Surrounded by the majestic Northern Alps, Hida Takayama is filled with stunning natural landscapes that vividly display the beauty of all four seasons—a key reason for its popularity among both international visitors and locals. The town's historical and cultural richness is evident in its atmospheric old streets. As night falls, a peaceful calm envelops the town, adding to its charm.

Shirakawa-go, a World Heritage Site, is about an hour's drive from Hida Takayama. This village is known for its traditional "gassho-zukuri" thatch-roofed homes where residents maintain age-old lifestyles. In winter, the steeped roofs capped with pristine snow offer a picturesque, heartwarming scene. For those looking to explore further, Gero Onsen, one of Japan's three most famous springs, and Okuhida, a hot spring resort surrounded by nature, are perfect day trips from Hida Takayama.

“hotel around TAKAYAMA”, which opened in July 2021, is conveniently located just a 4-minute walk from JR Takayama Station. Embracing a vision of connecting guests with the best local experiences in Hida Takayama, this innovative hotel offers a fresh take on travel accommodations. In 2023, it made headlines as the Ascend Hotel Collection™, one of the largest independent hotel brands globally, launched its first hotel in Japan at this location.

Owned by Choice Hotels International — one of the largest hotel chains in the U.S. — Ascend Hotel Collection™ is an upscale brand featuring over 330 hotels worldwide. Each property is designed to engage guests with the unique stories and charm of the local area.

The concept of GOOD LOCAL at “hotel around TAKAYAMA” refers to the things, people, and experiences treasured by residents of Takayama that have taken root and bred local culture. “hotel around TAKAYAMA” is a hub offering travelers direct access to five categories of GOOD LOCAL: people, experiences, food, culture, and products.

GOOD LOCAL SQUARE encompasses the lobby and lounge on the hotel's first floor and is an embodiment of the hotel's concept. Here, guests are invited to explore the GOOD LOCAL of Hida Takayama in a variety of ways.

One method is the one hundred "GOOD LOCAL 100" cards, which depict the history of the region, people, the appeal of local cuisine and more. From top-notch tourist information to niche secrets only locals would know about, the info here is plentiful and varied. Craft your own ideal travel plan by collecting cards based on your personal interests and goals for your trip.

What kind of GOOD LOCAL treasures will you discover by staying at “hotel around TAKAYAMA”? Here, we will introduce the five GOOD LOCAL categories that represent the best of Hida Takayama.

The first GOOD LOCAL category is CULTURE. During the Edo period (1603-1867), Hida Takayama flourished as the center of Hida Province. Evidence of the area's long history is still visible all around, from quaint old buildings to venerable temples and shrines. The library and gallery inside the hotel showcase the history of the town and how its unique culture developed over time. Learning more about the town through the exhibits will make exploring it even more rewarding.

The next GOOD LOCAL category is PEOPLE. GOOD LOCAL SQUARE's "GOOD LOCAL 100" cards also introduce people who are indispensable to the history of Hida, like Nagachika Kanamori, who served as the first lord of Hida Province and is believed to have laid the foundation of Hida Takayama. You can also learn more about other key figures of Hida Takayama, such as local celebrities.

In addition, the warmth of the friendly people you meet on your travels is also a part of the GOOD LOCAL experience. The lounge and restaurant bar in the lobby on the first floor of the hotel are open to the general public, allowing hotel guests and locals to mingle. You'll also be meeting GOOD LOCAL people when interacting with the welcoming hotel staff. Feel free to ask for travel recommendations and more.

Next, let's jump into town to search for some GOOD LOCAL experiences. “hotel around TAKAYAMA” is within walking distance of most of Hida Takayama's famous sightseeing spots. One of the easiest ways to get around is on a bike, which you can rent for a fee.

Sanmachi

First, let's visit an old part of town emblematic of Hida Takayama. Lining the narrow streets are a series of Japanese-style buildings from the late Edo period (1603-1867) to the Meiji period (1868-1912). The Sanmachi district, designated as a national heritage preservation district, attracts many tourists to its sake breweries, traditional craft shops, and other attractions.

