We tried to book the Finnish sauna for our previous trip last December 2024. But it got cancelled due to maintenance activity. For this trip in October 2025, I started to contact them in April 2025.
Location:
Hirayu no Mori (hotel & hot spring) ひらゆの森
763-1 Okuhida Onsengo Hirayu, Takayama, Gifu 506-1433, Japan
Arrival: You need to leave your shoes at the entrance and wear socks within the hotel premises.
Check-in: If you arrive early prior to the check-in time, you can stay in the cafe and enjoy snacks from the souvenir shop.
Security: The keys used are the old version. The public areas like rest places and public restaurants are separated from the hotel guest areas.
The counter will share to you a map, showing you to navigate a long winding alley to your room. Some of the videos online are with dim passage ways, but good enough for my eyesight, the place is well lit.
Room: We are only backpackers when we check-in so we were able to manage our stuff. Otherwise, for those with luggage, it's a little bit difficult to carry them. There are only stairs if you are assigned to the 2nd floor (no elevator).
The Western-style twin room we got has a wide-area. There is a toilet, sink, but no shower area. The television did not work. We were able to sleep early then.
What I appreciate is the good view from the room.
Private Onsen: The traditional yukata are only available for guests. There is also a vending machine in case you want to rent towels.
To be honest, we cannot still try public onsen. Thus, we really try to find private onsen rooms. Upon check-in, we headed to the private onsen, so were the first ones to queue-in. Experiencing dipping on hot water, while it was freezing outside is such a very authentic and nice experience. And I'm loving it.
Food: Afterwards, we rested and prepared for dinner. They will open the door of the restaurant by the said schedule, 6:00pm.
Our package includes Japanese style dinner with premium Hida beef loin. The table and food is already prepared. And guests can add rice, etc from the buffet table.
Souvenir Shop: Before we went back to our rooms, we roamed around the shop. There's also a snack bar where we bought pastries and coffee for our breakfast.
Rest Area: The next day, after check-out we stayed in the rest area while we waited for our sauna schedule. There's a vending machine for different drinks. And of course, I played with the coin massager.
Forest barrel sauna: We were guided on how to reach the barrel sauna. We passed by a deep forest, until we reached the door to enter the sauna.
Watch here about this amenity:
Barrel saunas are barrel-shaped saunas that have long been loved in Finland, the birthplace of saunas.
The cylindrical structure allows the temperature to easily circulate throughout the sauna, and the aroma of wood fills the air.
There's a small room with baskets to place your things. Then go to the next door for the sauna. You can control the temperature by using the loyly. It is the ladle water onto the hot stones to create the steam, increasing heat and humidity. I loved the burst sound it creates, but always be careful. Monitor your time while inside the sauna.
The cylindrical structure allows the temperature to easily spread throughout the sauna, and the scent of the wood fills the air.
Then refresh, by going out and doing a forest bath. Take a dip in the cold bath. The beautiful bathtub is made out of cypress, with the cold water from the Northern Alps.
Know more about the place like sauna fee, usage time, benefits, how to use, how to reserve from their website.
Warning: If you are not familiar with saunas, please be aware of how to keep yourself safe. Read: Tokyo couple die in sauna fire after being trapped inside
Cons: The main building is old. You can hear the noise, big steps, creaking wood, from those walking outside.
I understand that this is an onsen place, but I'm disappointed that there is no shower included in the room.
Recommendation: Please understand that this is an old place. I'm a bit afraid that the private open/indoor onsen may come eerie, but not. I was able to enjoy my stay alone in the private onsen. We did not bother to visit the other public outdoor onsen.
Apart from that, I enjoyed the private barrel sauna with an outdoor ice cold bath.
After our check-out and forest barrel sauna, we headed to the Hirayu bus terminal. Please take note that this terminal have restaurant and coin locker. Had our lunch and went back to Takayama bus station.
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