Things to do in Takayama City
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Top 10 attractions in Takayama City
Shinhotaka Ropeway
The Shinhotaka Cable Car is located in Okuhida Onsen Village, Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture, Japan. It is the only double-decker cable car in Japan. It is 3,200 meters long and has a height difference of 1,039 meters, which is also quite large in the world. The cable car is divided into two sections, overlooking the magnificent snow scenery of the Hida Mountains, known as the "Northern Alps". The observation deck on the top of the mountain offers a 360-degree panoramic view, making it a great place to enjoy the snow and outdoor activities in winter. In addition, the natural scenery and hot springs near the cable car are also worth a visit.Takayama City · 34.2 km from downtown
Hidatakayama Sanmachi Historic District
Hidatakayama Sanmachi Historic District is located on the east bank of the Miyagawa River that flows through Takayama City, and was once a prosperous merchant town. In particular, the area of Kami-Sannomachi, Kami-Ninomachi, and Kami-Ichinomachi, known as "", features well-preserved Edo-period architecture and is a must-visit destination when coming to Takayama. This area is an "Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings". Hidatakayama Sanmachi Historic District features small canals with murmuring water beneath lattice windows, sugidama (cedar balls) hanging in sake breweries, and rows of noren curtains from large merchant houses and old shops. Traditional candy stores, craft shops, and vendors selling signature savory-sweet grilled rice dumplings and Hida beef skewers line the streets, attracting visitors from all over.Takayama City · 812m from downtown
Hidakochi
Hidakochi is located in the northern part of Gifu Prefecture, in the heart of the Hida region. It has preserved the form of a castle town and merchant town since the Edo period, which is why it is known as the "Little Kyoto of Hida." In addition, you can stroll through the "Sanmachi" district built during the Meiji and Taisho eras, taste local delicacies such as Hida beef and Takayama ramen, and admire handicrafts that embody the superb skills of Hida artisans. Hidakochi is full of charm everywhere. Since the Edo period, this place has flourished as a central town. Today, lattice windows and hearths create a unique atmosphere. Simply strolling here is a delight, with local restaurants, cafes, sake breweries, and general stores utilizing traditional machiya architecture lining the streets, showcasing a rich and diverse charm. You won't be able to resist tasting local flavors like hoba miso. Additionally, rickshaws travel through the streets of the old town, and listening to the rickshaw pullers' commentary while enjoying the breeze on your face is a pure pleasure. Takayama Festival Takayama holds a large festival twice a year, in the spring and fall. The spring festival is the Sanno Festival held in April, and the fall festival is the Hachiman Festival held in October. These two festivals are collectively known as the Takayama Festival. The Takayama Festival is counted among Japan's three most beautiful festivals, along with the Gion Festival in Kyoto and the Chichibu Night Festival in Saitama. The Takayama Festival originated during the era of the Hida lord Kanamori (1585–1692), and the use of floats dates back to 1718. The ingenious mechanical dolls and floats with special mechanisms are artistic creations that combine traditional Japanese formal beauty with exquisite art and craftsmanship. After nightfall, each float (yatai) is lit with over a hundred lanterns, adorning the solemn and magnificent Takayama night. Old Town On the east bank of the Miya River, which flows through Hidakochi, there is an old street. In the Sanmachi district in the middle of this old street, residences from the Edo period are well-preserved. This old street still clearly outlines the shadow of the castle town "Takayama." When visiting, you can see traditional sake breweries and old houses with protruding lattice doors and windows. This area has been designated as an "Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings." Morning Market Takayama's morning market is one of the three major morning markets in Japan. The morning markets are held along the Miya River and in front of Takayama Jinya. The Miyagawa Morning Market is located along a stretch of approx. 350m of the Miya River, which flows through the center of the town, from Kaji-bashi Bridge to Yayoi-bashi Bridge, and features over 60 stalls. On the riverside near the street, there are open-air shops selling vegetables, fruits, pickles, spices, and more, while the side facing the street mainly features shops selling snacks and handicrafts. In addition to local Takayama handicrafts like Sarubobo and Ichii Itto-bori wood carvings, there are also chopsticks and other small Japanese items. In winter or on rainy days, there may only be about 10 stalls. The other morning market at Takayama Jinya began 300 years ago. It was formed as a market for sericulture farmers to buy mulberry leaves, and even today, only farmers are allowed to operate there. There are stalls selling fruits and vegetables picked early in the morning, as well as dried or homemade pickles. The supplier will even tell you how to eat and store them. It has a scale of approx. 