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. The shops in the area are typically open daily from 9:00 to 17:00.
A rickshaw ride through the streets of the old town
Several homes in the old town open their doors to the public. They provide a glimpse behind the facade into the former living quarters of the local merchants and exhibit traditional household goods and local arts and crafts.
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 costs around 7000 yen. Shorter and longer courses are also available.
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
Hours: Typically 9:00 to 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
Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 Closed: No closing days Admission: 700 yen Typical Visit Duration: 20-30 minutes
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.
Takayama Museum of History and Art
Hours: 9:00 to 19:00 (garden 7:00 to 21:00) Closed: No closing days Admission: Free Typical Visit Duration: 45 minutes
The Museum of Local History (Takayama Hakubutsukan) is an interesting museum about the history and culture of Takayama City. It is housed in an old, restored building.
Takayama Showa Museum
Hours: 9:00 to 18:00 Closed: No closing days Admission: 800 yen Typical Visit Duration: 45-60 minutes
A spacious museum dedicated to all things from the Japanese Showa Period (1926-1989), particularly the 1950s. A recreated town allows visitors to walk through nostalgic displays of contemporary life including houses and restaurants. There are also some interactive exhibits including the chance to play on retro video games consoles.
Northern Area
Hachiman Shrine
Hours: Always open Closed: No closing days Admission: Free Typical Visit Duration: 10 minutes
Sakurayama Hachiman Shrine (Sakurayama Hachimangu) stands in the northeastern area of Takayama's old town. The shrine's festival, the Takayama Autumn Festival, is celebrated annually on October 9-10.
Located just next to Hachiman Shrine, the Takayama Yatai Kaikan (festival float exhibition hall) exhibits four of the Autumn Festival's eleven festival floats. English audio guides are available.
Karakuri Museum
Hours: 9:05 to 16:25 (around one show every 30 minutes) Closed: Irregular closing days during winter Admission: 600 yen Typical Visit Duration: 40 minutes
Also located at Hachiman Shrine, the Karakuri Museum (mechanical doll museum) displays mechanical dolls (karakuri ningyo) which get mounted onto festival floats. The museum also shows over 200 shishimai (lion dance) masks from around Japan.
Kusakabe Heritage House•
Hours: 9:00 to 16:30 (until 16:00 from Dec to Feb, until 15:00 from 12/29 to 1/3) Closed: Tuesdays from December to February, irregular closures in January Admission: 500 yen Typical Visit Duration: 30 minutes
The Kusakabe Heritage House (Kusakabe Mingeikan) is one of Takayama's oldest merchant homes open to the public. Its former residents, the Kusakabe family, used to be successful money lenders.
Yoshijima Heritage House•
Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 (until 16:30 from December to February) Closed: Tuesdays from December to February Admission: 500 yen Typical Visit Duration: 30 minutes
Standing right next to the Kusakabe Heritage House is the Yoshijima Heritage House (Yoshijima-ke), the former residence of the Yoshijima family. Also open to the public, the building used to serve as a residence and sake brewery.
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.
Getting there and around
Takayama's old town can be reached in a ten minute walk from Takayama Station.
Featuring free WiFi, Hostel Fish in a River offers an accommodation set in a renovated traditional Japanese-style house. The property is situated in a quiet neighbourhood in Takayama, an 8-minute walk from JR Takayama Station. Hida Minzoku Mura Folk Village is 2 km away. All rooms have air conditioning, and some rooms feature tatami (woven-straw) flooring and Japanese futon bedding. You will find a shared kitchen with a microwave, toaster and induction cookers. There are a shared living and dining space and a small garden at the property, and shared shower rooms have shampoo, body soap and a hairdryer. Guests can enjoy complimentary coffee, black tea and green tea. Towels and laundry facilities are available at an additional charge. Private paid parking space for 1 vehicle is available on site upon prior reservation. There are a convenience store and supermarket within a 5-minute walk from the property. Yoshijima Heritage House and Fujii Folk Museum are 15 minutes on foot from Hostel Fish in a River.
