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Families, Couples & Honeymoons
Staying in a ryokan (a traditional Japanese inn) is a wonderful experience that offers an insight into traditional Japanese culture.
For those looking for a quintessential ryokan experience in the Japanese countryside, the Ryokan Tanabe, located in the mountainous city of Takayama, is a perfect choice.
Situated in the heart of Takayama, the Tanabe Ryokan offers an opportunity to enjoy authentic Japanese culture, hospitality and food.
This family-run ryokan has been in business for more than 80 years and the owners, Mr and Mrs Tanabe, are gracious hosts who will do their best to ensure that you have an enjoyable stay.
Food is an integral part of the ryokan experience and at the Tanabe Ryokan you can enjoy a local breakfast and an traditional ‘kaiseki’ multi-course meal served in the privacy of your own room.
Located in Central Honshu, Takayama is the gateway to the Japanese Alps and the historic village of Shirakawa-go, a UNESCO world heritage site.
This charming town still maintains the atmosphere of the Edo period and the Old Town has been beautifully preserved with many buildings and entire streets of houses dating from the Edo period.
The Ryokan Tanabe is located on one of the old streets of this historic town, 7 minute walk from Takayama Station, making it an excellent base for exploring the Old Town and the morning market, or visiting Takayama Samurai House, Nakabashi (Naka Bridge) and Hida Kokubunji Temple.
You can also take a scenic 3.5km walk along the Higashiyama Walking Trail.
The Tanabe Ryokan has 17 traditional Japanese-style rooms with ensuite bathrooms featuring a hinoki wood Japanese bath. Some rooms have spot gardens which add to the traditional atmosphere of this ryokan.
The air-conditioned rooms feature tatami (woven-straw) flooring and Japanese futons. Traditional ryokan rooms have minimal furniture and your room at the Tanabe Ryokan will be simply furnished with a low central table and traditional zaisu (chairs without legs). Although the rooms are very traditional they also feature modern touches such as Wi-fi, TV, fridge, and tea/coffee making facilities.
The Tanabe Ryokan also has a beautiful rock bath and a Japanese cypress wood bath (there are separate bathing times for women and men).
Massage treatments are available on request, and guests can relax in the indoor and outdoor baths. Free coffee is served in the lobby, and WiFi is available throughout the ryokan.
Guests can enjoy a typical Takayama breakfast (including tomato juice and Hohna miso soup), whilst a ‘kaiseki’ (traditional multi-course Japanese meal) is served for dinner. The menu changes according to the season.
At Wayfairer we prefer to use independently owned hotels and guest houses rather than international chains as this ensures that revenue remains in country and it provides a more authentic experience for our clients. Staying at a ryokan in rural Japan is a great way to experience Japanese culture and traditional hospitality and it will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of your trip!
The Tanabe Ryokan has been operating for more than 80 years and it has been passed on from one generation to the next. By staying here you will help to ensure that this ryokan remains in business for years to come, and perhaps in the future Mr and Mrs Tanabe can pass it on to their children or grandchildren!
Explore our Japan holidays that feature Tanabe Ryokan
Find below a list of our favourite hotels in Japan
Talk to the team
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our specialist team on +44 117 313 3300