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Home - Travel - Sightseeing Guide - Chubu - Takayama
Old Town	# 1   of 7 sights in Takayama

Takayama's old town has been beautifully preserved, with many buildings and whole streets of houses dating from the Edo Period (1600-1868), when the city thrived as a wealthy town of merchants. The southern half of the old town, especially the Sannomachi Street, survives in a particularly pretty state with many old homes, shops, coffee houses and sake breweries, some of which have been in business for centuries. A few old private homes in the old town have been converted into museums and are accessible to the public. They exhibit local crafts and arts and provide a glimpse behind the facade into the former living quarters of the local merchants. A pleasant alternative to exploring Takayama's old town on foot is getting pulled through the streets on a rickshaw. A 30 minute tour for two persons costs around 6000 Yen. Shorter and longer courses are also available. Southern Area: Takayama Jinya (more details) Daily 8:45 to 17:00 (to 16:30 from November through February). Admission: 420 yen. A beautiful traditional Japanese style building, the Takayama Jinya used to serve as Takayama's government office during the Edo Period, when the city stood under direct control of the shogun due to its valuable timber resources. Old Sake Breweries Shops in the old town are typically open from around 9:00 to around 17:00. Sake is one of Takayama's local specialties. Several old sake breweries can be found in Takayama's old town, recognized by sugidama (balls made of cedar branches) hung over their entrances. Small samples of sake can be purchased at some breweries. Fujii Art Gallery Daily 9:00 to 17:00. Admission: 700 yen. The Fujii Art Gallery (Fujii Bijutsu Mingeikan), also known as Fujii Folk Craft Museum, is housed in an old building with a beautiful gate along Sannomachi Street. The small museum exhibits various household items and art objects. Hida Minzoku Kokokan Daily 8:30 to 17:30 (9:00 to 16:30 from November through March). Admission: 500 yen. Also known as the Hida Archeology Museum, the Minzoku Kokokan is one of the old buildings along Sannomachi Street. Its architecture, including an old well in the courtyard, have barely changed since the Edo Period. Hirata Kinenkan 9:00 to 17:00 (9:00 to 16:30 from December through February). Closed on Mondays and December 29-31. Admission: 300 yen. The Hirata Kinenkan (Hirata Folk Art Museum) is a former merchant home open to the public. The former residence of a candle maker, the Hirata Kinenkan exhibits various household items and historical documents. Museum of Local History Daily 8:30 to 17:00, except on Mondays. Admission: 300 yen. The Museum of Local History (Takayamashi Kyodokan) is an interesting museum about the history and culture of Takayama City. It is housed in an old building in the southern part of the old town. Northern Area: Hachiman Shrine Free admission. Sakurayama Hachiman Shrine (Sakurayama Hachimangu) stands in the northeastern area of Takayama's old town. The shrine's festival, the celebrated Takayama Autumn Festival, is held annually on October 9-10. Takayama Yatai Kaikan (more details) Daily 8:30 to 17:00 (9:00 to 16:30 from December through February). Admission: 820 yen. Located just next to Hachiman Shrine, the Takayama Yatai Kaikan (festival float exhibition hall) exhibits four of the Autumn Festival's eleven festival floats. Audio sets with English explanations are available. Shishi Kaikan Daily 8:30 to 17:30 (9:00 to 17:00 from mid October to mid April). Admission: 600 yen. Also located in the precincts of Hachiman Shrine, the Shishi Kaikan (Lion Dance Ceremony Exhibition Hall) displays lion masks and other festival related items, including mechanical dolls (karakuri ningyo) which get mounted onto festival floats. Kusakabe Heritage House Daily 9:00 to 16:30 (to 16:00 from December through February). Admission: 500 yen. Closed on Tuesdays from December through February. The Kusakabe Heritage House (Kusakabe Mingeikan) is one of the oldest of several common homes in Takayama, that are open to the public. Its former residents, the Kusakabe family, used to be successful merchants, active in the money lending business. Yoshijima Heritage House Daily 9:00 to 17:00 (to 16:30 from December through February). Admission: 500 yen. Closed on Tuesdays from December through February. Standing right next to the Kusakabe Heritage House (see above), the Yoshijima Heritage House (Yoshijima-ke) is the former residence of the Yoshijima family, and is also open to the public. The building used to serve as a residence and sake brewery. Takayama Morning Markets (more details) Daily from around 6:00 (7:00 in winter) to noon. Two morning markets (asaichi) are held in Takayama on a daily basis, one in front of the Takayama Jinya and one along Miyagawa River. Most stands sell local crafts and farm products such as vegetables, pickles and flowers.

How to get there

Takayama's old town can be reached in a 10 minute walk from the station. How to get to and around Takayama

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Popularity of Old Town: Users who have been to Takayama: 372 Users who have been to Old Town: 273 1st of 7 most visited sights in Takayama. 97th of 589 most visited sights nationwide. Have you been to Old Town? No - I have not been there yetYes - no ratingYes - highly recommendedYes - recommendedYes - mildly interestingYes - nothing specialYes - not recommended Ratings for Old Town: japan-guide.com Rating:   best of Japan   User Rating (by 188 users): 87/100   recommended User Feedback We strive to keep japan-guide.com up-to-date and accurate, and are always looking for ways to improve the user experience. If you have any updates, suggestions, corrections or opinions, please let us know:

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Takayama and Shirakawa-go Tours Various tours and travel packages for Takayama and surroundings. Atlas Japan Tour Customized tours emphasizing cultural experiences and communication to find real Japan. Education and exchange program available.