Yōrō(Japan) Travel 2026: Cheap Flights, Hotels & Top Attractions

In Oyama Town, recommend staying at Oyama Onsen Minshuku, a traditional Japanese inn nestled by the Oyama River. It offers private hot springs, tatami-mat rooms, and authentic local breakfasts featuring Hida beef and mountain vegetables. Nearby attractions include Oyama Shrine and the Old House Museum, perfect for family cultural exploration.

Another great option is Hida no Sato Resort, a cluster of wooden villas with kitchens and fireplaces, ideal for long stays. The resort hosts hands-on workshops in wood carving and washi paper-making, allowing families to immerse in Hida region craftsmanship. Many guesthouses offer free shuttle buses to nearby sites, enhancing convenience.

The best area for accommodation in Oyama Town is the onsen district along the Oyama River, where most ryokan and minshuku are concentrated. This area offers easy access to Oyama Shrine and the Old House Exhibition Hall, with peaceful evening views of lantern-lit riversides. Located just 15 minutes from Hida City Station, it balances natural serenity with convenient transit. Some inns provide free shuttle services to major attractions, making it ideal for travelers seeking both tranquility and accessibility.

Must-try cultural experiences in Oyama Town include Hida carpentry workshops at the Old House Museum, where visitors can craft small wood carvings or assemble wooden lanterns. The annual Oyama Festival features traditional taiko drum performances and flower hat dances, alongside a craft market selling local pottery, washi paper, and straw goods. During winter, enjoy snow bathing tours, soaking in open-air baths surrounded by snowscapes. These events, led by locals, authentically reflect the Hida region’s folk traditions.

Oyama Town’s hot springs are renowned for their natural sodium bicarbonate water, known for its clear, soft texture and skin-benefiting properties—ideal for sensitive skin. Notably, Onsen Ryokan like Onsen Daino and Morinoyu are designated national hot spring sites, with water temperatures around 42°C and rich mineral content. Many inns offer open-air baths overlooking the Hida Mountains and Oyama River, creating serene, scenic soaking experiences. Combine with foot baths and herbal steam rooms for a full Japanese wellness ritual. Traditional wooden architecture enhances the tranquil, meditative atmosphere.

Yes, Oyama Town offers several quiet, intimate accommodations perfect for solo travelers. Seishin-an, a boutique minshuku with only six rooms, features standalone wooden cottages with tatami floors and private gardens. Guests enjoy chef-prepared kaiseki dinners and can relax on a stargazing terrace at night. Another choice is Hida Koya, offering single rooms and shared tea rooms, frequently hosting calligraphy and tea ceremony sessions, helping solo visitors integrate into local rhythms. Both offer calm, reflective environments ideal for introspection and creativity.

In Oyama Town, try forest cabin camping at Hida no Mori Yado, an eco-lodge built among ancient cedar forests using reclaimed timber. Each room has floor-to-ceiling windows facing dense woods and streams. Morning guided hikes explore the Hida Trail, led by forestry experts who share insights on local flora and fauna. In the evening, join bonfire gatherings with wild mountain cuisine and homemade plum wine. Some cabins feature rooftop stargazing platforms—perfect for astronomy lovers. The lodge also hosts forest healing workshops combining aromatherapy and mindful breathing, promoting holistic well-being.

Must-try food experiences in Oyama Town center on Hida beef and mountain vegetables. Visit Yamano Ie, a heritage eatery famed for its Hida beef sukiyaki, served with house-pickled radishes and tofu, delivering rich, umami flavors. Don’t miss Oyama River fish dishes, featuring locally caught crucian carp and trout, grilled over charcoal or simmered in clear broth. For deeper immersion, join the Farm Table Experience, cooking buckwheat noodles and fermented rice dumplings in a local home using organic ingredients. Many restaurants serve non-additive soy sauce and natural fermentation drinks, emphasizing health and authenticity.

Yes, Oyama Town is highly accessible by car and ideal for self-drivers. From Nagoya, it’s about 1.5 hours via National Route 21 and the Tōkai-Hokuriku Expressway. Free parking is available at key spots like Oyama Shrine Square and the Old House Museum entrance. We recommend renting a four-wheel-drive vehicle for mountain curves and wet roads during rainy seasons. Local tourist buses connect major sites like Hida no Sato and Oyama River walking trails. For those unfamiliar with rural roads, private guided tours with local drivers offer safe, informative journeys through the Hida Mountains, sharing geological and ecological stories along the way.

Oyama Town is a paradise for photographers. Stay at Hikari no Niwa, a design-focused inn with glass-roofed rooms and suspended terraces overlooking the Oyama River. Its panoramic views capture morning mist and golden sunsets perfectly. Each room features adjustable curtains for optimal lighting control. The Hida Ancient Road Photography Station offers professional gear rentals and sunrise photography coaching, teaching how to shoot traditional wooden houses and seasonal blooms. During autumn, the inn runs limited night photography tours, illuminating ancient bridges and streams with custom lighting setups. All photos can be archived in the Oyama Town Photo Archive.

Accommodations in Oyama Town actively integrate guests into seasonal festivals. During the spring festival, Oyama Onsen Minshuku provides traditional kimono fittings and festival visit packages, guiding guests through kagura dances and prayer rituals while avoiding crowds. In summer, the firefly festival includes overnight river-side tent stays, where guests lie beneath the stars watching glowing fireflies, enhanced by ambient soundscapes and blackout rooms. During winter, the snow lantern festival offers warm hut stays and handmade lantern workshops, letting guests light their own snow-lit lanterns. Organized by locals, these events preserve community spirit and deepen cultural connection.