Takayama, Japan: Best Things to Do – Top Picks

Did you know that Takayama’s historic district contains over 200 buildings dating back to the Edo period (1603-1868), making it one of Japan’s most perfectly preserved traditional towns? Nestled in the mountainous Hida region of Gifu Prefecture, this charming city offers visitors a glimpse into Japan’s past while providing unique cultural experiences that can’t be found in larger tourist destinations.

Getting to Takayama

Takayama is located in central Japan, approximately 4.5 hours from Tokyo by train. While the journey might seem long, the scenic route through the Japanese Alps makes it worthwhile. Here are the best ways to reach this mountain gem:

By Train

The most popular way to reach Takayama is by train. From Tokyo, take the JR Tokaido Shinkansen to Nagoya (about 2 hours), then transfer to the JR Hida Limited Express to Takayama (2.5 hours). If you’re coming from Kyoto or Osaka, follow a similar route through Nagoya. The Japan Rail Pass covers this journey, making it an economical option for international visitors.

By Bus

Highway buses connect Takayama with major cities like Tokyo, Nagoya, and Kanazawa. The journey from Tokyo takes approximately 5.5 hours but is typically more affordable than the train. Overnight buses are also available on certain dates, allowing you to save on accommodation costs.

By Air

The closest airport to Takayama is Toyama Airport, about 90 minutes away by bus or train. However, most international travelers will find it more convenient to fly into Tokyo, Osaka, or Nagoya and continue by train or bus.

Best Time to Visit Takayama

Takayama is beautiful year-round, but certain seasons offer unique experiences that might align better with your travel preferences:

The Takayama Festival, held twice a year in spring and autumn, is considered one of Japan’s most beautiful festivals. If you’re planning your trip around these events, book accommodations well in advance as the city fills up quickly.

Getting Around Takayama

Takayama’s compact size makes it an ideal city to explore on foot. Most attractions are within walking distance of each other, especially in the historic district. Here are your options for getting around:

Walking

The most enjoyable way to experience Takayama is on foot. The historic district, morning markets, and many temples are all within a 20-minute walk of the train station. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended as you’ll be strolling on cobblestone streets and slight inclines.

Local Buses

For attractions further afield, such as Hida Folk Village, local buses are available. The Sarubobo Bus connects the train station with major tourist spots and runs every 30 minutes. One-day passes are available for unlimited rides.

Bicycle Rental

Several shops near the train station offer bicycle rentals, which is a pleasant way to cover more ground. Takayama is relatively flat in the central area, making cycling accessible for most visitors.

Taxi

Taxis are readily available at the train station and can be a convenient option for reaching destinations outside the city center, especially in bad weather.

Where to Stay in Takayama

Takayama offers a range of accommodation options, from traditional ryokans to modern hotels. Most visitors prefer staying near the train station or in the historic district for convenience.

Traditional Ryokans

Experience authentic Japanese hospitality at a traditional inn. Ryokans feature tatami mat floors, futon bedding, and often include kaiseki (multi-course) meals. Many have onsen (hot spring baths) for relaxation after a day of sightseeing.

Modern Hotels

For those who prefer Western-style accommodations, Takayama has several modern hotels offering comfortable rooms with standard amenities. Most are located near the train station, making them convenient for travelers with early departures or late arrivals.

Guesthouses & Hostels

Budget travelers will find several guesthouses and hostels offering affordable accommodations with shared facilities. These are great options for solo travelers looking to meet other visitors and often provide valuable local information from knowledgeable hosts.

Top Attractions: Best Things to Do in Takayama

Takayama offers a perfect blend of historical sites, cultural experiences, and natural beauty. Here are the must-visit attractions that showcase the best of this charming mountain city:

1. Explore Sanmachi Suji (Old Town)

The heart of Takayama’s appeal lies in its beautifully preserved old town district, Sanmachi Suji. This area consists of three parallel streets lined with traditional wooden merchant houses dating back to the Edo period. Many buildings now house sake breweries, craft shops, cafés, and restaurants while maintaining their historic exteriors.

Walking through these narrow streets feels like stepping back in time. The dark wooden facades, latticed bay windows, and overhanging roofs create a distinctive atmosphere that’s especially magical in the early morning or evening when tour groups are fewer. Don’t miss the opportunity to sample local sake at one of the many breweries marked by sugidama (cedar balls) hanging outside.

