A Castle Town Surrounded By Majestic Mountains

Takayama City, located in Gifu Prefecture, is surrounded by the towering peaks of Mt. Norikura to the east, Mt. Ontake to the south, Mt. Hakusan to the west, and Mt. Tateyama to the north. Once a small mountain village, Takayama blossomed into a bustling castle town by the 17th century, with a strong focus on commerce and economy. The city's Traditional Buildings Preservation District was modeled after Kyoto and still maintains its historical charm, offering a glimpse of Hida Takayama’s storied past.

This townscape reflects the wisdom and aesthetics of those who live in harmony with the mountains. Local crafts like Hida’s intricate wooden architecture and Shibukusayaki ceramics are still passed down and part of everyday life.

A Stay with a Sense of Place

Experience Hida’s Lifestyle at TANIYA, a Townhouse Crafted With Care

TANIYA offers an immersive experience of Hida Takayama’s culture and aesthetic, making you feel as though you are living within it. Set in the Traditional Buildings Preservation District, this one-group-per-day villa was once part of the Kusakabe Folk Crafts Museum, an Important Cultural Property. Renovated with care, it brings together Hida’s traditions and modern design in a quiet, thoughtful space.

At TANIYA, hostess Nobuko Kusakabe will greet you with tea and share the stories behind each piece of sculptural furniture, offering a warm, personal experience as if you were visiting an old friend.

“The people of Hida Takayama have maintained a simple yet beautiful way of life, supporting one another in the face of nature’s challenges. I’d like our guests to experience a part of that spirit. Through their stay at TANIYA, I hope to offer moments that enrich their daily lives and provide fresh insights. That’s the heart of what I wish to share with every guest,” says Nobuko.

Where the Warmth of Traditional Townhouse Architecture Meets Modern Design

TANIYA, a townhouse built during the Meiji period (1868-1912), is more than a century old. It has been thoughtfully renovated to preserve the charm of traditional townhouse architecture while incorporating the refined sensibilities of contemporary craftsmen and furniture makers.

Taniya is a private inn, available for just one group per day. The first floor exudes the warm aroma of Hida wood, with spaces like a tea room, an open-ceiling doma dining room, and a cypress bath, all centered around a courtyard bathed in natural light. The second floor features two bedrooms with distinct styles, complemented by works from contemporary artists, including original furniture by Takayama’s SUNGTAE. Every room combines traditional and modern beauty, offering the feeling of staying in an art gallery.

Moments at the Table

A Taste of Hida’s Seasonal Cuisine (Additional Option)

Breakfast and dinner can be arranged upon request. Surrounded by Hida’s mountainous landscape, the region’s cuisine draws on seasonal ingredients nurtured by its natural environment and the soft, mellow water rich in minerals unique to this land. At TANIYA, meals are arranged with trusted local partners, carefully selected to highlight the natural flavors of each ingredient while reflecting the gifts of the season.

Each dish, enjoyed while sensing the climate, landscape, and changing seasons of Hida, adds depth to your journey and leaves a lasting impression. Savor moments of indulgence, accompanied by flavors found only in this place.

Deepen Your Connection to the Region

A Deeper Encounter with Hida Takayama (Additional Option)

On Day 2, you may choose one of two optional experiences that reflect the culture of Hida Takayama. One option is a ceramic painting experience featuring Shibukusayaki, a traditional craft of the region. The other is a visit to a traditional home, offering a glimpse into the daily life of local residents in a mountain village.

For the Shibukusayaki experience, you will visit Houkokusha, a pottery studio with a long and distinguished history, and take part in the ceramic painting process. Shibukusayaki originated in 1841, when a local administrative official sought to establish a new pottery industry using Hida Takayama’s high-quality clay.

During the experience, you will receive direct guidance from painting craftsman Kojiro Matsuyama and learn overglaze painting techniques using gosu. With an emphasis on freedom of expression rather than perfection, you are encouraged to paint intuitively and let your vision flow naturally. Once completed, your piece will be carefully finished by firing it in a kiln.

The other option is a visit to the home of Mr. Tsukamoto and his wife, who live in a mountain village in the Furukawa area of Hida City. About an hour from TANIYA, their home sits in a quiet settlement framed by mountains, where daily life remains closely tied to the surrounding natural environment. Mr. Tsukamoto moved to this area around 50 years ago and has since devoted himself to growing seasonal crops, working in the fields, beekeeping, and making use of nature’s gifts through traditional handwork.

By harvesting vegetables from the fields and sharing a meal around the hearth, you will hear stories of mountain village life and local culture, gaining a firsthand sense of what it means to live in harmony with nature.

*This experience is generally unavailable during the winter season (approximately November to March).

Mr. Tsukamoto’s traditional mountain home, crafted from wood, retains the warmth of the land

Whether through engaging with traditional craftsmanship or learning about the land through everyday life, each experience offers a meaningful encounter with the culture and spirit of Hida Takayama.

*If you wish to add either of these optional experiences, a two-night stay at TANIYA is required, with the experience taking place on Day 2.
*It is also possible to participate in one experience on Day 2 and enjoy the other on Day 3.

Discover the Heart of Hida Takayama's Culture at the Kusakabe Folk Crafts Museum

During your stay, you’ll have the opportunity to visit the Kusakabe Folk Crafts Museum, a special place where the essence of Hida Takayama’s culture comes to life. Masaru Kusakabe, the 13th head of the Kusakabe family and the museum’s director, will personally guide you through the museum. He’ll provide detailed insights into the townhouse architecture, designated as an Important Cultural Property, and the historical significance of its artifacts. Take your time to immerse yourself in the history and legacy of the Kusakabe family, which traces back to the Edo period (1603-1867), and explore the deep-rooted culture and spirituality of this land.

One of the most striking features of the museum is the earthen floor space, which extends up to the third floor. The dynamic structure, supported by heavy beams and tsukabashira (pillars), was carefully reconstructed by master carpenter Jisuke Kawajiri as “show architecture,” preserving the original design after the building was destroyed in the Takayama fire of 1875. This technique, which uses minimal nails, is also seen in the gassho-style houses of Shirakawa-go, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and exemplifies the essence of Hida’s architectural tradition.

More than 300 items are on display at any given time, including Shibukusayaki pottery, ceramics, lacquerware, and household items used during the 1800s and early 1900s. "While these objects may seem modest or inconvenient by today’s standards, each one reflects a life lived within its means,” says Masaru and Nobuko. “We aim to preserve and convey the spirit of that time.”

In the evening, you can relax in the adjacent Kusakabe Folk Crafts Museum, an Important Cultural Property, as your private lounge. In this intimate setting, enjoy a chat over drinks with Masaru Kusakabe. It’s a rare opportunity to hear firsthand the history of Hida, a place deeply connected to its mountains, and the spirit of the Hida people, who have long respected nature.

A Three-Day Exploration of Hida Takayama, Where Nature and Tradition Meet

This special three-day experience offers a deeper understanding of Hida Takayama, a place closely associated with the Kusakabe family for over three centuries. While staying in a beautifully preserved townhouse, you will engage with both the refined techniques of traditional craftsmanship through hands-on ceramic painting and the modest, nature-based way of life of mountain residents.

Across these experiences, a shared sensibility emerges—an appreciation for the region’s beauty and the thoughtful way people interact with nature, materials, and their surroundings. With each moment, this connection becomes clearer and more personal. TANIYA’s attentive hospitality ensures that your time here is both meaningful and unforgettable.