Overview

Wanosato sits in a quiet mountain valley just outside Takayama, surrounded by untouched forest and the gentle flow of the Miyagawa River. Spread across 45,000 square meters of natural land, this traditional ryokan offers a deep connection to Japan’s countryside. You can enjoy the seasons through your window, listen to local folklore by the fire, and slow down in a place where time feels different.

Built in the traditional style of the Hida region, Wanosato blends Japanese aesthetics with thoughtful design. Every building is crafted to stay cool in summer and warm in winter, making your stay comfortable throughout the year. The ryokan invites you to experience the beauty of imperfection and simplicity—the heart of Japanese “wabi-sabi.”

Accommodation

Wanosato features eight rooms spread across individual buildings and the main house, each one built with care and character. Each suite has its own personality and layout, but all offer spacious interiors, hinoki (Japanese cypress) baths, and peaceful views of the surrounding forest and river.

• Tenryo: A 12-tatami mat room with a terrace, meeting room, and full hinoki bath.
• Garyu: Includes a tea room, sunken hearth, and multiple tatami rooms for a more spacious and traditional experience.
• Kariyasu / Kuraiyama: Offers a cozy ondol-style heated room along with meeting space and a hinoki bath.
• Ichinomiya: Features three separate areas including a meeting room and full hinoki bath.
• Miyanoma: A quiet space with large tatami rooms and a hinoki bath.
• Hida: A simpler layout with two connected tatami rooms and a hinoki bath.

Every room includes yukata robes, toothbrushes, and basic amenities. Women also receive a healing skincare set and body sponge. Men receive shaving tools and grooming items. You can request extra pillows or humidifiers as needed.

Dining

Dinner at Wanosato is a full Kaiseki meal, served with care and built around seasonal, local ingredients. You’ll enjoy dishes that reflect the landscape—wild vegetables, mountain herbs, and fresh river fish like rockfish and sweetfish. Hida beef is often included, cooked to highlight its deep flavor and tenderness.

Meals are served near the sunken hearth in the main building, where local staff might share folk tales and stories from the region. You can enjoy a drink of traditional kapposake as you relax by the fire. Meals change with the season and showcase Japan’s respect for nature’s rhythm.

Onsen and Wellness

Wanosato’s hot spring—registered as “Hida Kuraiyama Onsen”—flows from a source on the property. You can soak in two unique bath settings:

• The Rock Bath: Built with massive stones from the Jomon era, this bath releases natural minerals and trace radium that help your skin retain moisture and promote relaxation.
• The Full-Hinoki Bath: Made entirely of Japanese cypress, this bath offers large windows and calming views of the forest. You can enjoy the soft scent of the wood while soaking in the warm water.

Each guest room also has a private indoor hinoki bath with views of the garden. While these baths use regular water (not hot spring water), they offer a quiet space for a personal soak.

Guests with Tattoos

If you have tattoos, please contact the staff in advance. The private room baths are available and allow everyone to enjoy the bathing experience comfortably.

Facilities

Wanosato doesn’t overwhelm you with large facilities. Instead, it focuses on simple comforts. The main house includes a shared hearth where you can sit and enjoy drinks or stories. The dining area is warm and inviting, lit by natural light and open to the surrounding landscape.

The design of the buildings reflects the Hida region’s style, using local wood and traditional craftsmanship. Every corner of the ryokan connects you to the forest and mountains.

Activities

While staying at Wanosato, you can take a slow walk along the river, sit outside and listen to the wind through the trees, or enjoy tea as the seasons change outside your window. The inn is just a short drive from Takayama’s downtown area, where you can explore old merchant streets, local markets, and museums.

If you’re interested in the culture of the area, the staff can share stories about Hida’s history, architecture, food, and folk traditions. Wanosato offers a deeper experience than just sightseeing—it invites you to live inside Japan’s mountain heritage.

Additional Features

• Private full-hinoki baths in all rooms
• Public indoor and outdoor hot spring baths
• Seasonal Kaiseki meals
• Large natural property with forest paths
• Traditional hearth and story time in the evenings
• Access to Takayama city within 20 minutes
• Complimentary yukata and in-room toiletries
• Local drinks including kapposake available on site