40 to 50 stalls, and you can also see rare ingredients such as taro stems, carrot leaves, and wild vegetables. Both morning markets end around noon. If you are staying in Hidakochi, you can head out around 6:00 AM to take a look and go for a walk. You can see locals wearing "noragi" (traditional work clothes) or "kappogi" (aprons that modern Japanese housewives also wear), and see how they energetically start setting up their stalls. Takayama Jinya A "jinya" refers to the place where the gundai and daikan (official titles) governed during the Edo period; the government office, as well as the residence and warehouse of the gundai (daikan), are collectively called a jinya. The Hida daikan was promoted to Hida gundai in 1777, ranking alongside the three major gundai government offices of the time (Kanto, Saigoku, and Mino), and became an important territory under the direct control of the shogunate. It is said that among the more than 60 gundai and daikan offices that remained across the country at the end of the shogunate, only Takayama Jinya preserves the original architecture. As a rare historical site in the country, it was designated as a national historic site in 1929. Hida Folk Village This open-air museum has relocated and restored old and precious folk houses from the Hida region, including gassho-zukuri houses. It features an experience zone where you can feel the seasonal rituals passed down from ancient times, allowing you to concretize your travel memories and take them home. Highly recommended is the experience of making "Sarubobo," a specialty that represents Hidakochi. Sarubobo means "little monkey that brings happiness." In the past, mothers would hand-sew a Sarubobo for their children to wish for their happiness and growth.Takayama City · 12.7 km from downtown
Okuhida Onsengo
Okuhida Onsengo is the collective name for 5 hot spring areas scattered throughout the Northern Alps. Since the discovery of Hirayu Onsen in the 1500s, other hot springs with varying water qualities, such as Shinhirayu Onsen, Okuhida Onsengo Okuhida Onsen Shin-Hotaka Onsen Town, Fukujionsenokuhi Da Hot Spring, and Tochio Onsen, have been discovered, leading to the Okuhida Onsengo of today. Surrounded by the Northern Alps, known as the roof of Japan, Okuhida Onsengo is blessed by nature, and time flows quietly here. It features the nostalgic atmosphere unique to mountain villages and the rich, ever-changing nature of the four seasons; its refreshing air makes it a cherished spiritual home. In addition, various events are held throughout the year. Beyond enjoying the magnificent and wondrous nature, local traditional performances are equally spectacular.Takayama City · 27.7 km from downtown
Hida Hoonokidaira Ski Resort
Located in Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture, Japan, Honokidaira Ski Resort is a ski resort featuring high-quality snow and diversified ski slopes, suitable for players of different levels from beginners to advanced skiers. The ski resort has many ski slopes of different difficulty levels, from the beginner slopes with gentle slopes suitable for beginners to practice basic sliding skills, to the intermediate and advanced slopes with excellent snow quality and extremely challenging, which can fully meet the needs of ski enthusiasts of different levels. The ski resort is 1,350 meters above sea level, with a total length of about 3 kilometers. The ultra-long ski slopes have a long continuous sliding distance, allowing skiers to enjoy the thrill of speeding on the snow. In addition to the excellent skiing conditions, the surrounding ecological environment of the ski resort is ideal and the scenery is magnificent. The ski resort is well-equipped with comfortable rest areas, equipment rentals, and restaurants that provide authentic Japanese cuisine. After skiing, visitors can taste hot ramen and delicious Japanese food to restore their physical strength. Whether you want to experience the fun of skiing or feel the tranquility and beauty of the Japanese mountains in winter, this ski resort is a good choice.Takayama City · 21.9 km from downtown
Hirayu Onsen Ski Area
Hirayu Onsen Ski Resort is located in Takayama, Gifu Prefecture, Japan. It is an ideal place to combine skiing and hot springs. Set against the beautiful backdrop of the Northern Alps, the ski resort offers a variety of slopes suitable for skiers of all levels. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced skier, you can find a challenge here. The ski resort is well-equipped and has a rental service for visitors to rent ski equipment. Skiing lessons are also available to help novices quickly master the basic skills. After skiing, visitors can enjoy the nearby Hirayu Onsen, where they can relieve a day's fatigue with a hot spring bath and experience traditional Japanese hot spring culture. The ski resort is about an hour's drive from the center of Takayama, and visitors can take a bus or drive there. The temperature in the alpine area is lower in winter, so visitors are advised to wear warm clothes and pay attention to icy roads.Takayama City · 27.3 km from downtown
