Honjin Hiranoya Bekkan hotel—often written in English travel guides as “honjin hiranoya bekkan hotel”—sits along the Miyagawa River with a front‑row view of Takayama’s signature landmark, the vivid Red Nakabashi Bridge (＊1). Although you are right in the heart of town—within a one‑minute walk of Takayama Jinya, the morning market, and the Old Town streets—the gentle murmur of the river wraps you in a calm, unhurried atmosphere.
The Honjin Hiranoya group is a long‑cherished, historic ryokan brand in Hida‑Takayama, and the Bekkan (Annex) is its warmly welcoming, easy‑to‑use property where you can settle in and feel genuinely looked after.
Honjin Hiranoya Bekkan is a ryokan that manages to be both central and serene: it stands in a tranquil setting overlooking the Miyagawa and the Red Nakabashi, even though the Old Town is only a few minutes away on foot. Inside, you’ll find quiet spaces and a classic Japanese ambience, so you can balance purposeful sightseeing with deep relaxation. While its sister property “Kachoan” caters more to adults seeking a luxury‑forward stay, the Bekkan shines as an accessible base for exploring, offering high value and heartfelt hospitality. One of the ryokan’s greatest strengths is that you can choose according to your travel purpose and style.
Honjin Hiranoya has a sister ryokan called “Kachoan,” known for a more upscale, adults‑oriented experience. At Kachoan, some rooms come with open‑air baths for a heightened sense of exclusivity, and check‑out is a leisurely 11:00 (＊3)(＊4).
By contrast, the Bekkan’s check‑out is 10:00; rates can be lower than at Kachoan, making it easy to use for family trips or travel with sightseeing as your main focus.
Both properties stand beside the Old Town streets and blend traditional Japanese atmosphere with modern comfort. If you want a more indulgent stay, choose Kachoan. If you prefer excellent value as a sightseeing base while still enjoying refined service, choose the Bekkan. Pick according to your needs.
It’s about a 10‑minute walk from Takayama Station to Honjin Hiranoya Bekkan hotel, and if you contact the ryokan in advance, you can use the free shuttle via Takayama Nohi Bus Center (＊2). They’ll also hold your luggage before check‑in and after check‑out, so you can wander around hands‑free both upon arrival and before departure (＊5).
The neighborhood is ideal for walking. From the Bekkan: Takayama Jinya, the Jinya‑mae Morning Market, and the Red Nakabashi are all one minute away on foot; the Old Town streets are a three‑minute stroll (＊5). Miyagawa Morning Market—held daily along the river—is about seven minutes on foot, perfect for picking up fresh local vegetables, pickles, and folk crafts during an early‑morning ramble (＊5).
After sightseeing, you can drive right up to the entrance; staff will valet your car to the free 50‑space parking lot, so road trips feel effortless (＊5).
Honjin Hiranoya Bekkan hotel is particularly well suited to couples celebrating an anniversary. If you want to roam the Old Town on foot and then retreat to a quiet, private‑feeling base, this is your place. With only 24 rooms, it’s an intimate ryokan with a composed mood, making it better for two or a small party than for large group trips.
If you’re seeking the flash of a big resort with multiple open‑air baths, pools, and a wide array of on‑site leisure facilities, you may find this more low‑key.
And because the property serves as a city‑center base, travelers who prioritize remote hot‑spring seclusion amid vast mountain scenery—like you’d find in Okuhida—may be happier elsewhere. If your goal is to savor Takayama’s culture, cuisine, and delicate, attentive Japanese hospitality, Honjin Hiranoya Bekkan delivers beautifully.
As a place to mark milestones, Honjin Hiranoya Bekkan offers multiple ways to stage a delightful surprise.
Book the official “Anniversary Celebration Plan” and you’ll receive five surprises bundled together: a whole cake and a sparkling‑wine toast, a commemorative gift from the ryokan, a keepsake photo taken by staff, and the complimentary use of celebratory jackets for long‑life milestones such as 60th or 88th birthdays (＊1).
You can also request extras in advance—like a flower bouquet, a large cake, or even a professional photographer—so your celebration can be tailored to what you have in mind (＊1). With the entire ryokan cheering you on, this is your moment to express a feeling you might not always say aloud—and to capture it in a form that lasts.
To record both Takayama’s signature scenery and your special moments at the ryokan, plan your route with photos in mind. Just before or after check‑in, start with a shot at the symbolic Red Nakabashi.
Across the seasons, the bridge embodies Takayama and appears in countless guidebooks and TV features (＊2). The mood shifts with the light—soft afternoon sun or the glow at dusk—so aim for the time that matches the tone of your celebration.
Back at the ryokan, head to the terrace seats in the first‑floor lobby lounge. It’s an open, easygoing space where you can relax with a drink while looking out over the Miyagawa and the Nakabashi; capture that postcard‑worthy frame with you in it.
