hotel around TAKAYAMA, Ascend Hotel Collection™, located in Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture, has been awarded Level 4 "Gyoiko (御衣黄) Cherry Blossom" certification under "Sakura Quality An ESG Practice" — an internationally backed ESG certification program for accommodation facilities.
Takayama: A World-Recognized Destination for Hospitality
Takayama City in Gifu Prefecture is widely celebrated for its well-preserved Edo-period townscapes, morning markets, and sake breweries, drawing visitors from across Japan and around the world.
In a recent accolade, Booking.com's "Traveller Review Awards 2026" named Takayama one of the world's ten most welcoming cities for 2026 — the only Japanese city to make the global list.
(Source: Booking.com "Traveller Review Awards 2026")
Set within this globally acclaimed destination, hotel around TAKAYAMA functions as a hub connecting travelers with the city's streets, culture, and people. The hotel is designed as a new lifestyle hotel that creates opportunities for guests to encounter, explore, and savor Hida Takayama in a deeper, more authentic way.
About Sakura Quality An ESG Practice
"Sakura Quality An ESG Practice" is a Japan-originated ESG certification for accommodation facilities whose standards have been approved by the U.S.-based GSTC (The Global Sustainable Tourism Council), the international body responsible for establishing and managing global sustainable tourism standards.
Facilities are evaluated across 172 criteria covering environmental consideration, community engagement, and sustainable corporate governance. Each property completes a detailed checklist and undergoes an on-site inspection, resulting in a five-tier rating.
Why hotel around TAKAYAMA Earned This Certification
As global awareness of environmental issues and climate change continues to grow, the tourism industry has placed increasing importance on sustainable tourism. According to Booking.com's "Sustainable Travel Report 2025," 93% of travelers worldwide (85% in Japan) say they want to make more sustainable choices when traveling, and many report already taking steps in that direction.
hotel around TAKAYAMA operates under the concept of "building a sustainable relationship with the local community" through encounters with uniquely Hida Takayama "GOOD LOCAL" — the people, experiences, food, culture, and products that are loved and rooted in the region.
hotel around TAKAYAMA's Key Initiatives
Introducing Guests to the Charms of Hida Takayama
- Display of "GOOD LOCAL MAP," a town map highlighting recommended spots
- "GOOD LOCAL 100" card-format local guides freely available for guests to take home
- Curated collection of books related to Hida Takayama
- Exhibitions by local illustrators introducing Takayama's history and culture
- Breakfast and dinner menus featuring locally sourced ingredients
SDGs Initiatives
- Display of furniture and artwork created from reclaimed timber
- Introduction of amenities using aged rice, broken rice grains, and wheat by-products to reduce plastic consumption
- Promotion of low-carbon tourism through electric-assisted bicycle rentals
- Reduction of food waste through set-menu breakfast options
- Use of coffee carrying both Rainforest Alliance certification and organic cultivation certification
About hotel around TAKAYAMA, Ascend Hotel Collection™
hotel around TAKAYAMA, Ascend Hotel Collection™ is a lifestyle hotel built around the concept of "weaving GOOD LOCAL encounters between travelers and Hida Takayama." The hotel serves as a HUB connecting guests with five categories of GOOD LOCAL experiences: PEOPLE (encounters with people), EXPERIENCE (encounters with things and activities), FOOD (encounters with food), CULTURE (encounters with history and culture), and PRODUCT (encounters with crafts and goods).
Launched on July 1, 2023, the property became the first hotel in Japan to join the Ascend Hotel Collection™ — a world-leading independent hotel collection brand belonging to Choice Hotels International, which operates more than 7,500 hotels in 46 countries.
Guest room furniture, including tables and chairs, incorporates handcrafted pieces made in Hida Takayama, creating a space where visitors can feel close to the land's history and culture. Throughout the hotel, 100 "GOOD LOCAL 100" cards introduce the region, history, people, and food of Hida Takayama, allowing guests to collect cards based on their interests and create their own personalized guidebook.
Hotel Information
Address: 1-42-7 Hanaoka-cho, Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture 506-0009
TEL: 0577-36-2811
Building: 8 floors, 152 rooms total, all non-smoking
Access: Approximately 4-minute walk from JR Takayama Station / Approximately 10-minute drive from Takayama IC
URL: https://www.choice-hotels.jp/ascend/aroundtakayama/
