This post discusses what you must see in Takayama and how to plan your two-day itinerary in this mountainous region of Japan.
There is a good reason why I recommend you spend at least two days in Takayama, also known as Hida-Takayama, on your first trip to Japan. This small mountainous town in the Gifu region of Nikon is like nothing else you will see in Japan and should be on everybody’s bucket-list in our opinion.
Takayama truly has it all: history, culture, mouth-watering food and friendly locals. Its narrow cobblestones streets are lined with historic buildings and small unusual museums. And the river that flows through the town is filled with koi fish. If you crave nature you can even easily head-up into the hillside on a journey to discover Takayama’s temples.
ABOUT TAKAYAMA
Takayama (高山) is a city in the mountainous Hida region of Gifu Prefecture. The city is also commonly referred to as Hida-Takayama, to differentiate it from a couple of other villages named Takayama. It is a prime destination for travelers who wish to add a rural element to their Japan itinerary. Because of its remote mountainous location, Takayama’s has clung on to its traditions, more so than most other Japanese Cities. Takayama is famous for its highly skilled carpenters, so make sure to grab a wooden souvenir in this town. The skill of the regions carpenters is especially apparent in the floats, created for the annual spring and autumn festivals.
Enjoy a stroll through this museum-like town and its beautifully preserved Old Town. There are numerous attractions including a small number of museums devoted to the craftsmanship of the locals and old private houses that lie in the area between Miyagawa River and the extremely picturesque Shiroyama Park. Browse the various shops selling traditional wares and taste some of the best Sake in the region.
HOW TO GET TO TAKAYAMA FROM TOKYO
Although Takayama might seem remote when looking at a map of the land of the rising Sun, the sleepy town is actually quite easy to get to. And the scenic train journey from Tokyo to Takayama makes a visit to the Mountainous town almost worth it by itself.
You can check the departure times for trains via Hyperdia. I would also strongly recommend that you get a JR Pass, because it’s the best way to reduce the cost of your trip to Japan.
In Tokyo head to Tokyo Station. From here board the Shinkansen Hikari Bullet train to JR Nagoya Station. The journey will take about an hour and a half.
Within Nagoya Station change trains and board the Limited Express Hida train to Takayama Station. If possible try to grab a seat on the right–hand side. This journey takes 2 hours and a half and is one of the most magnificent Train Journeys through the Japanese Alps (often compared to the Alps of Europe).
I guarantee that this train journey will be one of the highlights of your trip to Japan.
HOW LONG TO STAY IN TAKAYAMA
On our first two week trip to Japan, Gary and I spent two days in Takayama. So I would suggest that you plan to spend at least a day and a half in Takayama.
Exploring the town of Hida Takayama will definitely take you a full day. And if you want to go on a day-trip to Shirakawago , then you will need at least another day. By the way, I strongly recommend you do not remove this open-air museum from your itinerary.
Finally, if you also want to go on the 3.5 kilometer Higashiyama Walking Course, then you should probably add another day in Takayama to your itinerary.
WHAT TO MUST SEE IN TAKAYAMA
A trip to Hide Takayama will take you back to the Edo/ samurai period. If you love history, then there is definitely a lot to see and do in this small Japanese town.
Below I have listed a couple of things, that you simply must see in Takayama. But I am going to be honest with you, we personally didn’t have enough time to do them all. So pick and choose wisely.
ENJOY BREAKFAST AT TAKAYAMA MORNING MARKETS
If you have stayed in Takayama the previous night, then you should start-off your sightseeing day by frequenting one of Takayama’s morning markets (朝市). These are held daily from 6h30 in the morning to 12am in the early afternoon.
Takayama has two morning markets. The Jinyae-Mae Market is located in front of the Takayama Jinya, whilst the Miyagawa Market sprawls along the Riverbank of the old town. During our first trip to Thailand, Gary and I chose to visit the latter of the two, as it’s setting near the river was perfect for a morning walk.
To my surprise and delight, we discovered that Takayama’s river is filled with red and white Koi Fish. As you approach the banks, thousands of mouths open and close begging for food. It was quite an entertaining sight.
Miyagawa Market is a great place to enjoy breakfast, as it’s market stalls mainly sell fresh produce, and farm products, such as vegetables, fruits, various snacks, pickles and flowers.
EXPLORE TAKAYAMA’S ANCIENT ARCHITECTURE
THE OLD TOWN
One of the best things to do in Takayama is to take a stroll through the narrow streets of its old town. Just relax and take-in the incredible wooden architecture of this part of Japan. Most of the beautifully restored buildings on these streets date back to the Edo Period (1600-1868), when Takayama was a thriving merchants‘ town.
Sannomachi Street is, by far, the best-preserved street of Takayama’s Old Town. Many of its ancient buildings have now been converted into cafés, shops and sake breweries.
If you get tired of walking, you can always jump on a rickshaw and let someone else do the heavy walking for you. A half an hour guided rickshaw tour for two people cost about 5000 Yen = 45 us$.
You can also gain a good insight into life in Japan during the Edo period, by visiting one of the many old private merchant houses located in this part of town. Most of them have been converted into small museums that exhibit traditional household goods and the local arts and crafts. I have listed a couple of them below:
THE YOSHIJAMA HERITAGE HOUSE
The Yoshijama Heritage House, the former residence of the Yoshijama family and sake brewery, is located right next to the Kusakabe Heritage House and is also open to the public.
- Admission costs 500 yen (currently 3£)
KUSAKABE MINGEIKAN
The Kusakabe Heritage House is one of Takayama’s oldest merchant homes. It used to be the residence of the very wealthy Kusakabe family, who were very successful money lenders.
