While I was in Takayama, I stayed at Tsuyukusa, an inn located in Hirayu Onsen, the gateway to Okuhida Onsenkyo, Gifu Prefecture. This lodging was somewhere I would sincerely like to return to and highly recommend to visitors of the Okuhida area.
Tsuyukusa was full of charm, and I strongly believe that this hotel is ideal not only for Okuhida Onsenkyo, but also as a base for mountain climbing and cycling in Kamikochi, Norikura-dake, and the Hotaka mountain range.
Access: Easy access by bus! Ideal for mountain climbing and sightseeing.
Tsuyuukusa-so is a 3-minute walk from Hirayu Bus Terminal.
It has excellent access to Takayama, Shin Hotaka, and Kamikochi areas, so you don’t even need a car to get there. This time we visited by highway bus from Shinjuku and arrived smoothly with only a few transfers.
Smart check-in! The comfort of a non-contact, self-service system
This inn is almost entirely self-service.
If you make a reservation & payment online in advance, you will receive a PIN number for the entrance by e-mail before your stay. You can also check-in and check-out at your own timing.
The best part is that you can stay without much contact with people and without worrying about them.
Introduction to the hotel: All hot springs, guest rooms, and common facilities are clean and comfortable
Hot springs (indoor and outdoor baths) available for private use
There are two indoor baths and one outdoor bath, all of which are luxurious enough to be rented out privately! The baths were well cleaned and even the edges of the bathtub were sparkling.
The open-air baths offer an exquisite experience of soaking in hot water while enjoying the view of the Northern Alps.
The stained-glass windows are an impressive feature of the interior décor
Colorful stained glass windows are placed here and there throughout the accommodation, adding beautiful accents to the Japanese-style space. Everywhere you turn looks photogenic!
Rooms are pure Japanese style with tatami mats and a cool air conditioner
The Japanese-style room where we stayed was a very relaxing space with tatami mats. It was cool in the summer and I could sleep comfortably even without air conditioning. The rooms are fully equipped with air conditioners, refrigerators, air purifiers, televisions, and other amenities.
Clean common space (washrooms and toilets)
Washrooms and toilets are shared, but are very bright and clean.
Separate trash cans are also provided next to the washbasin for your comfort even during long stays.
Meals: Free bread and coffee in the morning! No need to worry about evening meals
The inn is based on overnight stays with no meal, but free bread and coffee are provided in the morning. The refrigerator is lined with a wide variety of breads, and you are free to choose whatever you like. The restaurant is also equipped with vending machines for cup noodles and curry. This is a safe place to have a nighttime meal or when you are hungry.
Amenities: minimal but necessary and sufficient
Yukata, bath towels, hand towels, and toothbrush sets are provided, making it easy to stay light.
Price and clientele: Popular with foreigners and reasonably priced
The inn is also very reasonably priced and offers excellent value for money.
It is also popular not only among Japanese but also among foreign tourists visiting Japan, and its English-language signage and self-service system are designed to be easy for foreigners to understand.
It is also ideal for inbound tourism to Okuhida and Kamikochi.
Summary of impressions after staying at the hotel
- Comfortable with a style that doesn’t care about others.
- Hot springs are the real deal. Excellent cleanliness.
- Cool in summer, ideal for long stays
- Recommended for couples and married couples as well as single travelers.
- Ideal base for sightseeing in Kamikochi, Norikura, and Shin Hotaka
- Design and systems designed with foreign tourists in mind
- Rates are reasonable and easy on the wallet.
In conclusion
Tsuyuukusa-so was a perfect description of a “free-use and easygoing” base in a hot spring resort.
It has a perfect balance of necessities while eliminating unnecessary services. It was definitely the kind of lodging that I would like to visit again.
Author: Hidetomo Takahashi｜Chief Tour Conductor / Domestic Travel Service Supervisor
