One of the best hotels I’ve ever been to! Such charming and interesting decor, sweet and friendly staff, and cosy tatami room with private ensuite. The meals were amazing! I recommend both the dinner and the breakfast! The onsen was lovely and they swap the men’s and women’s every night so you can experience both. The location is a very comfortable short walk to the main areas and literally right next door to the row of shrines. They can pick you up and drop you off at the station with notice but I walked with my backpack roughly 18 minutes. I particularly loved looking at the snow fall into the interior garden from my room, the beautiful yukata (I wish I could buy the haori ! 😭) and how they set up my futon with a blanket heater to make it extra cozy in the winter.

Excellent and helpful staff who made our stay at Yamakyu so memorable. We had dinner and breakfast there- both were so good and a great way to experience the local culture and cuisine. The onsen baths were great place to relax after a long day touring Shirakawa-go. As we were leaving for the bus station, they made arrangement for us to ride with their supplies delivery person who happened to be there. Thank you!

A little further from bus and train station, about 15 mins walk. But the way the staff was so nice and welcoming, it is worth the short walk. They do offer rides to the station after check out if arrangement is made the night before.

I absolutely love Yamakyu!!!!!! This is my fourth visit, and 3rd time I have come for my birthday (50th this time). This was the first hotel I booked (5-6 months in advance) and planned the rest of the trip around it. This Inn has a very special place in my heart. The staff is excellent and remember my birthday each year. This may become an annual tradition. The food is excellent and as good many of the more expensive ryokans. It is usually the same each visit, but it is very good, Hida beef hot pot, tempura and a pastry covered soup and other tasty things. I really enjoy breakfast there, the hoba miso is delicious. This time I got a room looking out on to a little Japanese garden. The Japanese baths are wonderful, and you get 2 to choose from, and you can switch and try the others (male side; female side) in the morning. You can also visit the Takayama morning markets, they are nice but I have found what is sold there tends to differ each time. Takayama is a nice city although it has gotten so much more touristy since I first came in 2015.

Sometimes I have problems with the thickness of the futon (hard bed), but they will add another on top if you ask which helps a little. If I keep writing such good reviews of this place (which are well deserved) I may not be able to get in because it is so popular. It is best to book in advance.

The FOOD. So amazing. Beautiful, over the top Japanese dinner and breakfast. The STAFF. The best hosts ever. We are newbies to Japan and they were gracious and kind and helpful.

It was clear what the rooms would be like but getting up and down off the floor was hard on my old knees. If I had been younger it would not have bothered me in the least. The futons once lying down were great. That said, if you are a huge luggage person hauling tons of stuff the room might seem small as is most of Japan’s hotels compared to North America. We travel with carry on sand backpacks and it was fine.

It was our first ryokan experience and we absolutely loved it The ryokan is located 20 minutes from the train station, which can be quite a walk. That said, it is centrally located in terms of the historical landmarks. They also offer a shuttle bus for check in/out. Stuff was extremely friendly and made us feel home. Rooms were specious and pretty. Futons were more soft than I expected and we had a good comfortable sleep (2 nights). Our room had own toilet and sink. There was no private shower. Instead, they offer onsen experience - they have 2 bath rooms separated by gender. The baths had all necessary for a wash and it was a great exoe to relax in onsen afterwards. They also provided yukatas, which was super cool to try on. Our stay also came with breakfast and dinner. Each meal was different from the other. We eat a lot and we were full. Everything was delicious. We would definitely come back

The ryokan is, as far as I understand, not accessible. There was no individual fridge in the room. Instead, they provided fridge locker in the lobby. Also, there is no ice machine on the property (I kind of got used to hotels having them in Japan). Also, not really a minus but rather a FYI for potential guests - you cannot reserve an onsen for a private use.

That was fantastic experience to have in Japan. This traditional ryokan has really good location for me - quite and not crowded. If you are staying here - please take option with both breakfast and dinner as it is one of the greatest food experience to try. Staff of the hotel are extremely polite and some of them speak good English. Transfer from and to hotel is available, but you need to mention you need it in advance. Outstanding onsen is also included, with inside and outside baths :) Rooms are traditionally decorated, they also provide a yukata to wear inside the hotel, tea and some sweet welcome complement in room :) Small souvenir shop located on the 1st floor. There are good parks around the hotel, also some walking paths are located nearby. Main sights in 5-10 minutes from the hotel.

There is no things I didn't like :)

The Oyado Yamakyu ryokan can boast a whole range of very good points: friendly and helpful staff, wonderful premises, extremely well-located right next to the historical neighbourhood of Takayama... but what beats everything else is the quality of the meals there: I spent 5 weeks in Japans and ate a variety of delicious food that I'm going to miss without a doubt, but nothing ever came close to what I had at Oyado Yamakyu for dinner and breakfast. I would come back again for the sole sake of eating there - it was truly amazing!

Nothing, everything was perfect!

If I could give this place 15/10 I would... such a beautiful traditional Japanese experience. The room was large and the futon bed was super comfy, green tea in the room and free coffee machine available in common area. The inn itself is beautiful and old, with lovely furniture and a little zen garden. The included dinner was outstanding, a huge banquet of various dishes in a gorgeous and peaceful dining room. The breakfast was the same, so diverse and carefully prepared. Hot baths are spacious and they provide moisturisers on top of the usual shower products, a lovely touch. Staff speak decent English enough to help you with what you need. Do it!

Exceptional stay at a traditional Japanese ryokan. Friendly staff from the moment you step foot into the building. Warm and welcoming. Free shuttle pick up and drop off service. Rooms are SO SPACIOUS with private toilet/sink area. Shared shower in the onsen pool area. Onsen pool was so relaxing! Now the star of the show - the dinner and breakfast included in our stay. Sensational. Traditional Japanese meals with great explanations. They even adjusted our meal for no meat option. Blown away from the service. Would recommend this ryokan to everyone who is visiting Japan. A must stay! Thank you for the lovely picture we got to take home, we left with a smile :D

Nothing- was great

This was my first ryokan experience and it was absolutely wonderful!! The staff were very friendly and sweet, I felt right at home! They prepare your meals in advance so don't worry about eating out and make sure to eat all their delicious traditional food, I especially loved the local Hoba Miso! <3 The onsen was also very relaxing, it's nice that they switch onsens every night so you can experience both of them. The yukata provided felt very nice and lovely as well. Being right by the temples was a great surprise to explore and it's also just a few blocks away from the most charming streets of Takeyama! Would definitely stay again! :)