Takayama Travel Guide

 
by arianne_1504
 
  •   Takayama
    by arianne_1504
  • Takayama
      Takayama
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  • 2 of the Yatai floats
      2 of the Yatai floats
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    by Maxiediva
  •   Takayama
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Pro

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  Leisurely pace, clean fresh air and friendly people 


Con

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  Can't think of any 


In a nutshell

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  Definitely worth the 2+ hr train trip from Nagoya 

 

Explore Takayama

Things to Do  

Shirakawa-go

Shirakawa-go, Takayama

 bebejepang Says:  Shirakawa-go (Shirakawa village) is a secluded snowy mountain village retains the historic landscape with some 150 traditional vernacular farmhouse-style houses called Gassho-zukuri. The Gassho-zukuri style house is 18 m length and 10 m. width.Ogimachi is the largest village... 

Free Foot Spa

Free Foot Spa, Takayama

 tigerjapan Says:  At the Takayama Green Hotel complex they have a free foot bath that uses the hot onsen water that sprang from a spring when the hotel was being constructed. The water has medicinal benefits and is very relaxing after a day of sight-seeing.Also, in the doors to the rear of... 

Hida Folk Village (Hida no Sato)

Hida Folk Village (Hida no Sato), Takayama

 GrumpyDiver Says:  This site has collected and restored about 30 farmhouses and other buildings in a very pictureque setting in the hills (mountains) about Takayama.The Hida region, due to its location was relatively islolated from the rest of Japan and these old buildings, which are 100 to... 

Try Hida Beef

Try Hida Beef, Takayama

 GrumpyDiver Says:  Very similar to the famous Kobe beef, Hida beef is quite similar in texture and taste, but is a bit less expensive. If you are intersted in trying it, there are a number of places around Takayama that serve it.We tried it traditional BBQ style and with the various dipping... 

Old Private Houses

Old Private Houses, Takayama

 arianne_1504 Says:  The Old Private Houses are part of the Nationally Recognized Important Historical Building Preservation Area. The Town Village still stands on the east side of the Miyagawa River flowing through Takayama, and in the middle of it is Sanmachi, where Edo period houses remain.... 

Hida No Sato (Hida Folk Village)

Hida No Sato (Hida Folk Village), Takayama

 arianne_1504 Says:  An approximately 99,000 square meter site of sloped- and thatched-roof houses, this model of a folk village (including National Cultural Treasures) has over 30 buildings, recreating Hida’s historical look. In each building, everyday articles (which we now regard as folk art)... 

Hotels  

Hotel Hotaka

 1 Review and 1 Opinions  You can book your room alone in the off-seasons in this hotel, which has outside and inside spas.... 

Best Western Hotel Takayama

 1 Review and 43 Opinions  Great hotel, lovely room, beautiful mountain spring water, comfy bed. Dinner in the hotel restaurant... 

Restaurants  

Shou: A Shou-in

Shou: A Shou-in, Takayama

 arianne_1504 Says:  This restaurant was located on the ground floor of the Best Western Hotel. Given that it was so freezing cold on the night of my birthday, we just didn't want to leave the building - so it was just as well we found this place. It was very quiet, but it was just perfect and... 

Cafe Fiore: Cosy Cafe Fiore

Cafe Fiore: Cosy Cafe Fiore, Takayama

 arianne_1504 Says:  This gorgeous little french cafe has the most devine croque monsier's, cooked to perfection, golden brown and tasty as. Nothing fancy, but with a glass of wine, this is the perfect way to sit out a chilly day in Takayama. Croque Monsieur 

"If" Coffee Shop: If..

"If" Coffee Shop: If.., Takayama

 arianne_1504 Says:  if" coffee shop is one of the oldest coffee shops and is located in the center of Takayama. An English style cafe, serving up coffees, cakes and sandwiches - it's the perfect place to come for a chat, a bite of lunch or a hot cocoa. Open 7.30am to 4.30pm. Closed Thursdays... 

Pane e Vino Bar Italiano: Plenty of Vino in Takayama

Pane e Vino Bar Italiano: Plenty of Vino in Takayama, Takayama

 arianne_1504 Says:  A nice homely little Italian cafe in the heart of Takayama. Very friendly staff and good service.Closed Mondays. Open from 10am til 9.30pm all other days. Plain old hida spaghetti with a glass of red. 

Transportation  

Takayama on Two Legs

Takayama on Two Legs, Takayama

 arianne_1504 Says:  You shouldn't need to use anything other than your legs to get around Takayama as the town itself is quite small. However, for the few tourist attractions that are outside the town limits - try the Takayama City Bus, which you can catch from Takayama Station. 

Shin-Hotaka ropeway

Shin-Hotaka ropeway, Takayama

 tiaomu Says:  Shin-Hotaka ropeway is located in Shin-Hotaka Onsen. The tramway give you the station 2156 meters high, where you can go to the mountain guest house over 2300 meters high by foot. And there is a outside spa around the station over 1300 meters high. I am sorry that when I... 

