Guest Rooms: The guest rooms at Hilton Takayama Resort consist primarily of 35-square-meter guest rooms and 46-square-meter deluxe rooms, with a total of 10 room types, including 5 suites, for a total of 283 rooms (91 rooms were available at the time of opening; renovations are proceeding in phases, with the hotel scheduled to operate at full capacity of 283 rooms in the spring of 2027. Consequently, the number of rooms available for reservation varies by season). The interior design draws inspiration from Hida traditions and the natural beauty of the Northern Alps. In addition to Hida furniture that has been in use since the hotel’s opening, the design incorporates motifs inspired by Hida sashiko embroidery into wall coverings and carpets, evoking the warmth characteristic of Takayama. The suites, in particular, are furnished with furniture and artwork based on the “NEO Mingei” design concept—a modern reinterpretation of the beauty of local folk art. A common feature of all rooms is that the windows face southeast, offering views of Takayama in the near distance and, on clear days, the Northern Alps in the distance (though, unfortunately, clouds obscured the view on the day of our tour). Each guest room is equipped with a 50-inch large-screen TV that doubles as a digital signboard, and on either side of the bed are AC 100V outlets, a USB Type-A port (5V 2.4A), and a USB Type-C port (60W). The 60W Type-C port provides enough power to charge even modern laptops, but the guest room table is low and quite a distance from the bedside, making it unsuitable for working on a laptop in the room. If you absolutely must use a laptop, you’ll want to bring a USB Type-C cable about 3 meters long. Of course, one could argue that a resort hotel isn’t really a place to work in the first place… The room is equipped with a coffee maker, an electric kettle, packaged coffee and tea, a refrigerator, and complimentary bottles of mineral water (there are also beverage vending machines and an ice dispenser on the premises), and the amenities include the refreshingly scented “Club Tree & Evelyn” products. Dental kits, shaving kits, combs, and other items are likely made from renewable materials and are packaged in paper bags. In addition, samue robes are provided as loungewear, along with geta sandals and tabi socks. Wearing the samue, geta, and tabi socks on your way to the large public bath makes you feel as though you’re visiting a traditional hot spring inn or an outdoor bath, which really lifts your spirits. Standard Twin, Standard King, Deluxe Twin, Deluxe Suite, Premium Suite: Amenities include the shampoo, conditioner, and body wash provided by Hilton, as well as a dental kit, shaving kit, comb, cotton pads, shower cap, and skincare set.
Dining, Restaurants, and Bars: The hotel features four restaurants (plus room service): the dining room “VISTAS,” the Japanese restaurant “Waki,” the teppanyaki restaurant “Gaku,” and the lounge & bar “SCENERY.” Each restaurant features exquisite dishes prepared by top-class chefs using carefully selected ingredients from Hida Takayama. We encourage you to take this opportunity to sample traditional Hida cuisine and other dishes you might not normally have the chance to taste. Dining Room “VISTAS” · Teppanyaki “Gaku” At “VISTAS,” guests can enjoy their meals while taking in the expansive views. The culinary concept revolves around “NATURE” and “FUN,” offering the pleasure of savoring seasonal ingredients. The drink menu features Hida Takayama wines and sake, as well as beer and cocktails. At “Gaku,” guests can indulge their senses in a vibrant, live-cooking atmosphere featuring Hida Beef—Hida’s pride and joy—as well as seasonal seafood and vegetables. VISTAS Seating Capacity: 156 seats
Hours:
[Breakfast] 7:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m.
[Lunch] 11:30 a.m.–2:00 p.m. (Reservations required; set menus only)
[Dinner] 5:00 PM–9:00 PM Gaku Seating capacity: 14 seats (all counter seats)
Hours of Operation:
[Lunch] 11:30 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
[Dinner] 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM Japanese Cuisine “Waki” “Waki” serves Japanese cuisine and local premium sake. Here, you can enjoy Japanese dishes made with seasonal ingredients nurtured by the rich natural environment of Hida Takayama, as well as fresh seafood from the Sea of Japan. In addition to lunch and dinner, the restaurant reportedly offers special menus such as a lunch set that includes a day-trip hot spring experience. The bar counter, designed to resemble a Japanese garden and inspired by the Miyagawa River that flows through Takayama, is a must-see; personally, I’d love to relax here and savor some local sake (if I could drink). Waki Seating Capacity: 152 seats
Hours of Operation:
[Breakfast] 7:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m.
[Lunch] 11:30 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
[Dinner] 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM Lounge & Bar “Scenery” Since “Scenery” faces the northwest side of the building, direct sunlight does not enter the space; instead, sunlight reflecting off the stone-paved slope with flowing water streams through the large windows, casting a soft glow inside. This gentle brightness creates an elegant atmosphere inside. Under this carefully designed lighting, guests can enjoy carefully selected teas and coffees, as well as cakes and afternoon tea. There’s also a bar area that feels like a hidden retreat, serving signature cocktails such as a “Gin and Tonic” made with Hida sansho pepper and a “Frozen Hida Colada,” a twist on the “Piña Colada” originally created by Hilton (once again, it’s a shame I can’t drink alcohol…… ). Scenery Seating Capacity: 62 seats
Hours: 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. (Bar only after 6:00 p.m.)
Executive Lounge: A new Executive Lounge has been opened in conjunction with the rebranding and reopening of the Hilton Takayama Resort. This lounge is exclusively available to guests staying in Executive Rooms and Suites, as well as Hilton Honors Diamond members, and offers services such as check-in/check-out, breakfast, afternoon tea, and evening cocktails. The space was originally a row of meeting rooms, which were connected to create a spacious area. While the interior design is inspired by “tsugite”—a traditional Takayama architectural technique—it has been finished as a modern space. The chairs feature Hida furniture crafted from wood sourced in Gifu Prefecture, and the cushions are made from Hida beef leather. With its comfortable interior and outstanding views, the lounge offers a truly premium relaxation experience.
Tenbo no Yu Onsen Terrace—It’s not just me; I’m sure there are many people for whom the highlight of their stay is the baths! Hot springs! Large public baths! Ever since the early ’90s—before the internet age—I’ve been choosing accommodations on a whim based on the brief descriptions in the hotel and ryokan listings at the back of large-format train timetables, looking for details like “number of guest rooms” and “open-air bath available.” Even now, when I can carefully research accommodations online, if I’m down to a few final choices, I ultimately choose based on the baths. In that sense, the Hilton Takayama Resort is a truly satisfying facility. The large public bath, “Tenbo no Yu,” is divided by gender between “Ten no Yu” on the 7th floor and “Bo no Yu” on the 6th floor. Of course, it features natural hot springs, including several spacious open-air baths, as well as indoor baths that are gentle on the body during winter and a sauna. There’s also a trendy infinity bath, where you can relax while taking in the majestic natural scenery of the Northern Alps. Additionally, there are four private hot spring rooms, perfect for enjoying intimate moments with family or a partner. Day-use bathing is available to non-guests (7:00 AM–11:00 AM, 1:00 PM–9:00 PM; adults 1,500 yen, elementary school students 600 yen, children ages 3–preschool 400 yen), and there are day-use plans that include meals, so be sure to keep this in mind as a place to take a break while sightseeing in Takayama.
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