Honjin Hiranoya Bekkan actually runs a “Yado‑Cafe” where you can enjoy coffee on the riverside terrace, and the moments spent gazing at the red bridge are truly special (＊3). Throughout the property, curated furnishings and seasonal ikebana lend a refined Japanese feel; even a spontaneous shot in the lobby or corridor becomes a memory worth keeping.
At dinner in the private dining “Matsuribayashi,” you can photograph beautifully plated kaiseki dishes amidst a celebratory mood.
Each private room is named after a float from the Takayama Festival, and the spaces feature traditional Hida craftsmanship—like Hida furniture and Hida‑dyed textiles—creating the ambience of a miniature festival (＊4). Ask the staff to take a commemorative photo when the food arrives; it’s an easy way to frame the two of you together (＊1).
After dinner, step out for a short stroll and capture a romantic night scene with the illuminated Nakabashi and the quiet Old Town as your backdrop—perfect for rounding out your anniversary story.
Share your memories in photos and on social media. At Honjin Hiranoya Bekkan, women staying overnight can borrow colorful yukata designed to look vibrant in photos.
Some options are paid, but with more than 800 patterns to choose from, you’ll find a favorite—and the entire property turns into a photo spot once you put it on (＊5). In the lobby—where traditional architecture harmonizes with modern design—or by the guestroom windows framing the Hida mountains, a two‑shot in Japanese attire becomes a standout image.
For dinner, consider asking for a tabletop celebration piece or a message card—small touches that add narrative to your images.
If you’re posting to SNS, use hashtags like the ryokan name and “Takayama Travel” or “Anniversary Trip” to help other travelers find your post. Shoot during golden hour (just after sunrise or before sunset), and play with light and shadow—such as a silhouette‑style photo in a dimly lit open‑air bath.
Takayama’s night sky is clearer than in big cities; on a fine night you can even aim for a star‑studded shot. The men’s rooftop open‑air bath “Manten,” true to its name, is a discreet spot where the stars feel within reach (please be considerate when taking photos) (＊6).
Coordinated looks—matching colorful yukata or the in‑room samue loungewear—plus a short video of a staff‑assisted surprise will give you a rich set of keepsakes you’ll enjoy revisiting together.
From rooms facing the townscape of Hida‑Takayama to riverfront tatami rooms soothed by the sound of flowing water, all 24 guestrooms at Honjin Hiranoya Bekkan offer distinct ways to unwind. Every room is non‑smoking and comes with free Wi‑Fi, ensuring both privacy and comfort (＊1).
The ryokan refreshed rooms in autumn 2021 and again in summer 2024, updating the spaces to blend Japanese sensibility with modern amenities. Below is a look at the room types and tips for choosing the best one for your anniversary stay at the honjin hiranoya bekkan hotel.
Jinya‑side Western Twin (Japanese‑modern Western room): Newly added in summer 2024, this twin blends Japanese ambience with Western comfort. From the windows you look down over Takayama Jinya and the morning market, with mountain ridgelines in the distance. The bath features a modern Shigaraki‑ware tub, and while compact, the room has playful design touches (＊2). Sleeps 2.
River‑side Japanese Room: A tatami room facing the Miyagawa, available in 10‑tatami or 12‑tatami sizes. It’s a popular choice where you can relax to the sound of the river, and it accommodates up to five guests. The 12‑tatami type has a separate bath and toilet for easy use (＊3). From the enclosed veranda, you can see the Red Nakabashi and riverside scenery and feel the seasons passing.
Town‑side Japanese Room: A quiet tatami room facing the shopping street, ideal for 1–2 guests. Take in Takayama’s streetscape up close and settle into the mood of a storied castle town (＊5). Compared with the river‑side rooms, the view is simpler, but the low foot traffic keeps it very quiet—perfect for a hideaway‑style stay.
River‑side Western Twin: A corner room on the riverside that was renovated into a Western twin (autumn 2021 update). It features electric reclining beds by France Bed; use them like a sofa for a supremely relaxed feel (＊4). Open the windows to invite in the river’s whisper and linger over views of Takayama. Sleeps 2.
For an anniversary, think about view and how you want to spend your time. If you value a “quintessential Hida‑Takayama view,” choose a river‑side room overlooking the Miyagawa and the Red Nakabashi.
For couples and families alike, the 12‑tatami Japanese room feels spacious. With separate bath and toilet, long stays are comfortable, and the windows frame spring cherry trees, lush summer greens, blazing autumn leaves, and winter snow—four distinct faces of Takayama.
If “a sense of occasion and comfort” is your priority as a couple, the Jinya‑side Western Twin is ideal. From upper floors, you can survey the Jinya‑mae Morning Market, and the refined Japanese‑modern space lets you savor time just for two. If you prefer sleeping in beds—or if you’re an older couple who’d rather avoid setting up futons—this Western option is a smart choice.