Shopping  

Alcohol, pottery, cloth souvenirs

Alcohol, pottery, cloth souvenirs, Takayama

 akikonomu Says:  Good buys from Takayama town include Hoba Miso packages, Hida sake, Shirakawa green tea and handmade cloth souvenirs. And of course, Sarubobos (the gold ones are totally eccentric).The old shophouse district, the main shopping street cutting across town (perpendicular to the... 

Shopping in Takayama

Shopping in Takayama, Takayama

 Pixiekatten Says:  Takayama is the souvenir hunter's paradise. It's famous for toys, furniture, and other woodcraft, but Takayama lacquerware, papercraft and pottery are also well-known throughout Japan and make great gifts. Good spots and what to buy:Sannomachi area: Sake from one of the... 

Local Customs  

Sarubobo Dolls

Sarubobo Dolls, Takayama

 arianne_1504 Says:  You will see the faceless Sarubobo Doll EVERYWHERE in Takayama, as it is a special product of Hida Takayama. These dolls are a kind of charm, which Grandmothers make for grandchildren as dolls, and for daughters for good marriage, good child, and being a well-rounded couple.... 

RICE FIELDS

RICE FIELDS, Takayama

 Pixiekatten Says:  Before coming to Takayama all ricefields I had seen had been while swooshing past them seated on Shinkansen. But here I got the chance to have a closer look while walking out of town on my way to the Mahikari World Shrine and Hida Folk Village. The afternoon sun was... 

What to Pack  

Freezing your Toes off in Takayama

Freezing your Toes off in Takayama, Takayama

 arianne_1504 Says:   Though I went in mid April (supposedly Spring and yes apparently unseasonally cold), it snowed in town (again apparently rare for the time of year), I was a little unprepared and would suggest taking the following - beanie, gloves, scarf, thick jacket and jumper, thick... 

Off The Beaten Path  

Mahikari Main World Shrine

Mahikari Main World Shrine, Takayama

 Pixiekatten Says:  From the village you will see the sweeping golden roof of Shukyo Mahikari cult’s main World Shrine. After visiting the shrine I was told it is a Doomsday cult however this was not anything I noticed when visiting the shrine. It is free to visit and walk the grounds of the... 

The 2 statues by Miyagawa

The 2 statues by Miyagawa, Takayama

 Pixiekatten Says:  These two statues are found on the bridge crossing Miyagawa.The one with long arms is called: "Tenaga zuchi zou" and the one with long legs is called: "Ashinaga zuchi zou". The characters are supposedly from some Japanese old tale.Havent been able to find any other... 

Favorites  

Grocery shopping

Grocery shopping, Takayama

 Pixiekatten Says:  If you stay in a hostel and are on a budget and don't want to spend too much money on eating out then there is a huge place for grocery shopping not far from Takayama Station. The Tourist Info Booth outside the station got a good map and can give you directions. But it is... 

The Place

Plan a Takayama vacation with reviews, tips and photos posted by real travelers and Takayama locals

Experience Takayama
  •   172 Tips and Reviews
  •  392 Photos
  •  1 Videos
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The People

 
Our Members Say
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 In the mornings older women set up stalls along the riverbank selling local products. I'd say it's more of a curiosity for tourists to walk by and look at,... 

 

Questions and Answers

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Q:  Hi Guys, May I check with you whether the highway buses have toilet onboard? If not, how often do they stop? I am considering... 

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A: Sorry, I can't remember specifically. However, I do remember stopping at Ogimachi halfway between Takayama and Kanazawa, and most people got out to use the toilet and... 

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Top Takayama Writers

1

Historic Castle Town of Takayama

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 Takayama is a beautiful town nestled in the mountains of Gifu prefecture. Takayama has retained a traditional feel to it like very few other Japanese cities. For visitors after a traditional view... 

2

TAKAYAMA - traditional village in the clouds

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 I've got some interesting experiences in Takayama. I'd love to share with you the 13 tips I've written, the 28 photos uploaded, and 0 travelogues I've created. 

3

Taking it slow in Takayama

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 As we pulled up into Takayama from our train, there is a sense of rejuvenation, peace and serenity that envelopes us. Situated in the Japan Alps, Takayama oozes tranquility, freshness and allows you... 

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TAKAYAMA THE CITY OF THE BEST 3 MATSURI IN JAPAN

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 Rustic Takayama, set in the mountains of the Gifu region, is a part of Japan that simply shouldn't be missed. The place is small enough to get acquainted with without too much guidance. Some of the... 

5

Takayama

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  Takayama is a city where tourism is big. In 2001 we arrived in a weekend and busses full of Japanese tourists drove through the city. All this tourists went to the ´old streets´ in town center. The... 

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