Hodakaso Yamano Hotel

Booked to stay here for an authentic Ryokan Onsen experience on our Japan holiday. This was our first time at both a ryokan and an Onsen so we don’t have an awful lot to compare it to on those aspects. However, the positives of the hotel were that the staff were very friendly and happy to help. They spoke a small amount of English and were happy to try to assist when needed. We were greeted in the car park on arrival and a member of staff helped carry our bags to the check in desk. All of the onsens were very very good, we tried both the private outdoor one, and the mixed bathing one, both had good views and were clean. The negatives were that the hotel is dated and doesn’t seem to have been renovated since the 70s/80s (ripped fabric on furniture, wallpaper peeling off, stale smell in rooms and corridors). There are areas that are closed down which would have been nice to use, and there was no bar to purchase drinks after dinner, only a vending machine. The interior had cobwebs throughout the property, and the outside patio areas had not been cleaned, and tables and chairs had not been wiped down. The outdoor pool also had leaves in it and didn’t look very clean. Overall we feel feel we had a very mixed experience and probably wouldn’t return.

We had a wonderful time at this ryokan. We chose this inn specifically for its remote location and traditional atmosphere and were not disappointed. The hotel, outdoor onsen, and woodsy surroundings were all excellent. The building is old and reminded me of the railroad lodges of the western United States: creaky old doors and floors, metal keys, and rotary dial phones. Other than the hotel, there are no restaurants nearby (that I know of) and dinner is an elaborate kaiseki ryori that requires advanced reservations. They were able to accommodate us for dinner when we arrived around 3:00 pm, but I recommend emailing prior to your stay to be sure you have dinner reservations for your first night if you want to eat there. Otherwise, there is instant ramen in the gift shop and hot water in the room. The staff are all very friendly. Most do not speak English but did their best to communicate with us and we were able to check in and out, make dinner and breakfast arrangements, and discuss the bus schedule without a problem. If you're coming from the south or southwest, I recommend the Hida Limited Express train to get to Takayama, then the public bus to the hotel. The train and bus rides are both wonderful scenic rides into the mountains.

The place needs to go under a full maintenance throughout the whole facility. There is literarily pieces of the wooden wall falling apart at the spa. Very disappointed to learn on check in that the restaurant wouldn't accept us because we needed reservation. Needed some cleaning.

Very nice onsen and excellent dinner and breakfast. Also enjoyed the foot bath in the lobby. Great location to reach the ropeway and Kamikochi. This hotel could be a little difficult for Westerners, as very little English is spoken among the staff and the futons are very thin.

Was worried about accessibility initially but the Nohi bus service dropped us off at bus stop H57, right in front of the Hotel. The hotel also provides return shuttle bus service to Shin Hotaka Ropeway. Otherwise, very comfortable stay with sumptuous Japanese dinner and breakfast prior to my departure.

Room is alright, just no air conditioner. In night time the weather is cool in July, so just a fan also enough.

The unique outdoor onsen by the riverside which you have background music of the river. The foot spa and fireplace at hotel corner were good places to enjoy peace. Kaiseki breakfast and dinner was superb.

This hotel is old fashioned (not a bad thing) in furnishings and manner of service. It is in a beautiful location with the best outdoor onsen, mostly empty so you can enjoy the views of the snow-clad mountains in the distance. Recommended to book the half board option as the kaiseki meal in the evening was wonderful as was the traditional breakfast. All the staff, except for one (a small man with salt and pepper hair at the reception desk) were unfailingly polite, helpful and kind. One gentleman went out of his way to organise a lift to the Shinhotaka Ropeway. There are many walks in the area; ask at the Shinhotaka Onsen Information Centre (down the hill from the Ropeway). They can provide you with a mud map of walks in the area. The stay here was a delight and wished I had opted for two instead of one night. Very relaxing and reinvigorating after the hustle of Kyoto. The Nohi bus ride to the area was comfortable and most convenient as the bus stop (Yamano) was directly opposite the hotel.

I booked this hotel simply because it was close-ish to Shinhotaka Ropeway. It was a bit of a hike from Tokyo, stopping at Hirayu Onsen and changing to another bus, but the hotel itself was spectacular. Unfortunately, I was on my own so couldn’t really enjoy it like it was designed, but that was obviously not the hotel’s fault. The rooms were big, Onsen magnificent and the dinner amazing. There’s nothing in the local area so book the dinner or you will go hungry. They also drove me up to the Ropeway, which was a big help. It was about a 10 minute drive. The bus to / from Takayama drops off and leaves right in front of the hotel.

Great hotel with beautiful public outdoor. Facilities are good and staff are friendly.

The kaiseki dinners and breakfasts were amazing! You won;t do better than this anywhere in Japan! The indoor and especially the outdoor onsens are unbeatable. So beautiful with a backdrop of mountains and river. Great location next to the bus stop. Prebook the meals when you get there (or before). Deluxe rooms. Amazing views from the rooms.

The bed was a bit soft with only one pillow. Otherwise overall stay was great.

Location is an hour from Takayama so it is far and expensive by Taxi. However views are spectacular and the outdoor onsen brilliant. Food ok, very Japanese but good value.

great stay. outdoor onsen was awesome

The hot spring is great.

Amazing environment of the outdoor onsen. Must stay here if you like outdoor onsen

This hotel was fantastic although a bit dated. However, for a dated hotel, It was really clean. I gave this place a 5 because my only negatives were purely of personal preference issues. The hotel experience was amazing. The dinners were fantastic and the hot spring was beautiful. Also, there is a shuttle to take you to the rope way and other springs.

冷蔵庫に入れたものがあまり冷えなかった。露天風呂への道案内とか色々説明が細やかではなく分かりづらいところも。食事は良かったと思います　

スタッフの態度が非常に悪い。海外旅行を入れても、ここの態度と言葉遣いは初めて経験する悪さ。

温泉がとても良かったです。 お部屋は快適でしたが、エアコンが効かなかったので、暑かったです。