Best things to do in Takayama Japan

What are the must see attractions in Takayama? Is Takayama worth visiting? What are the best things you can do in this small town within Gifu Prefecture? What is famous in Takayama? Let me share what are the Top things you can do in this town in the mountainous area of Japan. After reading this post, it will definitely help you decide whether Takayama is worth your time.

1. Takayama Old Town

The streets in Sanmachi Suji is the TOP attractions in Takayama. Almost every travellers will stop here without a doubt. The preserved old town is the biggest in Japan outside of Kyoto. There are lines of streets with beautifully preserved architecture of the old wooden merchant houses of the Edo era. The streets line with restaurants, cafes, snack eateries, souvenir shops, breweries etc which are totally worth your time to just window shop or take a bite. A stroll here is a definite must do and try to avoid going there in the afternoon as there will be lots of tourists wandering around.

2. Beef Skewers/Hida Beef/Beef Sushi

The beef skewer is a must try street food in Takayama. It is absolutely tasty and cheap till you can keep eating it if you enjoy beef. We had snapped up so many sticks of beef that we lost counting. Takayama is famous for its Hida Beef which is beef from black-haired cattle breed specifically in Takayama. It has different grading and it is offered in a lot of restaurants in this town. Of course, it is also much more expensive than the beef skewers. Do not hesitate to try these if you love beef and bring along enough cash to sample them. Another good way to go is to try a food and sake tasting tour during the day.

3. Half Day Trip To Shirakawa-go

This is a must do attraction if you are in Takayama. Shirakawa-go is a UNESCO World Heritage site that showcasing gassho-zukuri style farmhouses (look like hands in prayer). Ogimachi is the largest village and the main attraction. It is easily reachable from Takayama by bus in less than 1 hour, perfect for a half day tour. During winter, the farmhouses are embanked with white icy snow. The scenery is so picturesque that you just couldn’t stop taking photos and later show off to the others. Some of the farmhouses are opened for public viewing with a fee. Be sure to visit at least one of them to get the feel of living in such farmhouse. If you have the time and money to spare, try staying overnight in one of the farmhouses.

4. Takayama Jinya

Best things to do in Takayama - Takayama Jinya

An important historical landmark in Takayama which used to be the local government office. But now, it has turned into a museum and open to public for viewing. The special things about this building are the 49 tatami mats in the Conference Room, a Japanese garden, a rice storehouse and an interrogation room.

5. Morning Markets

There are 2 morning markets in this small town and both it’s about 10 minutes walk from each other. Depends on where is your hotel location, you can choose to visit the market that is nearer to you or if time permits you can visit both the Miyagawa Market and Jinya-Mae Market in the morning. They are open daily and usually you get to see fresh produce being sold there.

6. Sake Tasting

Anyone who care to get a taste of sake, Takayama is a good place to go. There are some shops that offer a good variety of sake for tasting with a fee. You get to sample a few sake in the shop and you can buy the bottle of sake if you like it. If you have no idea which sake shop to go, join a food and sake tour would be the perfect solution for you. Immerse into the Japanese culture!

7. Onsen Experience

Some of the hotels/ryokan in this small town offer onsen bathing. Whether you are a newbie or experienced onsen patron, this is one the places you could do onsen especially during winter time!

8. Hida Folk Village

There is a smaller scale of the gassho-zukuri style farmhouses here in Takayama which is 30 minutes walk or 10 minutes by bus from Takayama Station. These farmhouses are originated from Shirakawa-go and moved to this open-air museum for exhibition. This is a good alternative if your schedule does not allow you to go to Shirakawa-go.

9. Takayama Festival

Every April and October, Takayama will held festivals to pray for good harvest and giving thanks after crops are harvested. During these festivals, tall floats (yatai) are wheeled out onto the streets by people. Spectators can line the streets in the Takayama Old Town and watch the decorative floats when they pass-by. If you can plan your travel during those time, you can experience the festive mood and immerse into the Japanese culture. However, those are the peak periods in Takayama so hotel rooms may be fully booked. So be sure to make hotel reservations a few months in advance to avoid disappointment.

10. Yatai Kaikan

This is the place to exhibit the tall decorative floats showcase during the Takayama Festival held in April and October every year. If you miss the opportunity to visit Takayama during the festivals, you still get to see some of the floats in this hall. Here you can marvel at the craftsmanship of the elaborated floats. The Yatai Kaikan is located at the north side of Takayama and it is about 20 minutes walk from Takayama Station.

Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass Or Whole Japan Rail Pass

If you are convinced to pay a visit to Takayama, you can get consider getting a 5-day Takayama-Hokuriku Area JR Pass. This pass provides you with 5 days of unlimited travel in Kanazawa, Toyama, Nagoya, Osaka, Takayama and Shirakawa-go. You can even have access to other destinations with this pass, such as Gero Onsen, Kaga Onsen, and Fukui. You can also travel to Takayama if you have a Whole Japan Rail Pass (either 7-day, 14-day or 21-day).