Takayama

Travel Guide

Takayama Yatai Kaikan
Takayama
Takayama
Takayama
Takayama
Enjoy exploring the fascinating ancient buildings, bustling markets and stunning mountain views of this city located high in the Japanese Alps.

Takayama is a unique city in Japan’s Gifu Prefecture. Although this region is known as Japan’s crossroads, Takayama is located high in the Japanese Alps and the city’s relative isolation has meant that its culture has developed over the past 300 years without much influence from the outside world. Find ancient temples, heritage farmsteads and castles in this mountainous region.

The Hida-Kokubunji Temple is Takayama’s oldest structure. Explore the three-story pagoda and see a 1,200-year-old ginkgo tree. Take a step back in time at Hida Folk Village. This open-air museum consists of nearly 30 farmhouses that span the centuries. The village displays artifacts from various historical periods and features traditional Japanese handicraft demonstrations.

For spectacular views, take a bus to the summit of Mount Norikura. This dormant volcano, the third tallest in Japan, features wide plains and deep crater lakes. The road up the mountain is often closed because of heavy snowfall. For more panoramic views of the Northern Alps, visit Shinhotaka Ropeway. This aerial lift takes you up Mount Hotakadake, one of Japan’s tallest mountains. Pamper yourself at the mountain’s spa resort.

Explore the ruins of Matsukura Castle. The grounds are home to several hundred cherry trees that explode into blossom during spring. Several events, such as the Sengoku Noroshi Festival, are held here during the blooming season. Takayama Jinya is a former government outpost. The main building has been immaculately restored and is now open to the public. Stop by the farmers’ market held outside every morning.

Takayama is renowned for its exceptionally talented carpenters. See their handiwork in palaces and temples in Kyoto and Nara. As you walk through the city, take note of the buildings’ immaculately crafted decorations. Handmade wooden souvenirs, available at the local market, are very popular keepsakes.

You can easily get to Takayama by bus or by train. The city’s train station connects with most of the region’s cities and towns. You can reach Tokyo by train in just over 4 hours.

Where to stay in Takayama

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Hida Takayama Onsen

4.5/5(79 area reviews)

Hida Takayama Onsen is noteworthy for its historical sites, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Takayama Yatai Kaikan and Miyagawa Morning Market.

Hida Takayama Onsen
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Old Town Takayama

River views, historical sites and restaurants are some highlights of Old Town Takayama. Make a stop by Takayama Traditional Buildings Preservation Area or Miyagawa Morning Market while you're exploring.

Old Town Takayama
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Fuyutō

While Fuyutō isn't home to many top sights, Takayama Festival Floats Exhibition Hall and Takayama Yatai Kaikan are some notable places to visit nearby.

Fuyutō
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Atagomachi

When in Atagomachi, you can plan a visit to Takayama Yatai Kaikan and Takayama Traditional Buildings Preservation Area, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Atagomachi
Residence Hotel Takayama Station
Residence Hotel Takayama Station
3 out of 5
6-105 Hanasatomachi, Takayama, Gifu Prefecture
The price is €60 per night from 17 Mar to 18 Mar
€60
includes taxes & fees
17 Mar - 18 Mar
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Takayama. Enjoy free WiFi, a fitness center, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (591 reviews)
"Lovely hotel, excellent location and very decent size room. Already booked this hotel again for our next trip."

Reviewed on 16 Feb 2025

Residence Hotel Takayama Station
Wat Hotel& Spa Hida Takayama
Wat Hotel& Spa Hida Takayama
3.5 out of 5
3-39-1, Hanasato-cho, Takayama, Gifu-ken
The price is €77 per night from 19 Mar to 20 Mar
€77
includes taxes & fees
19 Mar - 20 Mar
Stay at this 3.5-star spa hotel in Takayama. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and hot springs on site. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,001 reviews)
"We stayed in a standard double room with a queen size bed, room is spacious, modern and clean. Toilet is in a separate room, the shower/tub is in a good size room; both are clean. Hotel offers private spa based on availability which is nice for couples and young families. 10 minutes walk to Takayama ..."

Reviewed on 28 Feb 2025

Wat Hotel& Spa Hida Takayama
TOKYU STAY Hida-Takayama Musubi no Yu
TOKYU STAY Hida-Takayama Musubi no Yu
3.5 out of 5
4-301, Hanasatomachi, Takayama, Gifu
The price is €152 per night from 19 Mar to 20 Mar
€152
includes taxes & fees
19 Mar - 20 Mar
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Takayama. Enjoy free WiFi, hot springs on site, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (849 reviews)
Good find
"Excellent location. Next to the station and bus depot. Within walking distance of eateries and main attractions."

Reviewed on 22 Feb 2025

TOKYU STAY Hida-Takayama Musubi no Yu
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Residence Hotel Takayama Station
Residence Hotel Takayama Station
3 out of 5
6-105 Hanasatomachi, Takayama, Gifu Prefecture
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Takayama. Enjoy free WiFi, a fitness center, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (591 reviews)
"Lovely hotel, excellent location and very decent size room. Already booked this hotel again for our next trip."

Reviewed on 16 Feb 2025

Residence Hotel Takayama Station
FAV LUX HIDATAKAYAMA
FAV LUX HIDATAKAYAMA
3 out of 5
6-101 Hanasatomachi, Takayama, Gifu
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Takayama. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a sauna. Popular attractions Teramachi & Shiroyama-kōen and Hida Kokubunji ...
9/10 Wonderful! (144 reviews)
"Will come back again. Nice hotel with cooking facilities"

Reviewed on 22 Feb 2025

FAV LUX HIDATAKAYAMA
fav HIDATAKAYAMA
fav HIDATAKAYAMA
3.5 out of 5
Nishinoisshikimachi 2-169-1, Takayama, Gifu
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Takayama. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and in-room washers/dryers. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (158 reviews)
"We stayed in the family suite. The design was well thought out and the beds were comfortable. The location was across the street from a 7 Eleven which was super convenient. There is a ramen place next door. It is a close walk to the bus station and you can walk from the hotel into town. Overall it ..."

Reviewed on 9 Jan 2025

fav HIDATAKAYAMA
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Takayama

4.6
Top destination
5 - Excellent
34
5 - Excellent 65%
4 - Good
17
4 - Good 33%
3 - Okay
1
3 - Okay 2%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

U

The little town where you can found the culture and historic.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

I like Takayama so much. I like the old town and morning market. The town is not big and people are so nice. I stayed there 6 night, but it’s not enough for me. I think I will go there again.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Takayama is a base town to go to famous attraction. But itself also fascinating. Variety if traditional shops and restaurants. Famous for Hida beef. It is a small town that you can enjoy walking around all day.

5/5 - Excellent

Katrina

We only stayed the night to experience the ryokan life, but we would love to come back and explore more of Takayama and the surrounding areas.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

A historic location in the Japanese Alps with beautiful old architecture and a plethora of restaurants. We were there for the Autumn Festival which was amazing

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Quient and chill out place