JP · Gifu Prefecture · 36.15°N 137.25°E

takayama

Old merchant streets, morning markets and Hida beef sushi up in the Japan Alps.

Best time
Spring and autumn, especially the Takayama Festival on 14–15 April and 9–10 October, when the town fills up. Winters are cold and snowy but pretty.
How long
1–2 days
Getting there
Fly to Nagoya (Chubu Centrair) or Osaka. From Nagoya, the Hida limited express takes about 2.5 hours through the mountains. Highway buses also run from Nagoya, Shinjuku in Tokyo and Kanazawa.
Save postcard
JP · Gifu Prefecturetakayama36.15°N 137.25°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Old merchant streets, morning markets and Hida beef sushi up in the Japan Alps.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingTakayamaJP, Gifu Prefecture
KLtakayama
≈ 5,172 km from KL, as the crow flies
Overlooking Takayama (North-East)

Photo: Nickaura (Nick Sevarg) · CC BY-SA 3.0

1 / 5

Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

A small mountain city in Gifu's Hida region with a well-kept old town of dark wooden merchant houses, sake breweries and craft shops. It makes a good base for the thatched farmhouses of Shirakawa-go.

Makan

  1. Hida beefRich local wagyu, sold as grilled skewers and as nigiri on a rice cracker along the old streets.Map ↗
  2. Takayama ramenThin, curly noodles in a light soy broth.Map ↗
  3. Mitarashi dangoTakayama's version is grilled and brushed with soy sauce, so it's savoury rather than sweet.Map ↗
  4. Hoba misoMiso, leeks and mushrooms grilled on a big dried magnolia leaf over a small burner.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. Sanmachi SujiThe old merchant streets, lined with sake breweries, snack stalls and craft shops.Map ↗
  2. Morning marketsTwo small markets, along the Miyagawa river and in front of Takayama Jinya, selling pickles, fruit and crafts.Map ↗
  3. Takayama JinyaAn old government office from the Edo period, with tatami rooms and a rice storehouse.Map ↗
  4. Hida Folk VillageAn open-air museum of old thatched farmhouses moved here from around the region.Map ↗
  5. Shirakawa-goA UNESCO-listed village of steep thatched farmhouses, about an hour away by bus.Map ↗

Good to know

  • Book Shirakawa-go buses ahead in peak seasons; they fill up.
  • Book rooms months ahead if you want to visit during the festival.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.