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There are outdoor hot spring baths with mountain views — and then there is Yarimikan. This inn in Shinhotaka Onsen, deep in the Okuhida mountains of Gifu Prefecture, takes its name directly from the peak visible from its signature bath: Mt. Yari-ga-take, the sharp-pointed summit often called the “Matterhorn of Japan.” Soaking in an open-air bath with that mountain framed against the sky is the kind of experience that’s hard to find anywhere else.
Why Yarimikan stands out:
- An open-air mixed bath with a direct view of Mt. Yari-ga-take (3,180m)
- Four private baths — all different, all available any time at no extra charge
- Dinner served at an irori open hearth, featuring Hida wagyu sukiyaki and river fish
A member of the Nihon Hitou wo Mamoru Kai (Japan Secret Hot Springs Association), Yarimikan combines genuine remoteness with a level of comfort and cuisine that feels well above its surroundings. (This review is based on a February 2019 stay.)
Shinhotaka Onsen “Yarimikan”
| Address | 587 Kanzaka, Okuhida Onsen-go, Takayama, Gifu |
|---|---|
| Phone | 0578-89-2808 |
| Official Website | yarimikan.com |
| Day-use Bathing | Adult ¥800 / Child ¥500 10:00–13:30 (last entry) |
| Check-in / Check-out | 15:00–17:00 / 9:00–11:00 |
| Credit Cards | Accepted (VISA, Mastercard) |
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Getting There
Shinhotaka Onsen sits at the end of the road into the Okuhida mountains, in one of Japan’s most dramatic alpine regions. The nearest major hub is Takayama — a beautifully preserved Edo-period town worth a stop in itself.
🚄 From Tokyo or Nagoya
From Tokyo: Tokaido Shinkansen to Nagoya (~1.5 hrs), then the Hida limited express to Takayama (~2 hrs). From Nagoya: the Hida limited express runs directly to Takayama (~2.5 hrs). From Takayama, a bus or taxi to Shinhotaka Onsen takes around 1.5 hours — or rent a car for more flexibility.
🚗 By car
From Takayama, head north on Route 471 toward Okuhida Onsen-go, continuing to the end of the valley. The inn sits along the Kamata River. In winter, studded tyres or snow chains are strongly recommended on this route.
🚡 Nearby: Shinhotaka Ropeway
About 5 minutes from the inn by car, the
Shinhotaka Ropewaycarries visitors up to 2,156m — the only two-stage gondola in Japan. In February, the surrounding peaks are blanketed in snow. Mt. Yari-ga-take is visible from the top observation deck even closer than from the inn baths — well worth an hour before or after your stay.
The Inn — Stylish, Remote, Unhurried
The inn sits along the Kamata River, blending into the surrounding forest so naturally that the building seems to grow out of the landscape. Inside, the atmosphere shifts — polished wood, warm lighting, and the smell of mountain air. Despite being a remote, secret hot spring inn, it carries a quiet sophistication.
| Toilet | Private (en suite) |
|---|---|
| Refrigerator | Available |
| Air Conditioning / Heating | Available |
| Wi-Fi | Available |
| TV | Available |
| Towels & Yukata | Provided |
The room I stayed in was the wafuu modern (Japanese modern) style — contemporary in design while keeping the warmth of traditional materials. The window seat looks directly out over the river and treeline. In winter, a kotatsu (a low heated table with a blanket — one of the great simple pleasures of Japanese winter life) is set up in an adjoining alcove. A genuinely cozy base.
The Hot Springs — Seven Baths, All Different
The range of baths here is exceptional: two mixed outdoor baths, one women’s-only outdoor bath, four private baths, and a communal indoor bath. All use the same source-fed spring water, but the setting, temperature, and atmosphere of each one is distinct. You could easily spend your entire stay moving between them.
| Spring Name | Yarimi-no-yu |
|---|---|
| Water Type | Simple Thermal Spring (neutral, low-salinity) |
| Source Temperature | 45°C / 113°F |
| pH | 6.6 (near neutral) |
| Color / Scent | Clear, colorless — odorless and tasteless |
① “Yarimi-no-yu” — The Signature Mixed Outdoor Bath ★
This is why the inn exists. A completely open outdoor bath — no enclosing fence, no roof — with the full panorama of the Northern Alps spread out in front of you. On a clear day, the distinctive pointed peak of Mt. Yari-ga-take is visible on the horizon, its sharp silhouette unmistakable against the sky. In February, everything around the bath is deep snow.