2. Visit the Morning Markets

Takayama hosts two morning markets daily from 7 AM to noon: the Jinya-mae Market in front of the Takayama Jinya and the Miyagawa Market along the Miyagawa River. Local vendors sell fresh produce, flowers, crafts, and snacks, creating a lively atmosphere where you can interact with locals and sample regional specialties.

The markets are particularly enjoyable for photographers, as the colorful displays against traditional backdrops make for stunning images. For the best experience, arrive early (around 8 AM) before the crowds and enjoy breakfast from one of the food stalls.

3. Discover Takayama Jinya

Takayama Jinya served as the local government office during the Edo period when the Tokugawa shogunate directly controlled the Hida region. It’s the only surviving government building from this era in Japan, offering a fascinating glimpse into the administrative systems of feudal Japan.

Inside, you’ll find tatami-floored rooms that once served as offices, conference spaces, and living quarters. The complex also includes a large rice storehouse, interrogation room, and courtyard. Detailed English explanations help visitors understand the historical significance of each space.

4. Experience Hida Folk Village (Hida no Sato)

Located just 10 minutes by bus from central Takayama, Hida Folk Village is an open-air museum featuring over 30 traditional houses and buildings relocated from the Hida region. These structures, some dating back 500 years, showcase the distinctive architectural styles developed to withstand heavy snowfall, including steep thatched roofs.

Visitors can enter most buildings to see how people lived in different eras. Artisans demonstrate traditional crafts like wood carving and weaving, and seasonal events highlight local customs. The village is particularly atmospheric in winter when covered in snow or during autumn when surrounded by colorful foliage.

5. Visit Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine

This important Shinto shrine dates back to the 4th century and plays a central role in the Takayama Festival. The shrine’s beautiful wooden structures are set against a forested hillside, creating a peaceful atmosphere away from the bustle of the tourist areas.

Adjacent to the shrine is the Yatai Kaikan (Festival Float Exhibition Hall), where visitors can view some of the elaborate floats used in the Takayama Festival year-round. These ornate floats showcase the exceptional craftsmanship of Takayama’s woodworkers and are considered national treasures.

6. Stroll Through the Higashiyama Walking Course

For a peaceful escape, follow the Higashiyama Walking Course, a 3.5-kilometer path that winds through Takayama’s temple town. The trail connects more than a dozen temples and shrines, the Shiroyama Park (site of former Takayama Castle), and scenic viewpoints overlooking the city.

The walk takes about 60-90 minutes to complete and offers a refreshing contrast to the more crowded tourist areas. The temples are less ornate than those in Kyoto but have their own quiet charm, especially when framed by cherry blossoms in spring or colorful leaves in autumn.

Food and Drink: Culinary Experiences in Takayama

Takayama’s culinary scene is a highlight for many visitors, with several distinctive local specialties worth seeking out:

Hida Beef

Often compared to the more famous Kobe beef, Hida beef comes from black-haired Japanese cattle raised in Gifu Prefecture. Known for its intense marbling, tenderness, and rich flavor, it’s served in various ways throughout Takayama. Try it as steak, in sukiyaki, as sushi, or even on a stick as you stroll through the old town.

Takayama Ramen

Unlike the thick, rich broths found elsewhere in Japan, Takayama ramen features a light, clear soy sauce-based broth with thin, straight noodles. Local variations often include Hida beef, green onions, and bamboo shoots. It’s the perfect comfort food after a day of sightseeing, especially in colder months.

Sake

Takayama’s pure mountain water, cold climate, and high-quality rice make it ideal for sake production. The city boasts several historic breweries in the old town, many offering tastings. Look for the sugidama (cedar balls) hanging outside breweries to indicate fresh sake is available.

Hoba Miso

This local specialty consists of miso paste mixed with vegetables, mushrooms, and sometimes Hida beef, grilled on a magnolia leaf (hoba). The leaf imparts a subtle aroma to the dish as it cooks over a small flame at your table, creating an interactive dining experience.

Where to Eat

For the best culinary experiences in Takayama, consider these options:

• For Hida beef: Maruaki, Kyoya, or Hida Beef Baya for budget-friendly skewers
• For Takayama ramen: Menya Shirakawa or Akarenga Sohonten
• For hoba miso: Center4 Hamburgers (despite the name, they specialize in excellent hoba miso)
• For sake tasting: Harada Sake Brewery or Hirase Sake Brewery

Day Trips from Takayama

Takayama’s central location makes it an excellent base for exploring the wider Hida region. Here are some rewarding day trips:

Shirakawa-go

Perhaps the most popular day trip from Takayama, Shirakawa-go is a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses with steep thatched roofs designed to withstand heavy snowfall. The village offers a glimpse into rural Japanese life and is particularly magical in winter when illuminated at night or in spring when surrounded by cherry blossoms.

