I'm really surprised by the negative reviews for this ryokan. This was the nicest place I stayed in my trip to Japan. The room was spacious and light, the bathroom was fine, the staff were all friendly and helpful and the free internet in reception was a bonus (especially as there was a general election in the UK when I was there and I was trying to follow the results!). I had a traditional meal there one night, which was simply amazing. I am usually really picky about food, and I don't eat fish, so I was worried about what I might be given. Stupid me. I ate the most delicious beef I have ever tasted - if you'd said to me before I went that I would eat raw beef, I would have laughed, but I did, it was that good. The rest of the meal was great too, and it was fun (if slightly nerve-wracking) to have a lady watching what I was doing to make sure I didn't eat the wrong thing at the wrong time or use the wrong sauce! And did I mention the onsen? This was probably the least atmospheric of the three I used in Japan, but was clean and large and it was wonderful to get in it after the huge meal (well, not immediately after it!). Takayama itself was a really atmospheric place, very photogenic and great restaurants. I highly recommend both the ryokan and the town.

Conviently located near Takayama Station and the center of the city.
(Withing walking distance from many of Takayama's charming sights.)
Homey atmosphere.
Deliscious meals are both beautiful and filling.
I'd definitely stay there again.

We had a very enjoyable 2 nights stay at Ryokan Asunaro. The directions from the station given to us were very easy to follow. We were greeted warmly by the owner upon arrival. The ryokan was very busy but this did not affect the service. We enjoyed our evening meal immensely, though we struggled sitting cross-legged for the meal - just an age thing! When we made our booking we decided on a Japanese style breakfast one morning and a Western one the next. Unfortuntely our Western breakfast never materialised and we had to have another Japanese one. This wasn't really a problem but as interesting as eating rice, pickles and miso soup etc.was the first time, we would have preferred Western for the second. The owners were really nice and friendly and the ladies that served us our meals were delightful. We had a room with a bathroom and toilet but still had the traditional bedding on the tatami mats. We were in time for the last afternoon of the town's Spring festival which was very interesting to watch. The town itself was great to wander round - the cherry blossoms and lots of small shops with souvenirsand gifts. We actually had snow on our first morning there - not enough to stay long on the ground, unfortunately it developed into rain for the day, but we enjoyed the experience of Takayama and the ryokan.

bad part of the city, which is disappointing enough - all the fabulous pics i saw before appeared to be from a street and a half, also the ryokan itself produces beautiful pictures which fools you about the surrounding and shows beautiful entrance to sort of industrial building from metal and concrete elements located between two huge bus parkings. But it seems it is customary for Japan, so local clients probably would not complain - but for sure it destroyed my wa. Something not kosher with the ventilation, which seems to be pretty old.