Set within 3.2 km of Hida Minzoku Mura Folk Village and 300 metres of Fuji Folk Museum, ƒJƒ~ƒCƒ`ƒmƒ}ƒ` ƒoƒbƒNƒpƒbƒJ[ƒY offers rooms with air conditioning and a shared bathroom in Takayama. The property is around less than 1 km from Takayama Festival Float Exhibition Hall, a 1-minute walk from Takayama Showa-kan Museum and 300 metres from Miyagawa Morning Market. The accommodation features a shared kitchen and free WiFi throughout the property. Popular points of interest near the guest house include Yoshijima Heritage House, Lion Dance Ceremony Exhibition Hall and Sakurayama Hachiman Shrine. The nearest airport is Toyama Airport, 57 km from ƒJƒ~ƒCƒ`ƒmƒ}ƒ` ƒoƒbƒNƒpƒbƒJ[ƒY.
Renovated in 2016, Auberge Hidanomori is situated in quiet hills, a 10-minute shuttle ride from JR Takayama Station. The property offers free WiFi access in rooms and in public areas including the shared TV lounge and the terrace. Each room has air-conditioning and heating facilities at Hidanomori Auberge. Bathrooms and toilets are shared. Free toiletries are provided. Guests here can enjoy outdoor activities like hiking or walking through the on-site garden, or just simply unwind at the shared lounge with some tea. Free on-site parking is also available. Breakfast is served in the dining hall starting at 07:30 daily. Freshly baked bread, salad, yogurt, tea and coffee are served, while Italian cuisine is served for dinner. Meals require advance reservations. From Auberge Hidanomori, Hida Minzoku Mura Folk Village and Takayama Jinya are within a 10-minute drive.
Nestled between untouched nature in the tranquil Northern Alps area, Hidaji offers spacious Japanese-style accommodation with traditional architecture. Guests can also request for massages and relax in the public hot-spring baths. JR Takayama Station is a 60-minute bus ride away. The air-conditioned rooms have tatami (woven-straw) floors and Japanese futon bedding. Each has a heated Kotasu table, a TV, a fridge and an electric kettle with green tea bags. All rooms come with an en suite bathroom and Yukata robes are provided for all guests. Free Wi-Fi is available in the public areas and you can look out into the traditional garden. Local gifts can be purchased at the souvenir shop. A safety deposit box and luggage storage is provided at the front desk. Traditional multi-course meals featuring Hida beef and local vegetables are served at the dining room. Fukuchi Onsen Bus Stop is a minute's walk from the property, while a free shuttle is available from Fukuchi Onsenguchi Bus Stop. Hidaji is a 25-minute drive from Shinhodaka Ropeway and a 40-minute drive from Kamikochi. Norikura is a 40-minute drive away.
Located just a 1-minute walk from popular Miyagawa Morning Market in the heart of Takayama, Sumiyoshi Ryokan offers homely Japanese-style accommodation in the historic townhouse building. Free WiFi is available at the lobby and guestrooms. This hotel was selected as one of the Top 25 B&Bs and Inns in Japan by TripAdvisor's Travelers' Choice Award 2015. The inn is a 12-minute walk from JR Takayama Station. Takayama Jinya, an old government building, is a 7-minute walk away, and the streets full of old merchantsf houses can be reached within a 10-minute walk from the property. Rooms are fitted with tatami (woven-straw) flooring and traditional futon bedding. A low table and a TV with satellite channels are provided. Guests can relax in the room with free green tea. Ryokan Sumiyoshi has a spacious public baths and a small Japanese garden. There are many antiques like pots and samurai armours displayed at the lobby. Carefully prepared Japanese multi-course dinner, including Hida Beef sukiyaki dish, can be enjoyed at the guest room. Guests can choose to have either Japanese or Western breakfast to satisfy their appetite in the morning.
