Yatsusankan Ohiroma-tō: A Grand Banquet Hall of Hida Craftsmanship
Nestled along the tranquil Arakigawa River in the historic town of Furukawa, Hida City, Gifu Prefecture, the Yatsusankan Ohiroma-tō (Grand Hall Building) stands as a remarkable testament to early Shōwa-era Japanese architecture. This two-story wooden structure, built in 1935, is part of the celebrated Yatsusankan ryokan — a traditional Japanese inn with a heritage spanning over 170 years. Registered as a National Tangible Cultural Property in 2007, the Grand Hall Building captivates visitors with its masterful use of premium timber and the breathtaking 100-tatami-mat banquet hall on the second floor.
Historical Background
The story of Yatsusankan begins in the late Edo period, when a man named Sangoro from Yatsuo in Toyama Prefecture relocated to Hida Furukawa and established a lodging house. The inn's name combines "Yatsu" from his hometown and "San" from his given name. Originally a rice merchant turned merchant inn, Yatsusankan evolved into a ryotei (fine-dining establishment) and eventually became the acclaimed ryotei ryokan it is today.
The inn's main building (Honkan) was reconstructed in 1905 following the devastating Great Furukawa Fire of 1904, and the Grand Hall Building was added in 1935 to provide an expansive reception space befitting the inn's growing prestige. Together with the main building and the storehouse (Dozō), the Grand Hall Building was registered as a National Tangible Cultural Property on October 2, 2007, recognizing the architectural significance of the entire Yatsusankan complex.
Why It Was Designated a Cultural Property
The Yatsusankan Ohiroma-tō was registered as a Tangible Cultural Property for several compelling reasons. The building stands behind the main hall in a north-south orientation, featuring a classic irimoya-zukuri (hipped-gable) roof with sankawarabuki (pantile) tiling. On the ground floor, an entrance facing the Arakigawa River leads to a reception room and several elegant tatami rooms. The second floor houses the magnificent grand hall — a stunning 100-tatami space including the tatami corridor, equipped with a tokonoma (decorative alcove), chigaidana (staggered shelving), and tsuke-shoin (built-in writing alcove).
What sets this building apart is its use of exceptionally fine timber and the superb level of craftsmanship throughout, reflecting the renowned skills of Hida's master carpenters. The result is a space of refined elegance that exemplifies the best traditions of Japanese hospitality architecture from the early Shōwa period.
Architectural Highlights and Points of Interest
The centerpiece of the building is undoubtedly the second-floor grand hall. At 100 tatami mats in total, it is an awe-inspiring space where traditional banquets, wedding receptions, and formal gatherings have been held for nearly a century. The tokonoma alcove is adorned with carefully selected materials, while the chigaidana shelving and tsuke-shoin writing desk showcase the meticulous joinery and aesthetic sensibility of Hida's craftsmen.
The building's wooden structure covers a footprint of 283 square meters and rises two stories beneath its graceful tiled roof. Each room on the ground floor has its own unique design character, a hallmark of the Yatsusankan complex as a whole, where no two rooms are alike. Visitors can appreciate the patina of age on the carefully maintained woodwork — what the inn poetically calls "keinen-bika," or the beauty that comes with the passage of time.
The Yatsusankan Experience
While the Grand Hall Building is a registered cultural property, it exists as a living part of the Yatsusankan ryokan, where guests can experience its beauty firsthand. The inn offers kaiseki cuisine prepared with local Hida ingredients including Hida beef, river fish from the Miyagawa River, and seasonal mountain delicacies. Guests can also enjoy the inn's garden open-air baths fed by Nagarewa Onsen, an alkaline simple hot spring known for its silky-smooth water.
The inn comprises three distinct wings: the Shōgetsurō (1905, Hida merchant-house style), the Kōgetsurō (early Shōwa, sukiya-zukuri tearoom style), and the Kangetsurō (built in 1997, contemporary Japanese style). This variety allows guests to choose the atmosphere that best suits their preferences, from deeply traditional to comfortably modern.
Visitor Information and Surrounding Area
Hida Furukawa is often described as the "inner parlor of Takayama," offering a quieter, more intimate alternative to its famous neighbor. The town is renowned for its white-walled storehouses and the Setogawa Canal, where colorful koi swim beneath willow trees. It also gained international attention as a location that inspired the anime film "Your Name" (Kimi no Na wa).
Within walking distance of Yatsusankan, visitors can explore the atmospheric streets of the historic district, visit Hida Furukawa Matsuri Kaikan to learn about the town's spectacular annual festival, or stop at one of the local sake breweries. The town is also known for its traditional Japanese candle (wa-rōsoku) workshops. The nearby Honkōji Temple, situated directly across the Arakigawa River from the inn, is one of the three temples featured in the Santera Mairi winter pilgrimage tradition.
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Q＆A
- Can visitors see the Grand Hall Building without staying at the inn?
- The Grand Hall Building is part of the operating Yatsusankan ryokan. To fully experience its interior, staying at the inn or dining there is recommended. The exterior can be appreciated from the Arakigawa riverside.
- How do I get to Yatsusankan from Tokyo or Osaka?
- From Tokyo, take the Tokaido Shinkansen to Nagoya, then the Limited Express Hida to Hida-Furukawa Station (about 4 hours total). From Osaka, take the Shinkansen to Nagoya and transfer similarly. The inn is a 6-minute walk from the station, and pickup service is available.
- What other registered cultural properties are at Yatsusankan?
- In addition to the Grand Hall Building (1935), the Main Building (Honkan, 1905) and the Storehouse (Dozō) are also registered as National Tangible Cultural Properties, all designated in 2007.
- What is the best season to visit Hida Furukawa?
- Each season offers unique charm. Spring brings cherry blossoms and the famous Furukawa Festival (April 19-20). Summer features firefly viewing. Autumn displays vivid foliage, and winter offers snowy landscapes and the Santera Mairi pilgrimage in January.
- Is the inn suitable for international guests who do not speak Japanese?
- Yatsusankan warmly welcomes international guests. The inn has an English-language website and staff are experienced in hosting visitors from abroad. The traditional ryokan experience is intuitive and the staff provide attentive guidance throughout your stay.
Basic Information
| Name | Yatsusankan Ohiroma-tō (八ツ三館大広間棟) |
|---|---|
| Cultural Property Type | National Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Building) |
| Year Built | 1935 (Shōwa 10) |
| Registration Date | October 2, 2007 |
| Structure | Two-story wooden building, tiled roof, building area 283 m² |
| Architectural Style | Irimoya-zukuri (hipped-gable roof) with pantile tiling |
| Address | 1-8-33 Mukaichō, Furukawa-chō, Hida City, Gifu Prefecture 509-4241 |
| Access | 6-minute walk from JR Hida-Furukawa Station (Takayama Line) |
| Inn Website | https://823kan.com/ |
References
- 八ツ三館大広間棟 - 文化遺産オンライン
- https://bunka.nii.ac.jp/heritages/detail/182596
- 八ツ三館本館 - 文化遺産オンライン
- https://bunka.nii.ac.jp/heritages/detail/119254
- 【公式】飛騨古川 八ツ三館
- https://823kan.com/
- 飛騨古川「八ツ三館」宿泊体験記 - 岐阜の旅ガイド
- https://www.kankou-gifu.jp/blog/detail_289.html
- 八ツ三館 - 飛騨市公式観光サイト「飛騨の旅」
- https://www.hida-kankou.jp/reserve/467
Last verified: 2026.04.10