Takayama Jinya

In the Edo period, Takayama Jinya served as a base for governors and regional magistrates dispatched by the Edo government, called the "bakufu." This area is home to the country's only remaining Edo government buildings used by governors and regional magistrates.

Morning Market

The next morning, get some fresh air by heading to the Morning Market, which is held along the Miyagawa River that flows through the center of town. The Miyagawa Morning Market is open year-round and has about 40 stalls selling seasonal vegetables, fruits, flowers, specialty pickled vegetables, handicrafts, and more. While you visit the stalls, enjoy a chat with the locals.

Bike rental

There are tons of experiences you can only have here in Hida Takayama, from creative activities like traditional crafts or woodworking, expeditions into nature like trekking or snowshoeing, to guided tours that take visitors into the fascinating cultivated natural areas called "satoyama." Make sure to check out the GOOD LOCAL 100 cards to find an activity that's perfect for you.

Dinner

The local cuisine you come across on your travels is another type of GOOD LOCAL. At the restaurant HANAOKA DINING and BAR on the first floor of the hotel, you can find dishes made with produce carefully cultivated by local farmers. One popular dish is the lean-meat Hida Wagyu beef grilled on a ceramic hot plate. Pair it with the sake sampler set featuring sake from local breweries. The bar serves cocktails featuring seasonal fruits and more.

Breakfast

For breakfast, you can choose Japanese or European-style foods. Try the Japanese-style grilled fish served in a ceramic box or Hida Takayama's soul food, midarashi dango, rice dumplings topped with a sweet soy sauce glaze. The dressings, miso soup, granola, and more items served in the restaurant can also be purchased in the adjacent GOOD LOCAL SHOP.

Shop

The fifth GOOD LOCAL category is the products of Hida Takayama, where the ancient culture of craftsmanship is alive and well. During the Nara period (710-794), carpenters called "Hida takumi" were brought in to construct palaces and temples in the capital because of their advanced skills. Later, in the Edo period, traditional crafts such as Hida-shunkei lacquerware and ichii-ittobori (yew wood carving) were created, solidifying the town's status as a hub for excellent craftsmanship.

The artisans living here today have inherited this undying spirit of creativity and dedication to their crafts. The GOOD LOCAL SHOP on the first floor of the hotel features items crafted in Hida Takayama, as well as original products created just for the hotel. Food products that highlight the natural blessings of Hida Takayama are also on sale here.

Products

Now let’s learn more about “hotel around TAKAYAMA”, the perfect hub for traveling the area and connecting to GOOD LOCAL experiences. The hotel exudes a relaxing aura, as if you were nestled deep in the luscious forests of Hida Takayama. Every room is proudly furnished with locally made furniture and decorations, so you can immerse in the GOOD LOCAL atmosphere even in your room.

Japanese-style

Visitors from overseas love the Japanese-style rooms. Built using locally sourced lumber, the space is warm and inviting.

King Room

These rooms with massive king-sized beds are also popular. The Deluxe King Room features separate rooms for the bath and toilet.

The Around Floor

The top (8th) floor is a special area called “The Around Floor” that features five types of rooms. Each space is carefully designed and furnished with chairs, tables and other items made right here in Hida Takayama. Enjoy complimentary drinks in the exclusive lounge.

The Around Junior Suite is a four-bedroom suite with a view of majestic mountains. The living room with a mini kitchen is spacious and comfortable.

Onsen hot spring

Another major perk of “hotel around TAKAYAMA” is the onsen hot springs. Soak in the blissfully warm water and relieve all the fatigue from your trip. In addition to separate public baths for men and women respectively, private baths are another popular option, as they can be used by couples and co-ed groups (for a fee). All baths allow guests with tattoos.

“hotel around TAKAYAMA” facilitates GOOD LOCAL experiences for their guests and helps them enjoy their trip to the fullest in a myriad of ways. They cultivate a fresh approach to regional travel, encouraging visitors to delve deeper into the town's offerings and to experience the region more intimately through the eyes of its residents.

Hida Takayama is easily accessible by the JR Wide View Hida express train and express buses from Nagoya. Due to its inland location, the town sees harsh winters with a lot of snow. If you come during the winter months, come prepared with plenty of warm attire and snow boots.