Ideally situated in the Hida Takayama Onsen district of Takayama, eph TAKAYAMA is situated 2.6 km from Hida Minzoku Mura Folk Village, 800 metres from Fuji Folk Museum and 1.1 km from Yoshijima Heritage House. With a restaurant, the 4-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a private bathroom. The accommodation features a 24-hour front desk, and luggage storage for guests. All rooms at the hotel are fitted with a seating area and a flat-screen TV. The units will provide guests with a fridge. Guests at eph TAKAYAMA can enjoy a buffet breakfast. Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Lion Dance Ceremony Exhibition Hall, Sakurayama Hachiman Shrine and Takayama Festival Float Exhibition Hall. The nearest airport is Toyama Airport, 57 km from eph TAKAYAMA.
Renovated in 2015, Iori Stay is nestled in Takayama. This traditional Japanese-style townhouse was created in collaboration with local artists and boasts designs with both modern and traditional Japanese influence. Guests will have the entire property to themselves during their stay. Free pick-up from JR Takayama Station is available upon request. All units are entirely non-smoking and have a kitchen equipped with a microwave and fridge. A stove-top and kettle are also available.There is a private bathroom with slippers in every unit. Towels are provided. A traditional Japanese-style breakfast is served on site. Vegan and vegetarian meals are available upon request.
Yamakyu features classic Japanese-style accommodations with free Wi-Fi. Indoor and outdoor public baths are available for guests to relax in. JR Takayama Train Station is a 20-minute walk away and a free shuttle service is provided from the station. The air-conditioned rooms feature tatami (woven-straw) floors and Japanese futon bedding. A TV, yukata robes, safety box, towels and green tea bags are provided. Includes a private toilet but bathrooms are shared. Guests can enjoy the beautiful Japanese garden or request for relaxing massages. There are 1 computers at the lobby that guests can use. Complimentary coffee and a computer with free internet access are available as well. Local products can be purchased at the souvenir shop. There is a washing machine on site that guests can use for an additional fee. A traditional multi-course meal is served for dinner and a Japanese set menu is available for breakfast. All meals are served at the dining room. Yamakyu Inn is a 5-minute walk from Old Town, Takayama Jinya and the morning market. Hida No Sato Folk Village is a 20-minute bus ride away.
Awarded by TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice in 2015, Wanosato offers luxurious Japanese-style ryokan stay in a 160-year-old quaint Gassho-zukuri thatched-roof house, nestled in the tranquil woods. It features a bedrock and a cypress public hot spring bath, where guests can unwind with mountain views. The property is a 20-minute complimentary shuttle ride from JR Takayama Station. Free WiFi is available in the lobby area. Fitted with a relaxing ambience, tatami (woven-straw) flooring and futon bedding, each room comes with a flat-screen TV and a fridge. The private bathroom has a bathtub, free toiletries and a hairdryer. All rooms are smoking rooms and feature a view of the nearby river. Wanosato Ryokan offers a garden and free on-site parking. The free pick-up service from the Takayama Station requires a reservation at least 1 day in advance. A Japanese breakfast and dinner feature a variety of beautifully presented dishes, prepared from seasonal produce. Meals are served at the dining area. The ryokan is a 70-mintue drive to Shirakawago Village, while Takayama's Old Town and its morning market is a 25-minute drive away. Takayama expressway exit is a 20-minute drive from the property.
Just a 2-minute walk from Takayama Station, Oyado Koto No Yume offers Japanese-style rooms with a colourful touch. The hotel features hot-spring baths, a restaurant serving breakfast and free WiFi throughout the property. This ryokan is introduced in Michelin Green Guide Japan. Rooms feature tatami-mat flooring and traditional futon bedding. They are equipped with a 40-inch flat-screen TV, fridge, coffee maker and green tea set. Attached bathrooms come with a shower, bathtub and toiletries. Japanese-style hotel Koto No Yume Oyado is only a 2-minute walk from Kokubunji Temple. The Miyagawa Morning Market and the historical Old Private Houses are less than a 10-minute stroll away. Guests at Koto No Yume Hotel can soak in an indoor or outdoor hot-spring bath, or in a semi-outdoor hot tub for private use. Massages are available. In addition, staff are readily available to help guests put on Japanese yukata robes. A Western or Japanese breakfast is available at Oyado Koto No Yume. Shirakawago can be accessed within a 50-minute bus ride; the bus terminal is located a 2-minute walk from the property.
