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

Takayama Travel Guide: 172 reviews and 392 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 Folf Village

* Hida Folk Village

* Takayama Jinya

* Sanmachi Suji

* Takayama festival

* The daily morning markets

Moon Above Tree

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

Map Of Hida Takayama Favorites (1)

This is a map that you can save to your computer and then print out. more travel advice

Knickers at the "Fountain Of Youth" - Takayama

"Youth Please" Things to Do (5)

In the Hida-no-sato (Hida Folk Village) open-air museum there is a "Fountain of Youth". If there is even the off chance... more travel advice

Free Foot Bath with Onsen Water - Takayama

Free Foot Spa Things to Do (5)

At the Takayama Green Hotel complex they have a free foot bath that uses the hot onsen water that sprang from a spring... more travel advice

Japanese Inn Hotels (2)

Comfortable,reasonably-priced and stylish Japanese inn, catering to the independent traveler. Very conveniently located... more travel advice

Local Customs (3)
See All Local Cuisine (Hida Soba)
Transportation (3)
See All Sightseeing Bus

Restaurants (1)
Izakaya-style Restaurant
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Travelogues (2)

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Comments (8)

balhannah Dec 3, 2008 at 6:20 PM Report Abuse

Great tips on a place I have never heard of, had to look it up in my Atlas. Like hearing about places like this.
dieterwenck Aug 1, 2008 at 4:00 PM Report Abuse

Good tips!
Maline Sep 15, 2005 at 4:53 AM Report Abuse

Great page of Takayama. I loved the time we spent there, wish I had known about the free foot spa though :-) //Maline
SallyJesseRaphael Sep 15, 2005 at 3:05 AM Report Abuse

Grand pages. Wonderful photo of the moon over the tree. Beautiful colors.
tiger9090a Mar 16, 2005 at 8:28 AM Report Abuse

Good tips and beautiful photos Tim! Well done.
brendagiguere Jan 31, 2005 at 10:50 PM Report Abuse

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
Londoncalling Jan 31, 2005 at 10:42 PM Report Abuse

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 Jan 27, 2005 at 3:55 AM Report Abuse

Great Hida Village pics in your travelogue.