Kamikōchi
Kamikōchi is located in the upper reaches of Azusa River in the western part of Nagano Prefecture. It is surrounded by the Hotaka Mountains, Yaitake Mountains, and Changnen Mountains. It's charm and wonder will be unforgettable once you visit it. It was introduced to the world by the British missionary and mountaineer Wurst Weston in the 19th century, and it is also known by many mountaineers as a famous scenic spot in Japan.Matsumoto · 36.5 km from Takayama City
Mont Deus Hida-kuraiyama Snow Park
Mont Deus Hida-kuraiyama Snow Parkhas a variety of slopes of varying difficulty, suitable for skiers of all levels. It also has a hot spring area and a restaurant.Takayama City · 9.7 km from downtown
Miyagawa Morning Markets
Takayama's morning markets are one of the three major morning markets in Japan. The morning markets are held along the Miyagawa River and in front of Takayama Jinya. The Miyagawa Morning Markets are located along an approx. 350-meter stretch of the Miyagawa River, which flows through the center of town, from Kaji-bashi Bridge to Yayoi-bashi Bridge, with over 60 stalls. On the riverbank side near the street, there are open-air stalls selling vegetables, fruits, pickles, spices, and more, while the opposite side, along the street, features shops selling snacks and crafts. In addition to Takayama specialty crafts such as Sarubobo and Ichii Itto-bori, there are also chopsticks and other Japanese-style trinkets.Takayama City · 541m from downtown
Hida Funayama Resort Arkopia
Takayama City · 11.9 km from downtown
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Hidatakayama Sanmachi Historic District
Takayama City · 812m from downtownHidakochi
Takayama City · 12.7 km from downtownOkuhida Onsengo
Takayama City · 27.7 km from downtown
Hie Shrine
Takayama City · 1.7 km from downtown
Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine
Takayama City · 764m from downtown
Shirakawa-go
Shirakawa Village · 33.4 km from Takayama City
Jinya-mae Morning Markets
Takayama City · 902m from downtown
What travelers say about Takayama City
GtZnMay 10, 2026
5.0
The Shin-Hotaka Ropeway was one of the highlights of my Japan trip! The ride itself was smooth and offered breathtaking views of the Northern Japanese Alps, especially from the double-decker cable car. The scenery at the top was absolutely stunning with fresh mountain air and beautiful panoramic views everywhere. It can get a little crowded, but it’s definitely worth the visit — especially on a clear day. Highly recommended for nature lovers and photographers!
Shinhotaka Ropeway
翱翔的大鲨鱼March 2, 2022
4.0
This is the ancient street of Takayama City in Gifu. It is very charming and looks like a small Kyoto. This area is full of old-style buildings, Ebisudaigumi-machi, all of which are wooden old buildings.
I am very lucky to see this rare beauty. However, no matter how beautiful it is, I might freeze to death if I live in such a cold place all the time.
Hidatakayama Sanmachi Historic District
_TI***j0January 22, 2025
4.0
nice view and quiet unexpectedly, relaxing to wandering about the town and as a middle stopping point for some great eating
Hidakochi
Cherry_wyhJune 2, 2020
5.0
Okuhida Onsen Village is composed of five hot spring villages, including Hirayu, Fukuchi, and Shinhotaka. The transportation is not particularly convenient and you need to take a bus from Takayama to get there. The whole hot spring village is very quiet and is especially suitable for visiting in winter. You should stay for at least 2-3 days, experience various hot spring hotels, and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the snow-capped mountains up close. It is definitely worth a visit.
Okuhida Onsengo
320***11February 7, 2025
5.0
[Value for money] Very good, booked a Japanese-style room, very large.
[Scenery] You can see the snow scenery, so beautiful.
Except that the buffet was relatively messy, it was worth it overall. Will recommend to friends.
Hirayu Onsen Ski Area
BossMan187January 4, 2025
5.0
Most beautiful valleys and rivers in Japan. I travelled many countries but this was amazing in all aspects. Superb experience. You can do it in one day but better to sleep over 1 night if hotels nearby available. I went with a bus from Nagoya a 3hrs journey 1 way.
Kamikōchi
闲看日月December 6, 2019
4.0
We didn't have any goals or plans for this trip, so we had plenty of time to wander around. We walked around here almost three times. Although there were many kinds of things on the market, we only went there to eat. What we didn't eat in the first round, we ate in the second round, and then there was a third round.
Miyagawa Morning Markets
