Day 1

Takayama Station

10:00 Historic Townscape

Take a stroll through the historic district that retains the atmosphere of the Edo period

Once you arrive at Takayama Station, head first to the “Old Town.” The area from Kami-Ichino-chō to Kami-Sanno-chō, which was once the merchant district of Takayama Castle Town, is designated as a Important Traditional Architectural Group Preservation District, and the rows of low-eaved townhouses create a nostalgic atmosphere.Take a leisurely stroll, stopping by craft shops drawn in by their charming signs or sampling sake and liqueurs at a sake brewery. If you get a little hungry, we recommend trying some Hida beef nigiri—a Takayama specialty—for a quick bite.

The “Hida Takayama Miyagawa Morning Market,” held every morning along the Miyagawa River, is also right nearby. You can search for Takayama souvenirs while enjoying a chat with local farmers’ wives at the stalls.

11:00 Yuhokan (HIDA GALLERY)

Discover Hida’s woodworking culture and the crafts that enrich daily life

Located in a corner of the “Old Town,” this space exudes the warmth of wood and the beauty of handcrafted artistry. It is a gallery and shop operated by “Hida Sangyo,” a long-established furniture manufacturer founded in Taisho 9 (1920) in the Hida region, where exceptional woodworking techniques have been cultivated for generations.In keeping with the area’s history, the gallery showcases crafts—primarily woodwork—created by human hands and exceptional craftsmanship. The shop offers HIDA-original furniture, as well as tableware, wooden spoons, handkerchiefs, and other daily crafts , as well as aromatherapy products that capture the scent of the forest—all designed to enrich your daily life.

It’s also a great time to take a break at the attached café, “CAFE & TABLE Kō.” Relax in a space surrounded by Hida wood, and enjoy coffee, sweets, and lunch made with Hida’s seasonal bounty, served on tableware crafted by local artisans.

12:00 Tsuzumi Soba

Savor the traditional “Takayama Ramen,” passed down through generations

When it comes to Takayama, you can’t miss “Takayama Ramen,” a local specialty said to have originated at street stalls in the early Showa era. At “Tsuzumi Soba,” founded in 1956 (Showa 31) and now run by the young third-generation owner, you can savor classic Chinese-style ramen.The broth, made from a stock of seafood, pork bones, and vegetables and simmered with soy sauce from Gifu Prefecture, is light yet full of umami. The thin, curly noodles have a light, springy texture that blends perfectly with the broth, delivering a rich, savory flavor. There are also counter seats where you can watch the careful preparation of the dishes, making it a comfortable place to dine even if you’re alone.

2:00 p.m. AWAWA HIRAYU

Savor the bounty of Shinshu and Hida through pizza and gelato

The “Shinhi Trail” connects Matsumoto in Shinshu with Hida via ancient paths, highways, and mountain passes. Located in Hirayu—the trail’s midpoint—this café and trail center opened in 2025. With the aim of serving as a bridge connecting the cultures of both regions, the establishment welcomes guests with pizzas made with seasonal ingredients from each area and homemade gelato .

There are about five flavors of gelato. Made with milk from Shinshu, seasonal vegetables and fruits from the Mt. Norikura region, and Hida black tea fermented using the geothermal heat from the Okuhida Hot Spring Village—each flavor is packed with the deliciousness of local ingredients. We also offer espresso and café lattes made with carefully selected specialty coffee beans. On a nice day, take a break on the terrace.

2:30 p.m. Hoshino Resorts KAI Okuhida

A lodging where you can fully enjoy the mountain hot springs while surrounded by modern Hida design

The Okuhida Hot Spring Village is nestled within the majestic Northern Alps. The hot springs originating from these mountains boast unique water qualities and some of Japan’s largest volumes of hot spring water, and have captivated travelers since ancient times.“Hoshino Resorts KAI Okuhida” is a mountain hot spring inn where guests can fully enjoy the renowned, abundantly flowing hot springs in bathing huts, private Outdoor hot springs in guest rooms, and foot baths. Designed to encourage exploration of the surrounding nature, it allows guests to relax to their heart’s content while savoring the refreshing mountain air.An experience awaits where you can stay in a modern, artistic space that showcases the craftsmanship of Hida woodworking and enjoy the region’s traditions and culture with all five senses.

The front desk symbolizes the concept of “an inn where you awaken to mountain hot springs and relax in Hida design.” The wall art above the counter depicts Hirayu Otaki—one of Hida’s Three Great Waterfalls—while the floor features Hida-produced oak wood on the floor represents the flow of a river, the ceiling evokes a forest of various trees, and the black sofas are inspired by rocks. Your premium stay begins as you take in the grandeur of Hida’s natural scenery.