Regular buses connect Takayama and Shirakawa-go, with the journey taking about 50 minutes each way. It’s advisable to book bus tickets in advance, especially during peak tourist seasons.

Kamikochi

Nature lovers should consider a day trip to Kamikochi, a spectacular alpine valley in the Northern Japan Alps. Known for its pristine natural beauty, the area offers hiking trails suitable for various fitness levels, crystal-clear rivers, and stunning mountain views. Kamikochi is only accessible from mid-April to mid-November due to heavy winter snowfall.

Hirayu Onsen

After days of sightseeing, a visit to Hirayu Onsen provides a relaxing retreat. This hot spring resort in the Okuhida region is known for its therapeutic waters and outdoor baths with mountain views. Many facilities offer day-use options for visitors not staying overnight.

Hida Furukawa

Just 15 minutes by train from Takayama, Hida Furukawa offers a similar traditional atmosphere but with fewer tourists. The town is known for its picturesque canals filled with koi fish, well-preserved merchant houses, and sake breweries. Fans of the anime film “Your Name” (Kimi no Na wa) will recognize several locations that inspired scenes in the movie.

Takayama Festivals

Takayama is renowned for its biannual festivals, considered among Japan’s most beautiful. If you can plan your visit around these events, you’ll witness centuries-old traditions brought to life:

Spring Takayama Festival (Sanno Matsuri)

Held annually on April 14-15 at Hie Shrine, this festival celebrates the arrival of spring and prays for a bountiful harvest. The highlight is the procession of ornate festival floats (yatai) through the old town, accompanied by traditional music and marionette performances.

Autumn Takayama Festival (Hachiman Matsuri)

Taking place on October 9-10 at Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine, this festival gives thanks for the harvest. Like the spring festival, it features elaborate floats paraded through town, but the autumn event is often considered more spectacular, especially when illuminated by lanterns in the evening.

Both festivals showcase Takayama’s exceptional craftsmanship, with floats featuring intricate wood carvings, metal work, and mechanical puppets (karakuri). If you can’t visit during festival times, you can see some of the floats year-round at the Takayama Festival Floats Exhibition Hall (Takayama Matsuri Yatai Kaikan).

Practical Tips for Visiting Takayama

Money and Banking

While Japan is still largely a cash-based society, major hotels and restaurants in Takayama accept credit cards. However, smaller establishments, markets, and some attractions may only accept cash. ATMs are available at the post office and 7-Eleven stores. It’s advisable to carry sufficient cash, especially when exploring the old town.

Language

English signage is available at major tourist sites, but less common in smaller establishments. Learning a few basic Japanese phrases will enhance your experience. Many restaurants offer picture menus or food displays to help with ordering.

Etiquette

When visiting temples and shrines, observe proper etiquette by being quiet and respectful. Remove your shoes when indicated, typically when entering traditional buildings with tatami floors. When using onsen (hot springs), wash thoroughly before entering the bath and never wear swimwear in the communal baths.

Weather Preparedness

Takayama’s mountain location means weather can change quickly. Summers can be hot and humid, while winters are cold with frequent snowfall. Spring and autumn see pleasant temperatures but can be cool in the mornings and evenings. Pack layers and appropriate footwear for the season.

Internet Access

Free Wi-Fi is available at the tourist information center, some cafés, and hotels. For continuous connectivity, consider renting a pocket Wi-Fi device or purchasing a Japanese SIM card upon arrival in Japan.

Experience the Timeless Charm of Takayama

Takayama offers a rare glimpse into Japan’s past while providing modern comforts and authentic experiences that larger tourist destinations often lack. From wandering through perfectly preserved Edo-period streets to savoring the melt-in-your-mouth tenderness of Hida beef, this mountain city delivers unforgettable memories for travelers seeking Japan’s traditional heart.

Whether you’re watching master craftsmen demonstrate centuries-old techniques, soaking in a mountain-view onsen, or timing your visit to witness one of Japan’s most spectacular festivals, Takayama rewards visitors with genuine cultural immersion. As Japan continues to modernize at a rapid pace, places like Takayama become ever more precious—windows into a way of life that’s increasingly rare to find.

Don’t just add Takayama to your Japan itinerary—make it a highlight. This hidden gem in the Japanese Alps might just become your favorite stop in a country filled with wonders.