"Historic Castle Town of Takayama" Top 5 Page for this destination Takayama by tigerjapan

Takayama Travel Guide: 119 reviews and 396 photos

Takayama city

Takayama is a beautiful town nestled in the mountains of Gifu prefecture.

Takayama has retained a traditional feel to it like very few other Japanese cities.

For visitors after a traditional view of Japanese castle towns, Takayama is a key location.

The streets of Takayama are filled with history. The merchant houses of Sanmachi Suji display the traditional carpentry that made Takayama carpenters in such demand throughout Japanese history. The best part of Sanmachi Suji is that the historical merchant houses are open to the public and the whole neighbourhood is still a flourishing commercial (and residential) area.

A visit to Takayama wouldn't be complete without seeing the historical temples and shrines of Higashiyama. Also, the wonderful open-air Hida Folk Village museum, here Hida's traditional sloped-roof houses have been transported and rebuilt to form a replica of a traditional Hida farming village. It's a wonderful museum - definitely one of the best in Japan.

The Takayama festival is considered one of the three most beautiful in Japan. The festival is held twice a year, in spring and autumn. Ornate floats are crafted in the Takayama-style by the skilled Hida artisans. The whole city comes alive and it is a wonderful occasion for all.

Events & Sights

* Hida Folk Village

* Takayama Jinya

* Sanmachi Suji

* Takayama festival

* The daily morning markets

  • Last visit to Takayama: Jan 2005
  • Intro Updated Jan 28, 2005
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Reviews (15)

Comments (8)

  • balhannah's Profile Photo
    Dec 3, 2008 at 6:20 PM

    Great tips on a place I have never heard of, had to look it up in my Atlas. Like hearing about places like this.

  • Aug 1, 2008 at 4:00 PM

    Good tips!

  • Maline's Profile Photo
    Sep 15, 2005 at 4:53 AM

    Great page of Takayama. I loved the time we spent there, wish I had known about the free foot spa though :-) //Maline

  • SallyJesseRaphael's Profile Photo
    Sep 15, 2005 at 3:05 AM

    Grand pages. Wonderful photo of the moon over the tree. Beautiful colors.

  • Mar 16, 2005 at 8:28 AM

    Good tips and beautiful photos Tim! Well done.

  • brendagiguere's Profile Photo
    Jan 31, 2005 at 10:50 PM

    Great images-- I just took a quick look, but I'm definitely coming back for more. Thank you for sharing with us. (I'm something of a Japanophile, yet sadly I've never actually been there!) brenda / san diego CA USA

  • Jan 31, 2005 at 10:42 PM

    FAN-BLOODY-TASTIC!!! Your pages have been so great for planning my trip! Thanks... relevant and to the point. Cheers tigerjapan I'll let you know how I enjoy Takayama when i get back yah?

  • Kojidaiyo's Profile Photo
    Jan 27, 2005 at 3:55 AM

    Great Hida Village pics in your travelogue.

tigerjapan

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