Suggested Takayama Full Day Walk

The following is a full-day model course for average-paced travelers that covers the major attractions in the town center of Takayama on foot over about seven kilometers.

See full screen itinerary map

Start

Start at Takayama Station

Walk from the station to Takayama Jinya

15 minutes

Takayama Jinya

Historically important building 40 minutes

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.

Walk over to Sanmachi Suji

5 minutes

Sanmachi Suji

Central street of Takayama's old town 30-90 minutes

The epicenter of Takayama's old town, this street boasts numerous beautifully preserved houses dating from the Edo Period. The buildings today contain a range of attractions including cafes, shops and sake breweries.

Walk north to the Kusakabe Heritage House

10 minutes

Kusakabe Heritage House

Heritage House 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.

Walk over to Takayama Hachiman Shrine

5 minutes

Hachiman Shrine

Shrine that hosts Takayama's autumn festival 30 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.

Walk to the beginning of the Higashiyama Walking Course

15 minutes

Higashiyama Walking Course

Hiking trail in the outskirts of town 120 minutes

A 3.5 kilometer walk through the hills on the outskirts of Takayama's town center, this route passes various shrines and temples and the ruins of the city's former castle.

Finish

Matsuri Yatai Kaikan

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

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.