Takayama Travel Guide

  Shirakawa-go
by robertbaum
 
  • Shirakawa-go
      Shirakawa-go
    by robertbaum
  • Shirakawa-go
      Shirakawa-go
    by robertbaum
  • The Five Waterwheels of Shokawa
      The Five Waterwheels of Shokawa
    by robertbaum
  • Shirakawa-go
      Shirakawa-go
    by robertbaum
  •   Takayama
    by arianne_1504
 

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  

The Five Waterwheels of Shokawa

The Five Waterwheels of Shokawa, Takayama

 robertbaum Says:  Japanese: 荘川の五連水車 (Shōkawa no 5-ren suisha)It's a quite impressive sight with the largest waterwheel having a diameter of 13m.waterwheel no.1 diametre 13m, width 1.3m, capacity 20-60 l waterwaterwheel no.2 diametre 4.5m,... 

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  

Best Western Hotel Takayama

 1 Review and 82 Opinions  Great hotel, lovely room, beautiful mountain spring water, comfy bed. Dinner in the hotel restaurant... 

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.... 

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... 

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
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arianne_1504 405 reviews
Takayama on my birthday - 15th April 2010
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Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: 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 socks (I wore three pairs of thin ones and could still feel the cold coming through my shoes). I would probably recommend tights or leggings underneath your jeans. I'm not kidding it was bloody freezing!! Days were still clear though - so sunglasses are recommended. Though the snow had melted by about 9am, it was still extremely cold during the day, and because I hadn't quite the appropriate clothing, it was probably a little less enjoyable than it could have been. Thank god for all those cosy little cafes in Takayama selling hot cocoa!!

Written Jun 26, 2010

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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... 

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Map of Takayama