Hida MOKU Room—Japanese-style room (capacity: 1 person)

“Hida MOKU no Ma,” a KAI Signature Room exclusively for solo travelers

This property features “single-occupancy rooms,” a first for the “Kai” brand. The first thing that catches your eye is the headboard, designed with motifs inspired by “mageki,” the traditional local wood-bending technique. Wood from the region’s representative broadleaf trees—beech, ash, cherry, and oak—creates a beautiful gradient.Traditional “Hida Shunkei” lacquerwork adorns the wall art and guest room signs, while Hida-zome dyeing is incorporated into the cushions, adding a chic touch of color to the space.When you sit in a bentwood chair made from Hida-sourced wood by the long-established furniture manufacturer “Hida Sangyo,” you’ll feel the warmth and comfort of natural wood, as well as the craftsmanship of the artisans.

The bed is a spacious double bed. A portable speaker is also provided so you can enjoy music and relax without a care in your own private space.

3:15 PM Travel library

Create Your Own Original Scent with the “Blended Oil Experience”

In the “Travel library,” a detached building facing the courtyard, guests can experience making their own blended essential oils.The base is an essential oil extracted from Hida wood by “Hida Sangyo,” a company dedicated to delivering the full bounty of the forest. You’ll blend in a few drops each of essential oils with woody or citrusy scents to create your own custom fragrance. Deciding which scents to combine is part of the fun.Take your original blend home with you, and every time you smell it, your travel memories will come flooding back.

4:10 p.m. Courtyard

“The ABCs of Hot Spring Culture”: Learn about hot springs while soaking in a foot bath

Within the grounds, there is a courtyard adorned with native trees, surrounded by four buildings: two guest room wings, a bathhouse, and a detached cottage.The Yunokawa River, shrouded in steam, flows gently by, with the active volcano Mount Akandana visible in the distance. Just as people once walked to the public bathhouses in this hot spring town to enjoy a soak, the property is designed so that guests can stroll through the courtyard during their stay and enjoy the mountain air.

At the footbath in the courtyard, fed directly from the spring, you can take a moment to gaze at the mountain and soothe your fatigue. Hoshino Resorts KAI Okuhida’s “Yumori” (hot spring attendants) will guide you through stories about the local mountains, the history of Hirayu Onsen, the quality of the spring water, and effective bathing methods during the “Hot Spring Culture Experience “Iroha,” where the “Yumori” (hot spring caretakers) of Kai Okuhida will introduce everything from tales of the local mountains to the history of Hirayu Onsen, the quality of its waters, and effective bathing methods.You can also Experience “Iroha” here.

Hot spring Culture To wrap up the “ABCs of Hot Spring” experience, there’s also a mini-tour that takes you to the footbath park near the inn and a souvenir shop where you can sample hot-spring eggs. The tour takes about 30 minutes. No reservation is required, and participation is free.

5:00 PM KAI Cultural Discovery

Experience Traditional Craftsmanship Through the “Hida Master Craftsman Experience”

“KAI Cultural Discovery” refers to hospitality programs that allow guests to fully immerse themselves in the region’s charms, such as traditional crafts, performing arts, and cuisine. At Hoshino Resorts KAI Okuhida, you can experience “mageki” (bent wood), one of the techniques of the “Hida Masters” with a history spanning over 1,300 years. You’ll bend wood that’s been warmed and softened with your own hands to create a “bent-wood bag handle” that fits perfectly with Kai’s original furoshiki wrapping cloth.

17:30 Dinner

Savor the famous Hida Beef prepared two different ways: “Hida Beef Genbu-yaki KAI Local Flavors”

Meals are served in semi-private Dining Areas that offer a sense of privacy, making it a comfortable experience even when dining alone.For dinner, we present the “Hida Beef Genbu-yaki KAI Local Flavors,” a meal that showcases the local culinary culture. Hida Beef, known for its fine marbling, is prepared using two distinct methods: lava-grilling and Hida’s signature hoba-yaki (grilling on magnolia leaves).Listen to the sizzle of the meat on the piping-hot lava plate, inhale the rich aroma of the magnolia leaves, and savor the toasty fragrance of miso that brings out the meat’s delicate umami. The essence of the mountains will permeate your body.

We also recommend the alcoholic or non-alcoholic pairing, where drinks that encapsulate the terroir of Hida are served to complement each dish. Savor a drink that harmonizes with the cuisine from tableware crafted by local artists, and you’ll find yourself fully immersed in the charm of Okuhida.

19:30 Public hot spring

Rejuvenate Body and Mind in the Outdoor Hot Spring and Indoor Baths, Inspired by a Snow Corridor

With your handmade furoshiki bag in hand, take a stroll outside on your way to the bathhouse. Surrounded by rounded white walls and featuring a design with a large opening in the ceiling, the Outdoor hot spring is inspired by the “snow corridors” found in Okuhida’s heavy snowfall regions.By intentionally blocking the outside view, the design allows you to fully immerse yourself in the mountain hot spring experience.

The indoor bath area features two tubs: a “hot bath” fed directly from the spring and a “warm bath” for relaxation. The spring water is a sodium-calcium bicarbonate-chloride spring, rich in metasilicic acid and metaboric acid, giving it a smooth texture on the skin.Alternating between the two baths will warm you to the core.