- Admission costs 500 yen (currently 3£)
GET DRUNK IN THE OLD SAKE BREWERY
Sake is particularly good in Takayama and several old sake breweries can be found in the old town. You will recognize them from the enormous sugidama (balls made of cedar branches) hung over their entrances. Apart from watching the old craft of Sake Making, you should also attempt to purchase a sample from one of the local breweries.
VISIT A MUSEUM TO DISCOVER LIFE IN THE EDO PERIOD
HIDA MINZOKU KOKOKAN
The Hida Minzoku Kokokan Museum (also called Hida Folk Archaeological Museum) is definitely worth a visit, if you are a history nerd. Set-up in one of Sanmachi-Dori Street’s oldest buildings, it was once the home of a former samurai. The building features various secret passageways and has an old well in the garden, that hasn’t changed since the Edo Period.
- Admission costs 500 yen (currently 3£)
HIRATA KINEKAN
The Hirata Kinenkan, also known as the Hirata Folk Museum, is an old merchant home and former residence of a candle maker. It is open to the public and numerous household items and historic documents are on display within its living quarters.
- Admission costs 300 yen (currently 2£)
KARAKURI MUSEUM
The Karakuri Museum is another museum you might want to visit if you cannot participate in Takayama’s Festivals and a slightly cheaper alternative to the Yatai Kaikan. The Museum has a collection of mechanical dolls mounted to the festival floats and over 2000 shishimai (lion dance) masks from all around Japan.
- Admission costs 600 yen (currently 3£)
MATSURI NO MORI
The Matsuri No Mori Museum is located outside of Takayama’s city center. It showcases all the key aspects of the Festivals. A 50-meter-long hallway, lined with eleven miniature replicas of the festival floats and gold-lacquered folding screens depicting Kyoto’s Festival floats, leads to the main exhibition space. In the main exhibition space, you will find full-sized replicas of the floats with machine-operated Karakuri Dolls. You can get a real close vie of the elaborate design and decoration of the Festival Floats. The Museum also has to huge Taiko Drums on display, said to be the biggest drums in the world.
- Admission is 1000 yen (currently 5.5£), making it the most expensive of all three festival museums.
KARAKURI MUSEUM
The Karakuri Museum is another museum you might want to visit if you cannot participate in Takayama’s Festivals and a slightly cheaper alternative to the Yatai Kaikan. The Museum has a collection of mechanical dolls mounted to the festival floats and over 2000 shishimai (lion dance) masks from all around Japan.
- Admission costs 600 yen (currently 3£)
TAKE PART IN THE YATAI KAIKAN SPRING FESTIVAL
The Takayama Spring Festival (April 14th and 15th) and Autumn Festival (October 9th and 10th) are ranked as Japan’s most beautiful Festivals. If you visiting Takayama outside of the Festival season, you can head to the Takayama Matsuri Yatai Kaikan (高山祭屋台会館), where four of the hundred-year-old autumn festival floats are exhibited for the rest of the year.
- Admission to the Yatai Kaikan cost 820 yen (currently 5£).
IMMERSE YOURSELF IN NATURE ON THE HIGASHIYAMA WALKING TOUR
If history isn’t your thing and you prefer to immerse yourself in nature, don’t worry. An alternative to all the above, is the 3.5 kilometer long Higashiyama Walking Course (東山遊歩道). This pleasant route leads you through Takayama’s Temple Town and Shiroyama Park – the former site of Takayama Castle. On the way to the ruins of Takayama’s former Castle, you will discover dozens of Temples and Shrines .
TAKE A DAY-TRIP TO THE UNESCO HERITAGE VILLAGE OF SHIRAKAWA-GO
I would recommend that you take a day-trip nearby Shirakawa-Go, whilst you are staying in Takayama. Shirakawa is a UNESCO world heritage site and small village famous for its traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses.
I describe how to get to Shirakawa-Go and what to do when you get there in another post. Because honestly, there is so much to write about this beautiful village that remains frozen in time.
WHERE TO EAT IN TAKAYAMA
Of all the places we visited in Japan, apart from Osaka perhaps, Takayama had the very best food of the country. Being a land-locked town, the cuisine of Takayama is unsurprising meat based. But not just any meat. Oh no. This region of Japan is famous for its Hida beef, which is literally so tender it will melt on your tongue.
CENTRE 4 BURGERS
It feels a bit odd to be recommending a Burger Joint in an Asian country. In fact, it feels a little sacrilegious.
But honestly these Burgers are amazing. And according to Gary it was actually the best Burger of his life. You might even need to reserve a table before hand, because this place I super popular.
It would be easy to walk right past the “Center 4” sign. The entrance to this restaurant feels like a back-passage and you might wonder whether you are strolling into someone’s private house. But the restaurants long entrance corridor is actually built in the traditional Unagi no Nedoko style that is very distinctive for this area.
Once you have grabbed a table, order the Hida Beef Burger, the burger is made from a particularly tender beef reared in the local area. Velvety soft and full of flavour the beef will melt in your mouth.
JAKUSON CURRY
I have no qualms about suggesting this small restaurant whatsoever. It is an insider tip, that you will love. I promise.
The curry served at Jakuson Curry is beyond this world. The Hida beef is super tender and the spices used in its sauce are just right.
Again, you are going to want to book this restaurant in advance, because seating is limited and this place is extremely popular.
Note that this restaurant’s tables are traditional Japanese ones and that you will, therefore, need to sit on your knees. But hopefully, the little notepads will distract you from the pain, as you leave a little drawing behind for future customers.
