Having trouble booking a ryokan in Takayama for October (realize close). So far every place booked. Many without english-speakers to discuss.

Any advice on names of places where people have experienced would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!

I wouldn't be surprised. I made my reservations 5 months ago in the area for Oct and it was hard to do then. You are trying to make a res in prime fall foliage season in the area and the Takyama Matsuri on 10/9-10/10 so you may have to take what you can get at this stage. Try some of these places if you haven't already:

http://japaneseguesthouses.com/db/takayama/index.htm

http://www.takayama-guide.com/#a01

http://www.ryokan.or.jp/index_en.html

http://www.jpinn.com/

You can also base yourself in nearby Gero Onsen or Furukawa. Good Luck!

Aloha!

I stayed a Sumiyoshi. It was pretty good. Some people loved it. I didn't really like the shared toilet. Great location.

The Best Western (obviously not a ryokan) would be a very good choice in Takayama.

I too stayed and Sumiyoshi and loved it. Great value, excellent food and location and charming hosts. A few photos;

http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog...4160/tpod.html

and their website.

keep trying! We were there in the spring and it was amazing.

Stayed at the Rickshaw Inn in Takayama.Its not a ryokan.Ideally located.Lovely place.They serve only breakfast.heres the link
http://www.rickshawinn.com/e/index.html

Also have a look at Japanican (www.japanican.com). I don't know what date you actually need but when I put in several different dates they came up with a number of both ryokans and hotels. We used Japanican to make one of our bookings last year and had no problem.

I second rickshaw inn too. Not a ryokan but japanese styled still.

If you want a nice onsen ryokan, i highly recommend Yarimikan at Okuhida near Takayama. One of nicest onsens i have been. http://www.yarimikan.com/english/index.htm

Remember to try the Hida beef steak in Takayama..it's heavenly....

We stayed at the Nagase ryokan in Takayama a few years ago and absolutely loved it

Ooooh yessss!..the Hida beef steak.Wanztan it was superb!!Cant forget it.Highly recommended it.

I was at Oyado Banri two years ago. It was nice and cheap. It seems they have free rooms. Hope you check it out and find what you like. Although the days of Takayama festival are taken OFCOURSE
http://www.banri.com/system/hotel/a....=2009&month=10

Here some other places to stay:
http://hida-yado.net/yado/e-yado.htm

I stayed at Tsunaro in Hida(Takayama) last year. The facility was pretty on the outside(converted 19th century farmhouse) but the rooms and baths were very out of date and somewhat run down.

I'm headed back again this year and will be staying at the Hagi Takayama. It's a little more expensive than I'd prefer, but with its own own onsen and all inclusive meals, it sounds like it be a nice deal.