Takayama is an enthralling mountain city within the Japanese Alps. Surrounded by mountains and forests, town is commonly known as “Little Kyoto.” This is because of its well-preserved historic streets, wood service provider homes, and centuries-old crafts that stay vibrant in the present day. Whereas Kyoto is giant and busy, Takayama feels a lot cozier—a spot the place you’ll be able to nonetheless actually expertise conventional Japan. You’ll be able to take pleasure in recent miso soup on the morning market alongside the river, style sake within the previous streets, and savor a meal of native Hida beef within the night. All the things on this city breathes the simplicity, hospitality, and great thing about the Japanese countryside. On this article, I share 8 enjoyable ideas for issues to do in Takayama.
Most individuals journey from Kamikochi or Kyoto to Takayama. Beneath you’ll be able to learn how the journey works.
From Kamikochi to Takayama
By bus: Go to the Kamikochi Bus Terminal and board the bus to the Hirayu Onsen Bus Terminal. This trip takes just below half an hour. Then, switch to the bus to the Takayama Nohi Bus Middle, which brings you to Takayama in an hour. You do not want to order these buses upfront.
From Kyoto to Takayama
By practice: In Kyoto, take the Shinkansen (bullet practice) which brings you to Nagoya in 35 minutes. Right here, switch to the Restricted Categorical Hida practice to Takayama Station. This trip takes about 2 hours and 20 minutes and passes by means of lovely mountain landscapes. The entire journey time is 3 to three.5 hours, and the journey is roofed by the Japan Rail Cross.
By bus: It’s also possible to take the bus from Kyoto to Takayama. That is barely cheaper and also you don’t should switch, however it does take a bit longer. Verify the present bus departure instances and reserve your bus ticket upfront.
Takayama feels totally different from different Japanese cities; right here, time has actually stood nonetheless. On each avenue nook, you uncover a good looking constructing, a small store, or one thing scrumptious to style. Town is ideal for exploring on foot, although you’ll be able to simply take the bus for longer distances.
Study to make onigiri and miso soup in a Buddhist temple
It’ll come as no shock that you would be able to eat deliciously in all places in Japan. However how enjoyable is it to be taught to make a typical Japanese dish your self? Throughout this Onigiri and Miso Soup Workshop in a Buddhist temple, you find out how native miso soup is ready and make your personal onigiri—rice balls full of numerous substances. It isn’t solely enjoyable to do however at the least as a lot enjoyable to eat all the things afterward.
Discover the previous heart of Takayama: Sanmachi Suji
The center of Takayama lies within the Sanmachi Suji district, an atmospheric a part of town that has absolutely retained its genuine character. The slim streets are lined with darkish wood service provider homes from the Edo interval, that includes ornate facades, sake breweries, and small craft outlets. Wander previous boutiques full of handmade pottery, native snacks, and conventional souvenirs. In Sanmachi Suji, you expertise the previous Japanese appeal that has vanished in lots of different cities.
Those that wish to expertise the streets of Sanmachi Suji in peace ought to come early within the morning. Most outlets, nevertheless, don’t open till between 9:30 and 11:00 AM, at which level the streets rapidly fill with guests and tour teams. As sundown approaches, the peace returns, making it a beautiful time for a night stroll.
Hungry? For a scrumptious breakfast or lunch, go to Falò Espresso Brewers. This espresso spot is thought for his or her nice espresso, however in addition they serve a number of mild breakfasts like a granola bowl and sourdough bread.
Sake tasting in Takayama
Takayama is thought for its glorious sake! A sake tasting is a should on this listing of greatest issues to do in Takayama. The pure mountain water and funky mountain local weather make this area very best for sake manufacturing. From clean, mild varieties to full-bodied ones with a deep taste, you’ll be able to style all of it right here. A number of conventional sake breweries are positioned shut to one another within the previous Sanmachi Suji heart.
At Funasaka Sake Brewery, you need to use cash to dispense numerous varieties of sake from machines whereas getting a glimpse into the world of brewing. Throughout the road is Harada Brewery, the place you’ll be able to take pleasure in a extra genuine and artisanal expertise. Right here you’ll be able to style several types of sake, and you’ll take the glass residence as a memento afterward.
Stroll the 5 km (3.1 miles) Higashiyama Strolling Course
A enjoyable technique to expertise Takayama is by following the Higashiyama Strolling Course. This strolling route formally begins on the Takayama Museum of Historical past and Artwork. There are clear indicators and maps alongside the trail indicating the route. Alongside the way in which, you go a number of previous temples and shrines, and stroll by means of quiet residential areas and a inexperienced forest. The entire route is roughly 5.5 kilometers (3.4 miles) lengthy and takes a median of two hours.
