama which is less expensive, but we couldn’t figure out how to take that one). The bus drops you off right at the hotel. The hotel is a little dated, but not in a bad way. It actually kind of adds to the charm of the place. We were in a traditional Japanese room with an incredible view of the river and mountains. The hot springs were amazing. There is a little funicular that takes you down to the river where the hot springs are (I think there were also some in the main hotel building too, but we didn’t use those). We had to learn by trial and error what to do ... you wear the robe and room slippers down to the basement level, then switch into a different pair of shoes that are sitting on the shelf. Men need to take the little white washcloth looking towel from the hotel room with them, and women can rent a brown wearable towel from the front desk for 300 yen (you wear the brown towel in the water). We went in the co-gender pool, which had incredible views of the river. We also rented the private pool for 1000 yen, which I would highly recommend. We were traveling with our 5 month old baby, and everyone was very welcoming and kind to her. Dinner was also incredible (you wear your robe and the blue jacket thingy in your room to dinner). There were a few items that were a little outside our comfort zone, but we really enjoyed 95% of what they served for dinner (food just KEPT coming), especially the fresh sashimi. It was a very cool experience. I highly recommend coming here!

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“Magical Experience”

Hodakaso Yamano Hotel Old and well maintained hotel tucked in the mountains. Exudes an old world charm where you forget the hustle and bustle of urban life. Welcoming service upon arrival where the concierge comes running to unload your luggages. The room was basically comfortable with no frills. … more

Hodakaso Yamano Hotel Old and well maintained hotel tucked in the mountains. Exudes an old world charm where you forget the hustle and bustle of urban life. Welcoming service upon arrival where the concierge comes running to unload your luggages. The room was basically comfortable with no frills. The attraction of this hotel was in the many pockets of activity to enthuse with. There was a cosy foot bath tucked in one corner on your way to the elevator. The highlight was a lovely all natural outdoor onsen 5 min walk from the hotel - owned by the hotel - opens from 5 am to 11 pm. The only access to the outdoor onsen was to take a 1-min slope lift down the steep slope. They were changing rooms but no bathing facilities at this outdoor onsen. The experience here was truly magical, soaking in the Hotspring, surrounded by natural forest and mountains, while watching the sunset. The onsen bath within the hotel was small and simple. The food served for dinner was acceptable. Breakfast was decent too. On the whole, the experience was quite magical.

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“Disappointing and not suitable for non-Japanese travelers”

We had a disappointing stay at Hodakaso Yamano Hotel and wouldn’t recommend it unless significant changes are made. The hotel is very remote, located about 1.5 hours by bus from Takayama, with no restaurants or shops nearby. Without a car, getting around or finding alternative dining options is ne… more

We had a disappointing stay at Hodakaso Yamano Hotel and wouldn’t recommend it unless significant changes are made. The hotel is very remote, located about 1.5 hours by bus from Takayama, with no restaurants or shops nearby. Without a car, getting around or finding alternative dining options is nearly impossible. The dinner experience was frustrating. You must pre-book dinner before arrival, which isn’t ideal for many travelers. The dinner menu itself is quite expensive. Breakfast, while beautifully presented, didn’t suit our tastes, and there wasn’t even coffee available—only in the lobby. The hotel is clearly outdated and in need of maintenance. The onsen is lovely, but even there we noticed safety concerns, like a loose cable dangerously close to the water in the mixed onsen. The rest of the property feels neglected, and overall cleanliness (like dust in the rooms) is lacking. Communication was another challenge. Most staff don’t speak English, which makes it very difficult for non-Japanese travelers. Only the restaurant staff spoke English and were genuinely friendly and helpful. Overall, this hotel is not suitable for international guests. The remote location, limited dining options, language barrier, and the need for maintenance make it hard to justify the price.

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