Hotel Indigo Inuyama Urakuen Garden by IHG

Hotel Review: Hotel Indigo Inuyama Urakuen Garden, Japan Stay Dates: 25th – 27th March 2025 Tucked away in the picturesque town of Inuyama, Hotel Indigo Inuyama Urakuen Garden offers a serene and elegant retreat — a perfect contrast to the busier cities of Japan. With lush greenery, peaceful surroundings, and the historic Inuyama Castle just next door, the hotel is ideally situated for those looking to experience a more tranquil and culturally rich side of the country. I was fortunate enough to visit at the very start of the cherry blossom season, which added a magical touch to the already stunning setting. The blend of natural beauty and historical charm made the location one of the highlights of my trip. The hotel itself is beautifully designed, blending contemporary elements with traditional touches. The room was immaculately clean, comfortable, and featured a lovely balcony to enjoy the surrounding views. While it was unfortunate that a twin room wasn’t available, necessitating a second room, the stay remained very comfortable. Facilities were a pleasure to use — especially the sauna and steam room area, which provided a welcome way to unwind after exploring. The breakfast was of very good quality, and although the restaurant and in-room dining options were limited, the food itself was excellent. While the language barrier presented some challenges, several staff members went out of their way to assist, showing genuine hospitality and care. A heartfelt thank you to Tomiyoshi Muzuno, the restaurant supervisor, and Chef Yoshitaka Okayama, who went above and beyond to accommodate my friend’s dietary requirements with kindness and professionalism. For travellers looking to explore a quieter, more scenic side of Japan — with easy access via bullet train from Tokyo — I would absolutely recommend Hotel Indigo Inuyama Urakuen Garden. It offers peace, charm, and a warm, local touch that creates a memorable and relaxing stay.

Perfect location found just 5min walk from the traditional Japanese shrine and street area 犬山城, but totally away from the Hustle and bustle. Actually, it’s just like a Secluded paradise suddenly revealed at a tourist spot, Especially the moment when walking inside the hotel to see the mirror reflection of the mountain and the castle. Very refined, decoration and room design, love all the furniture and attention to details. Price is great for a such level of quality!

Dear GM Gentaro Asanumhiot, It was a pleasure meeting you and thank you for a personal welcome. I have very much enjoyed my visit to Japan playing the piano and learning Jiu Jitsu in a class, and now experiencing your amazing Hotel and Hakutei no Yu Hot Spring Spa Baths. Also learning Japanese along the way to be respectful. I feel so welcome here your team do a fabulous job. Thank you for our personal gift. As a Diamond Elite Member of IHG I was very impressed. My colleague Jonathan visited here 30 years ago when it was an older building and hot springs. I see you have cared for the area and kept a natural feeling being discreet and gentle to the local habitat. Respectful in the Japanese tradition. It was lovely to see a hands on approach by the General Manager and not hiding in a back office like we have seen at other Hotels. He is great with his staff and they all enjoy working here which you can see. I even thanked the Chef personally in perfect Japanese I see the Chef team were shocked to see someone thanking them we noticed lots of guests just expected food - I was forever greatful. The wonderful 1537 Castle stands proud in our view from our balcony. I noticed some guests rushing around, I had patience and let them all go in the same lift elevator all together crowded. I waited with patience then got a lift elevator all to myself. Good things come to those who wait. A special commendation to Momeka who was very friendly welcoming and helpful. Thank you. 5 stars and a word of respect to you and your team you have our blessing. We will ensure IHG head office hear about our delightful stay. The longer I stay in Japan the more Japanese I am becoming... Thank you, Matthew

Service from all members of the team was impeccable from arrival to check out. The team really went out of the way to make my stay experience a fabulous one. Was warmly received at check in by the front desk manager and team. Received a welcome note from the hotel GM. IHG diamond status was well recognised and all the hotel staff really made me feel extremely welcome. Loved the hotel onsen, it was very beautifully renovated with both indoor and outdoor options and sauna. Very relaxing experience. Rooms were spotless and very meticulously done up. Breakfast was fabulous and the restaurant team took great care of me and my wife. All in all, I would say a very solid and exemplary 5* stay experience. Great job to the staff and management at this property.

Great hotel! The view surrounding the hotel is beautiful with clear view of the famous Inuyama castle. The walks surrounding the hotel is also very nice, with routes going along the river. Guests also have access to an onsen and the National Garden. Breakfast is good and the coffee is decent. It is located further away from the main part of Nagoya, but catching an express train from the closest train station will only take less than 30mins.

Our stay at Indigo Inuyama was nothing short of wonderful. From the moment we checked in, we were warmly welcomed by the kind and attentive staff, making our experience truly special. A heartfelt thank you to Chihara Horiba, who went above and beyond to assist us with renting a car equipped with snow tires. Given the high demand during this season, securing one on our own had been quite challenging, and navigating Japanese rental websites left me feeling helpless. Despite it being a particularly busy time at the hotel, with many guests arriving due to the temporary holiday, Chihara handled our request with genuine willingness and professionalism. Her dedication and kindness made a world of difference, and we are truly grateful for her help. Beyond this, every staff member we encountered was friendly, courteous, and eager to assist, further enhancing our stay. The hotel’s facilities were excellent, and the breathtaking scenery surrounding the hotel—as well as the view from our room—made our time there even more memorable. However, the highlight for our entire family was undoubtedly the onsen. It was a serene and peaceful retreat, except for one evening when a group of loud guests disrupted the tranquility. While I wish someone could have addressed the noise to preserve the peaceful atmosphere, I understand the staff's hesitation in handling such a situation, given how courteous everyone at the hotel was. Fortunately, this was only a minor inconvenience, and every other visit to the onsen was simply perfect. A special mention also goes to the Japanese breakfast, which I highly recommend over the Western option—it was truly a delightful experience. Additionally, we absolutely loved the coffee milk and fresh milk, which added a lovely touch to our mornings. We are already looking forward to returning in another season to experience the charm of this hotel once again. Thank you for an unforgettable stay!

Free parking for those who drive, and about 8-10 mins walk from the train station if travelling by train. Hotel architecture is spectacular as it resembles a Zen garden. Decor is tasteful and rooms are relatively large. Booked a castle view queen room and woke up an amazing view. The onsite spa had an outdoor onsen as well which was amazing during winter. Breakfast was amazing for ~4700 yen/ person - plenty of local produce used in the dishes and we opted for the Japanese breakfast which included a semi buffet.

We were wowed by the design of the hotel facing the castle when we first arrived. Wonderful design and the rooms and common areas was very pretty. Had breakfast and lunch at the restaurant, which was very good quality as well. I have to commend on the staff service. I asked for help for a dinner booking at Daruma a local restaurant, for dinner. Even thou the first night they were unable to help me make the booking they persisted and eventually helped me make the booking for one dinner. The team even emailed me about it to because they were not able to reach me inside the room. Top notch service. Will definitely recommend family and friends to this place if they are in Nagoya or Inuyama. Overall a wonderful stay.