Tip: Within the Daiouji Temple you’ll be able to take a calligraphy lesson.
Style the native specialty: Hida beef
Takayama and the encompassing area are well-known for Hida beef. That is premium wagyu beef that’s extraordinarily tender and juicy with a smooth, buttery style. You’ll be able to style it in all places in Takayama and in all types of how. Order it as nigiri sushi, grilled skewers, yakiniku (the place you grill small items on the desk), or in sukiyaki, a Japanese stew.
Tip: Nice eating places to strive Hida beef are Hida Beef Baya, Suzuya Restaurant, and Kyōya.
Step again in time at Hida Folks Village
On the outskirts of Takayama lies Hida Folks Village (also called Hida-no-Sato), an open-air museum that takes you again to Japan a number of centuries in the past. Unfold throughout a inexperienced hillside are greater than 30 conventional gasshō-zukuri farmhouses from the Hida area, some over 200 years previous. They have been rigorously moved from surrounding villages to protect them for the long run. Inside, you’ll be able to see how households as soon as lived, and numerous areas show previous crafts corresponding to wooden carving, weaving, or lacquerwork. This makes the place really feel not like a museum, however like a vigorous village. You’ll be able to simply spend a number of hours wandering round right here, particularly if you’re enthusiastic about conventional structure or Japanese rural life.
Stroll by means of the Miyagawa Morning Markets early within the day
Early birds can wander throughout the Miyagawa Morning Market alongside the river. Because the Edo interval, native farmers and artisans have gathered right here every day to promote their merchandise. The market begins round 7:00 AM and lasts till about 12:00 PM.
View the Takayama Pageant floats
The Takayama Pageant is taken into account one of the vital lovely festivals in Japan and takes place twice a 12 months: in spring and autumn. The spring version (Sanno Matsuri) falls on April 14 and 15 and is held on the Hie Shrine, whereas the autumn version (Hachiman Matsuri) is on October 9 and 10 on the Sakurayama Hachiman Shrine. Throughout today, the altering of the seasons is well known, and residents pay honor to town’s guardian gods for a very good harvest. The spotlight of the competition is the floats (yatai). These are richly adorned wood wagons with wooden carvings, gold leaf, and silk, which have been pulled by means of the streets of Takayama for the reason that seventeenth century. You’ll be able to admire the floats in fastened squares in Takayama. Within the night, they’re lit with dozens of lanterns, making a magical environment.
Guide your lodging nicely upfront if you wish to keep in the course of the Takayama Pageant.
Tip: Outdoors of the competition, you’ll be able to admire the floats within the ‘Takayama Pageant Floats Exhibition Corridor’.
Hida Takayama Gyoza Sohonzan – This widespread restaurant has a comfortable environment and serves the tastiest gyoza.
EVILTEX Hamburgers & Tex‑Mex – Craving a burger or Mexican delicacies? The inventive menu options burritos, tacos, juicy burgers, and numerous vegetarian burgers.
Hids’ Cafe & Bar – A best choice for each breakfast and lunch. Paninis, salads, and fish and chips are on the menu.
Ebihachi – The specialty of this restaurant is tempura, ready proper in entrance of you.
Cafe & Gallery Takayama Warajiya – A comfy little cafe with scrumptious espresso and attractive pudding.
Heianraku – On this genuine Japanese-Chinese language household restaurant, the tastiest dishes are ready with nice care.
Tofu Delicacies Noguchiya – On this incredible restaurant, all the things revolves round tofu. The menu is filled with dishes the place tofu is ready in numerous methods.
Probably the greatest resorts to remain in Takayama is Resort Wooden Takayama. This fashionable design resort is positioned proper within the previous heart and options a good looking mixture of conventional and trendy kinds. You’ll be able to order drinks within the giant lounge and simply meet different vacationers. After a day within the metropolis, it’s great to loosen up within the resort’s small onsen. Mercure Hida Takayama can also be a superb selection. You’ll keep in an above-average spacious room with loads of consolation, corresponding to a superb mattress, a contemporary lavatory, and helpful extras like a small fridge. Within the morning, an in depth breakfast buffet with recent rolls, fruit, spreads, and sweets awaits. The placement and the top-floor onsen are additionally main pluses. Touring on a smaller price range? Then Chisun Grand Takayama is extremely advisable. The resort is about 300 meters (984 ft) from the station, and bikes can be found for hire to discover Takayama. Rest can also be thought of, as there’s a steam bathtub and a jacuzzi.