The water runs hot — around 42–43°C — so short, repeated soaks work better than a long stay. The payoff is worth it.
♨ About mixed bathing (konyoku)
Mixed bathing is traditional at many Japanese mountain hot springs. At Yarimikan, a yuami-gi (bathing garment) is available for women, making the experience accessible for those new to mixed bathing. The bath is also designated women-only from
7:00–9:00
each morning, so there’s no pressure to share if you’d prefer privacy.
② “Manten-no-yu” — Rock-Enclosed, Slightly Cooler
③ Four Private Baths — Each One Different
Left: Hotaru-no-yu — a quiet indoor private bath for a calm, unhurried soak. Right: Keiryu-no-yu — the riverside private bath, with the most dramatic open-air setting of the four.
Four private baths are available to all guests at any time, no reservation or extra charge needed. Each has its own character: Hotaru-no-yu (indoor, calm and enclosed) is ideal for late-night soaks. Keiryu-no-yu sits right beside the river — the most dramatic open-air setting of the four. Haryu-no-yu is semi-enclosed and slightly wider, good for stretching out. Mori-no-yu is the quietest, tucked among trees with a gentle, contemplative atmosphere.
④ Indoor Communal Bath — Mt. Yari from Inside
The indoor communal bath (men’s and women’s separate) has two tubs at slightly different temperatures — around 40–41°C in the main tub. The window faces directly toward Mt. Yari, giving you a framed mountain view even from inside. A good option for early mornings or when the outdoor baths are occupied.
Dinner & Breakfast — Mountain Cuisine at the Hearth
Dinner is served at an irori — a traditional Japanese sunken charcoal hearth, one of the most characterful ways to eat in a mountain inn. Dishes arrive one at a time, each one prepared with obvious care.
Highlights of the dinner include iwana (Japanese char, a prized freshwater fish) grilled right at the irori and served immediately — the freshness is immediately apparent — and Hida wagyu sukiyaki, a regional wagyu beef from the Hida mountains of Gifu, slow-cooked in a sweet soy broth. The combination of open-fire cooking and premium local ingredients is hard to beat.
🥩 What is Hida Wagyu?
Hida beef (飛騨牛) is a highly regarded wagyu variety raised in the mountains of Gifu Prefecture. Fed on local grains and mountain water, it’s known for its fine marbling and clean, rich flavor — among Japan’s top regional wagyu, alongside Kobe and Matsusaka.
Breakfast is lighter — grilled salmon, onsen tamago (hot spring egg), hoba miso (fermented soybean paste grilled on a magnolia leaf — a Hida regional specialty), and Gifu rice. And then, after the meal, something unexpected: a mochi-pounding demonstration by inn staff. Fresh-made mochi dusted in kinako (roasted soybean flour) is served as a post-breakfast treat — soft and warm in a way that packaged mochi simply isn’t.
Final Thoughts
Yarimikan stays with you. The combination of an extraordinary mountain setting, a genuinely varied and well-maintained set of hot spring baths, and food prepared with real local character makes for a stay that’s hard to replicate elsewhere. The Yarimi-no-yu bath — open to the mountains, hot and invigorating — is one of the best single onsen experiences I’ve had in Japan.
This inn is a great fit if you:
- Want an outdoor hot spring bath with a truly dramatic mountain backdrop
- Are combining a stay with hiking, skiing, or the Shinhotaka Ropeway
- Want a range of private baths alongside the communal options
- Are interested in regional Japanese cuisine and open-hearth cooking
Go in winter if you can — the snow-covered peaks, the steaming open-air bath, and the irori glow in the evening make for an atmosphere that’s genuinely hard to find anywhere else in the world.
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