Japan’s most beautiful Old Town - Takayama (高山)
Located deep within the mountains of Central Japan, Takayama (高山) is famous for the excellent preservation its Edo Period (1603-1868) historical centre, known as the ‘Sannomachi’.
Once under the direct control of the shogunate / bakufu (幕府), Takayama was a merchant town known for the skill of its carpenters and artisans.
Takayama Today
Today, the old town is beautifully preserved with much of the Edo streetscape and building facades intact attracting visitors from all over the world.
The city is equally well-known for its thriving food scene including its famous Hida beef and Takayama ramen. 🥩🍜
Where to stay
Ryokan Takayama
Address: Hatsuda-cho 2-55, Takayama City, Takayama, 506-0008, Japan
8-minute walk from JR Takayama Station
REVIEW:
Ryokan offers cosy Japanese-style accommodation. There is a public bath for guests to unwind in, while luggage storage and free WiFi are offered at the lobby.
Fitted with tatami (woven-straw) flooring and traditional futon bedding, all rooms have a flat-screen TV, a fridge and a telephone. Bathroom and toilets are shared with other guests.
8-minute walk to Takayama's Old Town and its morning market. Shirakawa-go Village is about a 60-minute drive from the property.
To book here .
Where to Eat
Kyōya
Address: 1 Chome-77 Oshinmachi, Takayama, Gifu 506-0851, Japan
Opening Hours: 11 am to 9 pm
Cost: ~5,000yen
High quality hida beef charcoal grilled at your table. One of the best beef we’ve had. Hida beef steak was a bit pricey though. The restaurant also offers seafood if you don’t eat meat. There’re a few parking space in front of the restaurant.
What to do!
1) Hida Takayama Retro Museum
Address: 4-7 Shimmeimachi, Takayama 506-0821 Gifu Prefecture
Opening Hours: 10am to 4pm
Opened in November 2018, the museum is one minute walk from the old townscape of the tourist attractions in Takayama city area and Nakabashi.
There are valuable magazines such as anime magazine books from the Showa 20s to the 50s, and on the second floor you can play with the toys of the Showa era.
The toy shop can experience nostalgic smart balls for free, and the Hida Takayama retro museum has opened as a facility that can not be experienced at Showa Hall until now.
2. Takayama Morning Market
Opening Hours:
April to November: 7a.m. to noon
December to March: 8a.m. to noon
Open all year round
10 minutes from Takayama JR Station
Takayama morning market is one of the biggest morning markets in Japan.
It takes place at two locations: One is held in front of the Takayama Jinya, and the other at the Miyagawa River side.
The stalls on river side sell vegetables, fruits, pickles and spices while shops on the other side sell Japanese sweets and crafts.
Some shops sell Japanese souvenirs such as chopsticks and small items in addition to Takayama local souvenirs including sarubobo dolls and Ichii Itto-bori wooden carvings.
3. Hida Takayama
Once serving as the government headquarters towards the end of the 17th century, the Takayama Jinya remains the only one of its kind left in the country. The row upon row of Jinyha on Takayama Old Street still maintains its appearance from hundreds of years ago. Enjoy a lovely stroll around the town and learn more about its rich history and culture as you travel back in time to the Edo period.
