Hida Furukawa Yatsusankan

Hida Furukawa Yatsusankan had a humble beginning as a simple inn. It was opened by Sangoro from Ecchu Yatsuo towards the end of the Edo Period (1603 - 1868). Sangoro named the inn "Yatsusan" as a tribute to his hometown Yatsuo and also included a part of his name in it. Over the years, the inn passed on to the following generations, each adding to its heritage. For instance, the fourth generation of owners used the telephone for the first time, even before it was used in the town hall. You can see it at the ryokan with a "Telephone No. 1" sign. When the inn was owned by the fifth generation, it also served as a recruiting center for working girls in the city.

The ryokan has existed for over 160 years, so it's natural that it has undergone many renovations, the most recent being in 2022. However, even as it's operating under the eighth generation of owners, it highlights rational features. It's also registered as a Tangible Cultural Property!

Design and Architecture

The unique part about this traditional ryokan is that its decor changes each month while staying true to its roots. You'll be surrounded by dolls, antiques, and other items, making you feel like you're in a museum. The architecture retains original details from the Edo Period. You'll feel like you're in a stunning maze as you enter the property. All three towers offer something different— Shougetsu gives out a palatial vibe, Kangetsu offers a lovely Japanese color theme, and Kougetsu features luxurious details. Wooden furnishings and tatami mat rooms abound on the property. You'll also find beautifully maintained gardens.

Hida Furukawa Yatsusankan offers a grand gastronomic experience under Executive Chef Akita. You can taste the freshest seasonal products of the region served in a visually appealing manner. Vegetables are locally sourced, either from farmers or from the property's own farm. The city's famous Hida beef is also procured locally from Hurusato butcher shop. Dishes for each season are selected based on the availability of fresh products. For example, spring is the best time to enjoy wild vegetables, while winter highlights the cold yellowtail from Himi Bay. Fresh river fish is also available, such as ayu fish, iwana, or rockfish, and yamame. If you visit in autumn, you can try mountain products such as mushrooms, tiger blowfish, or pufferfish.

Private dining rooms

The ryokan boasts private dining rooms, such as Kangetsu, which is ideal for an intimate meal with your loved ones. Relish kaiseki (multi-course) meals or enjoy a tea ceremony in one of the tea rooms.

Sowa-ryu Honzen

This type of meal is influenced by the Sowa-ryu Tea Ceremony. It's based on the coveted "honzen ryori" cooking style, dating back to the Muromachi Period. There are multiple courses, including rice, soup, tea, desserts, and more, all accompanied by a cup of sake. You'll also enjoy mountain and Toyama seafood dishes. The meals are served in century-old footed tableware.

Breakfast

The ryokan serves Hida Zai Go cuisine for breakfast. Relish freshly cooked rice, hoba-miso (bean paste), Giseyaki (tofu and egg omelet), and other delicacies.

Cafe 24

If you're in the mood for a dessert, visit Cafe 24, a cheese confectionery specialty store adjacent to the ryokan. The cafe opened in 2022 and offers delicious cheese cookies, cheese terine, cheese butter sandwiches, and more. You can also enjoy traditional Japanese lunches from Hida Furukawa Yatsusankan's kitchen during lunchtime.

Opening hours: Friday - Tuesday: 10 am - 5 pm (closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays)

Cultural and Outdoor Experiences

Guests can enjoy a variety of cultural experiences during their stay at Hida Furukawa Yatsusankan. If you're into cooking, try the Hoba-miso-making experience that usually happens during breakfast. You'll get to make miso from scratch and even take it home. You can also learn how to make Taiyaki/monaka/gohei-mochi, a type of Japanese sweet. The ryokan offers a sake-tasting experience as well, where you can sample five great quality sakes from the city's breweries.

For art and craft lovers, the property lets you decorate mokurins (small wooden vases) and take them home. Other craft experiences include the dragonfly bead-making experience and the Kumihimo (braiding of cords/threads) experience. You can also opt for the Teori Yui Workshop to learn natural dyeing and weaving processes or visit Inaka Craft Centre for a washi papermaking experience.

Rent a kimono and hop on a rickshaw to experience Hida uniquely. Heritage walking tours with a guide are also available. Outdoor lovers will appreciate the Rail Mountain Bike Gattan Go experience, where you get to ride a mountain bike on a railway track!

If you simply want to relax, head to the public hot spring bath Seseragi no Yu or book a slot at the private bath Oshidori no Yu for a therapeutic session. The former is a covered outdoor bath with a view of lush greenery, while the latter offers indoor baths. The water for the onsens is directly sourced from Nagareha Hot Springs. You can also stop by the Relief Room, Tsukihime, for a pampering session.

Other Celebrations

The ryokan has multiple private dining rooms and tearooms, so it should be possible to host intimate private events there, such as anniversaries or birthdays. However, it's best to contact the management for confirmation and further details.