In the Yuagari lounge, bentwood chairs from Hida Sangyo are casually placed. Take a breather with a post-bath drink or popsicle in hand. Lie down on the raised tatami platform to take in the mountain views and feel refreshed. You’ll even look forward to your morning bath.

Day 2

7:00 a.m. Travel library

Enjoy a refreshing morning while gazing at the sunrise rising over the mountains

When you wake up the next morning, head to the “Travel library,” where you can experience KAI Cultural Discovery. This space features books on Hida’s history, culture, nature, and crafts, and you’re free to enjoy coffee or tea at your leisure.On sunny days, the windows facing the courtyard are thrown open, allowing you to spend a luxurious moment watching the morning sun rise over the mountains.

In the courtyard, “Modern Hot Spring Exercise” are held every morning. Inspired by Hida’s reputation as a leading timber-producing region, these rhythmic exercises incorporate the movements of lumberjacks felling trees. In the refreshing air, you can take deep breaths and gently stretch your body.

08:00 Breakfast

Dried vegetables and magnolia-leaf steamed dishes: Experience Hida’s culinary culture through a traditional Japanese breakfast

It’s a time to savor a breakfast brimming with local flavor and awaken your body from the inside out.The Japanese-style breakfast features an abundance of mountain ingredients unique to Hida. A particular highlight is the hearty miso soup with dried vegetables and pork, served in an iron pot. Dried vegetables such as daikon radish, carrots, and eggplant—produced locally as preserved foods—have their umami concentrated by drying in the cold wind, resulting in a unique texture and a rich, deep flavor. In addition, you can fully savor the rich flavors of Hida through dishes such as homemade tofu, beef shigire, and millet steamed in magnolia leaves—allowing you to fully savor the rich flavors that embody the essence of Hida.

10:00 Shop

Take home simple wooden crafts and famous confections from long-established shops as souvenirs

The small shop next to the Front desk offers a selection of handcrafted items, including traditional crafts from Hida Takayama, woodwork by local artisans, tableware, and accessories. The miso rice crackers from a long-established shop—which are also served as in-room snacks—are sold in original “Hoshino Resorts KAI Okuhida” packaging and are a popular souvenir.

10:30 Departure from Hoshino Resorts KAI Okuhida

12:00 Shin-Hotaka Ropeway

Ride Japan’s only two-story gondola to a world above the clouds

Take the No. 1 Ropeway from Shin-Hotaka Hot Spring Station to Nabehira Kogen Station. From Shirakaba-daira Station—about a 3-minute walk away—transfer to the No. 2 Ropeway, which operates Japan’s only double-decker gondola, heading toward the summit’s Nishi-Hotaka-guchi Station at the summit. The gondola is entirely glass-enclosed, allowing you to experience the mountains of the Northern Alps as if they were right before your eyes.

On the rooftop of Nishi-Hotaka-guchi Station, there is a spacious observation deck offering a 360-degree panoramic view.The majestic view of the Hotaka Mountain Range from an elevation of 2,156 meters is so breathtaking it will leave you speechless. Whether you take a stroll through the adjacent “Summit Forest” or relax on the wooden deck or rest terraces surrounded by virgin forest, this is a spot where you can spend time embraced by the great outdoors.

12:30 CAFE GOKAN

Enjoy local specialties at a café surrounded by locally sourced wood

Lunch time at the café on the second floor of Nishi-Hotaka-guchi Station. You’ll find the wood-themed interior—featuring timber harvested from the summit area, such as cedar, Japanese walnut, mountain birch, and fir, as well as locally sourced wood from the prefecture—truly soothing. The window seats, offering a picture-perfect view of the Alps, are also popular.A food recommendation is the “Hida Beef Cutlet Sandwich,” featuring a juicy Hida beef cutlet sandwiched between crispy bread.Don’t miss the Instagram-worthy menu items, such as the “Sea of Clouds Cocoa”—featuring fluffy whipped cream designed to resemble a sea of clouds—and rice-flour churros shaped like the character for “summit” (Summit).

3:30 p.m. Machiya Cafe Fukutaro

Round out your trip with Takayama’s famous unsweetened “Midarashi Dango”

Once you’re back in Takayama, be sure to stop by this café—housed in a Meiji-era townhouse—before heading home. The owner uses Koshihikari rice grown at “Fukutaro Farm” in the suburbs to make rice flour for “ Midarashi dango.” Since they don’t contain glutinous rice, they have a crisp bite and a light texture. They’re grilled until fragrant in a soy sauce-based glaze without sugar or mirin, and this lack of sweetness is a characteristic of Takayama’s mitarashi dango. Whether you enjoy them fresh off the grill on an outdoor bench or in the quiet interior, their simple, rustic flavor will soothe your soul.Another popular treat is the “Aburae Goheimochi,” made by mashing the shop’s homegrown rice, grilling it, and serving it with a sauce made from ground aburae (perilla) seeds.