If you prize a quiet, settled environment, include the town‑side Japanese room in your considerations. The view isn’t dramatic, but with almost no foot traffic after dark, you enjoy surprising stillness for a city location. Keeping the scenery understated can help you focus on time together, creating a cozy hideaway feel.
If you’re thinking, “I love tatami but I also want beds,” pick the river‑side Western Twin. You get the ease of electric beds while traditional scenery unfolds outside your window—an easygoing, mixed‑style way to celebrate. Since each room type has its own strengths, set your priorities across view (river or town), bedding (beds or futons), and wet‑area layout, and the choice becomes straightforward.
Make the most of your stay by using the property’s amenities. All rooms include a TV, refrigerator, safe, electric kettle, tea set, and hair dryer; you can request items like an iron or phone chargers from the front desk.
Samue loungewear is provided for relaxing comfort; feel free to wear it as you move around the building. Slip into matching samue after a bath and wander the corridors together—it’s a simple way to share a pleasantly out‑of‑the‑ordinary mood.
For an “in‑ryokan date,” write letters to each other in the riverside lounge or on the terrace, then trade them; later, settle into the softly lit lobby with local sake or wine and enjoy an unhurried conversation. Side‑by‑side by the guestroom window, just watching the view, becomes a quiet luxury that feels unique to a ryokan.
You’ll notice miniature rickshaws and curated objects that reflect Hida‑Takayama culture around the property; touring these displays together sparks easy conversation. You don’t even need to step outside to enjoy a full “special date” feeling right here.
Bathing at Honjin Hiranoya Bekkan centers on the panoramic large baths fed by Hida‑Takayama Onsen and the women‑only detached bathhouse “Relax Kura.” On the top floor (7F), the men’s indoor bath “Tsukiakari‑no‑Yu” and the women’s indoor bath “Kirara‑no‑Yu” look out over the Miyagawa and Shiroyama below, with the Northern Alps on the horizon.
In spring you gaze at riverside cherry blossoms; in summer, deep green mountains; in autumn, crimson and gold foliage; and in winter, a white snowscape—the seasons color your soak just beyond the window (＊1). On the men’s side, beyond a door from the indoor bath lies the open‑air bath “Manten,” where you can admire the Northern Alps by day and claim the starry sky and Takayama night view by night (＊2). There’s also a sauna to ease travel weariness to the core.
The women‑only “Relax Kura” is a characterful, detached bathhouse created by renovating an old townhouse, offering a near‑private feel. White‑walled storehouse architecture, a tiny courtyard garden, and amber‑hued beams conjure a nostalgic world, as if you’ve slipped back to the Meiji era (＊3).
After your bath, sip herbal tea in the adjoining rest area while you look out at the Miyagawa and rickshaws crossing the red bridge (＊3). Use is limited to women staying at the ryokan; elementary‑school‑age children and younger are not permitted. Spa treatments are also available by reservation, so you can give yourself a well‑deserved reward.
Because men’s and women’s baths are separate, it helps to plan your time. Before dinner, for instance, he can enjoy the top‑floor men’s bath with its open‑air tub and sauna, while she heads to Relax Kura for a long, quiet soak and a restorative treatment—separate plans, equally indulgent.
Afterwards, meet in the lobby lounge or on the riverside terrace. As you cool down, take a few photos together—your refreshed smiles will say it all.
In the morning, enjoy separate baths again and then regroup to start the day feeling renewed.
At Honjin Hiranoya Bekkan, the large baths open from 5:00 for both men and women (Relax Kura opens from 6:00 for women), so you can savor the quiet at off‑peak times. One more soak before check‑out sets you up beautifully for an after‑check‑out walk, with no lingering fatigue and the best possible mood.
Honjin Hiranoya Bekkan is known for its cuisine. You’ll savor kaiseki that highlights Hida’s seasons, along with regionally rooted flavors like Hida beef and local sake. Dinner is served in the private dining “Matsuribayashi,” so you can focus on your time together without worrying about others.
One signature is the Hida Beef Tasting Kaiseki: a luxurious course where A5‑grade Hida beef may appear as steak, shabu‑shabu, and hōba‑miso grilled, among other preparations (＊1). The monthly kaiseki, crafted with care from ingredient selection to technique, features seasonal vegetables and fresh seafood delivered straight from the Sea of Japan.
At breakfast, choose Japanese or Western. The Japanese set includes comforting dishes like hōba‑miso and house‑made tofu, while the Western set features items like freshly baked bread and scrambled eggs. Pick what suits your morning mood (＊1).
