Enjoy exploring the fascinating ancient buildings, bustling markets and stunning mountain views of this city located high in the Japanese Alps.
Takayama is a unique city in Japan’s Gifu Prefecture. Although this region is known as Japan’s crossroads, Takayama is located high in the Japanese Alps and the city’s relative isolation has meant that its culture has developed over the past 300 years without much influence from the outside world. Find ancient temples, heritage farmsteads and castles in this mountainous region.
The Hida-Kokubunji Temple is Takayama’s oldest structure. Explore the three-story pagoda and see a 1,200-year-old ginkgo tree. Take a step back in time at Hida Folk Village. This open-air museum consists of nearly 30 farmhouses that span the centuries. The village displays artifacts from various historical periods and features traditional Japanese handicraft demonstrations.
For spectacular views, take a bus to the summit of Mount Norikura. This dormant volcano, the third tallest in Japan, features wide plains and deep crater lakes. The road up the mountain is often closed because of heavy snowfall. For more panoramic views of the Northern Alps, visit Shinhotaka Ropeway. This aerial lift takes you up Mount Hotakadake, one of Japan’s tallest mountains. Pamper yourself at the mountain’s spa resort.
Explore the ruins of Matsukura Castle. The grounds are home to several hundred cherry trees that explode into blossom during spring. Several events, such as the Sengoku Noroshi Festival, are held here during the blooming season. Takayama Jinya is a former government outpost. The main building has been immaculately restored and is now open to the public. Stop by the farmers’ market held outside every morning.
Takayama is renowned for its exceptionally talented carpenters. See their handiwork in palaces and temples in Kyoto and Nara. As you walk through the city, take note of the buildings’ immaculately crafted decorations. Handmade wooden souvenirs, available at the local market, are very popular keepsakes.
You can easily get to Takayama by bus or by train. The city’s train station connects with most of the region’s cities and towns. You can reach Tokyo by train in just over 4 hours.
Where to stay in Takayama
Hida Takayama Onsen
4.5/5Wonderful!(96 area reviews)
Hida Takayama Onsen is noteworthy for its historic sites, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Takayama Jinya and Takayama Yatai Kaikan.
River views, historic sites, and restaurants are just a few things travelers enjoy about Old Town. Check out Miyagawa Morning Market or Kusakabe Mingei-kan while you're exploring the area.
Located in Hida Takayama Onsen, this spa hotel is within a 15-minute walk of Takumikan Craft Museum and Takayama Jinya. Takayama Tourist Information Center and ...…Located in Hida Takayama Onsen, this spa hotel is within a 15-minute walk of Takumikan Craft Museum and Takayama Jinya. Takayama Tourist Information Center and ...WWW…
4.3/5Excellent! (383 reviews)
"Very near to Takayama train station and bus terminal. Walk about 15 min to Takayama old town or morning market. You can walk to supermarket just 5 min."…""Very near to Takayama train station and bus terminal. Walk about 15 min to Takayama old town or morning market. You can walk to supermarket just 5 min."WWW…"
Conveniently located near the ski slopes, this Hida Takayama Onsen hotel is within a 15-minute walk of Takumikan Craft Museum, Miyagawa Morning Market, and Takayama ...…Conveniently located near the ski slopes, this Hida Takayama Onsen hotel is within a 15-minute walk of Takumikan Craft Museum, Miyagawa Morning Market, and Takayama ...WWW…
4.3/5Excellent! (1,014 reviews)
"A quaint typical Japanese place to stay in. Good stay but package with meals are pretty expensive than one without any meals"…""A quaint typical Japanese place to stay in. Good stay but package with meals are pretty expensive than one without any meals"WWW…"
Located in Hida Takayama Onsen, this hotel is within 1 mi (2 km) of Takayama Jinya, Kusakabe Mingei-kan, and Takayama Yatai Kaikan. Hida Minzoku Mura Folk Village ...…Located in Hida Takayama Onsen, this hotel is within 1 mi (2 km) of Takayama Jinya, Kusakabe Mingei-kan, and Takayama Yatai Kaikan. Hida Minzoku Mura Folk Village ...WWW…
4.6/5Wonderful! (641 reviews)
"Clean room at a convenient location. Within walking distance to all the places of interest"…""Clean room at a convenient location. Within walking distance to all the places of interest"WWW…"
Admire the detailed carvings, metalwork and puppets of the floats housed in this exhibition hall. Learn why the floats were originally decorated in this way.
You can study the exhibits at Hida-no-Sato, a museum with a story of its own, during your travels to Takayama. Discover the hot springs in this culturally-rich area.
Step back in time and learn more about local history with a stop at Sanmachi-suji in Takayama. Find some time to visit the temples or monuments in this quaint area.
Indulge in a day of traditional Japanese landscapes in Gifu prefecture's standout attractions Hida Takayama and Shirakawa-go. Look forward to quaint old historic streets, a unique village, stunning mountain landscapes and sampling local delicacies.
Shirakawa-go, Kenrokuen & Osaka 1 Way tour (Takayama Dept)
￥14,000
Enjoy Shirakawa-go, Kenrokuen Garden while heading to Osaka from Takayama, all in one day! Start your day by strolling around the Takayama Morning Market until departure time (9:25).Explore what the market has to offer and indulge in the Japanese traditional snacks and goods available.
3-Day Shoryudo Highway Bus Ticket with Airport Transfer
￥8,500
Scope out shops, temples, and museums in bustling Nagoya, explore seaside sights in Toyama, and admire charming grass-roofed houses in the village of Shirakawa-go. Dive into the heart of Japan with this 3-day bus pass with convenient transfers from Chubu Centrair and Komatsu airports.
Mt. Fuji, Lake suwa & Tokyo 1 Way tour (Takayama Dept)
￥14,000
Going to Tokyo from Takayama has never been this pleasant before! The bus will pick you up at Takayama Station and take you on a day trip to a Japanese Sake Brewery, Lake suwa, Lake Kawaguchi, and Mount Fuji while heading to Tokyo.
Gujo Hachiman and Takayama are hard to reach by train: enjoy the landscapes of Central Japan's Alps by riding our high-speed bus from Nagoya and get to your desired location in a easy, comfortable way!
Itinerary This is a typical itinerary for this product Pass By: UMESEKO TOUR, 1-65 Oshinmachi, Takayama 506-0851 Gifu Prefecture This tour is the best option for those who want to know more about sake, especially how to make it.