Having both dinner and breakfast in a private room at “Matsuribayashi” yields real benefits for an anniversary trip. You won’t be distracted by others’ conversations or glances, so your own talk flows easily. With mostly chair‑and‑table seating, there’s less strain on your legs and back—especially helpful if sitting on the floor is tough or if you’re an older couple.
Service timing is handled with care: the team coordinates so dishes arrive without long gaps, and you enjoy everything at its best (＊2).
If you’re planning a surprise, a private room lets you bring out a cake or a gift without self‑consciousness, and it’s easy to coordinate details with the staff beforehand.
They also do their best to accommodate allergies and disliked ingredients (＊2). While the ryokan specializes in Japanese cuisine, you can also request Western‑style cakes and wine—another sign of flexible, guest‑first service. This intimate setting and attentive approach make your celebratory meal all the more memorable.
To elevate a special‑day table, consider add‑on dishes and drink pairings. Honjin Hiranoya Bekkan offers a good range of items to complement the standard kaiseki.
If you want even more Hida beef, go for the “Hida Beef Hōba‑Miso Steak,” where rich miso and fragrant, seared beef harmonize beautifully with both rice and sake (＊3). You can also order local favorites like “Tsukemono Steak” (a Takayama specialty of warm pickles) or a boat‑platter of sashimi featuring fresh seafood from the Hokuriku coast.
From the sister property’s sushi counter “Sushi‑cho,” you can have the celebrated “Hida Beef Nigiri” delivered to your private room (＊4). Lightly seared on one side and finished with special salt, it melts on the tongue—an indulgence you won’t soon forget.
As for drinks, try the best of Hida. There’s a wide range of local sake; a tasting flight of several labels is a fun way to compare. From seasonal, sommelier‑selected bottles to light, fragrant styles that are easy to sip, pick pairings together to suit each dish and keep the conversation lively.
If you’re not drinking alcohol, you’ll still find festive options: Hida grape juice, Japanese black tea brewed from local tea leaves, and more. Finding your ideal pairing is part of the joy of an anniversary dinner.
Day1
【14:00）Arrive at Takayama Station. Meet the ryokan’s complimentary shuttle, hand over your luggage, and start exploring unencumbered.
【14:30）Wander the Old Town near the ryokan (around Kami‑Sannomachi). Stroll past Edo‑period merchants’ houses, sample local sake at a brewery storefront, and browse traditional craft shops to get a feel for Takayama culture.
【15:30）Check in. After a welcome drink, you’re shown to your room.
【16:00）He heads to the top‑floor panorama bath; she slips away to Relax Kura. Enjoy an unhurried soak that melts away travel fatigue.
【18:00）Dinner in your private dining room. Savor the seasonal kaiseki, then smile as the celebration cake makes its entrance. Receive your commemorative photo taken by staff and revel in an intimate dinner for two.
【20:00）After dinner, stroll to the illuminated Nakabashi. The river reflects the red bridge in a dreamy scene that’s completely different from daytime—perfect for a keepsake photo. Back in your room, wind down with hot tea and a quiet evening together.
Day2
【7:00）A fresh morning. He breathes the crisp air from the open‑air bath; she enjoys a morning soak at Relax Kura.
【8:00）Breakfast in your private dining room. The aroma of hōba‑miso whets your appetite; choose a gentle Japanese set to recharge (or opt for Western—your call).
【9:00）Visit the Jinya‑mae Morning Market. Chat with stallholders and browse fresh produce, handmade pickles, and folk crafts—great for gifts.
【10:00）Check out. Leave your luggage at the front desk and keep exploring, light and free.
【10:30）Walk to the Takayama Festival Floats Exhibition Hall to admire the lavish festival floats up close (recommended outside the spring/autumn festival dates).
【12:00）Pause at a café near the ryokan and take one last lingering look at the Miyagawa.
【13:00）Return to Honjin Hiranoya Bekkan, pick up your bags, and head to Takayama Station by shuttle or on foot—reluctantly concluding your anniversary escape in Takayama.
*If you time your visit for the Takayama Festival in spring (April 14–15) or autumn (October 9–10), you can catch the evening processions and mechanical puppet performances—a rare experience. In winter, account for possible snow in your schedule; the snow‑dusted Old Town and Nakabashi are breathtaking sights you can only get this season.
When you set out to celebrate an anniversary, you want time to feel more meaningful than usual. With Hida‑Takayama’s cultural scenery and attentive service as its backdrop, Honjin Hiranoya Bekkan becomes an ideal stage for marking your milestones.
The location overlooking the Old Town, the sense of privacy throughout, the thoughtful surprises, and the memorable cuisine—everything is designed so you can preserve once‑in‑a‑lifetime moments in the best possible way.
Stepping away from everyday routines to spend time here gives you space to reconnect and to add a new shared page to your story. With Takayama’s timeless atmosphere as your companion, come and experience an exceptional anniversary stay at the honjin hiranoya bekkan hotel.