10 Places To Visit When You Are In Gifu Takayama!

1. The highlight of Takayama - Sanmachi Street!

Takayama is well-known for the beautiful and well preserved old Japanese style streets. A traditionally old street can be found at Sanmachi Dori (street), just 10 minutes from Takayama Station by foot. There are a wide variety of shops and restaurants that line the street of Sanmachi Dori, ranging from traditional food such as Senbei, Japanese rice crackers, to souvenirs such as the famous Sarubobo. You can’t say that you’ve been to Takayama without visiting Sanmachi Dori!

Sanmachi Dori

Address Kamisannomachi, Takayama City, Gifu

Access: 10 minute walk from Takayama Station

Website: Sanmachi Dori

2. One of Japan’s greatest festivals - the Takayama Festival

The Takayama Festival is considered as one of Japan’s greatest Matsuri - festivals. It is held twice every year and is separated into the spring festival which climaxes on 14th and 15th April, as well as the autumn festival on the 9th and 10th October. The Takayama Festival is characterized by the extremely grand floats parading around the town, carried by men. Each float has its unique design, adorned with beautiful and intricate patterns.

Takayama Festival

Dates: Spring: 14-15 April, Autumn: 9-10 October

Website: Takayama Festival

3. The best of Takayama - Miyagawa Morning Market

The Miyagawa Morning Market is another event in Takayama that you cannot miss. Held every morning from 7am to 12noon (opens at 8am during winter), the Miyagawa Morning Market is where you can purchase your souvenirs from Takayama, enjoy the greatest local food and interact with the locals who will be selling at the stalls. It is located in the vicinity of Sanmachi Dori Street so you can explore the streets after visiting the morning market.

Miyagawa Morning Market

Address Shimosannomachi, Takayama City, Gifu

Opening Hours: 7:00am - 12:00pm (opens from 8:00am during winter season)

Access: 10 minute walk from Takayama Station

Website: Miyagawa Morning Market

4. Visit the model of Kiminonawa at Hida-Furukawa Station

The movie Kiminonawa, or “Your Name”, was a huge hit in 2016. The unique atmosphere portrayed by the movie, though dream-like, can actually be experienced in real life! Hida-Furukawa Station is one of the places where you can enter the world of Kiminonawa. Located just 16 minutes from Takayama Station by train, you can enjoy the vast nature that surrounds the rural areas in Takayama. This place is fantastic for photoshoots too.

Hida-Furukawa Station

Address 8, Kanamoricho, Furukawacho, Hida City, Gifu

Access: 16 minutes from Takayama Station via Takayama Line

5. The beautiful light up of Shirakawago

The Shirakawago village is one of the few UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Japan. This village, characterized by its unique buildings with tall, pointed roofs, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Japan. Here, not only can you explore the traditions and culture of Takayama, you can also savor in fantastic local food as well as admire the beautiful nature of Japan. In winter, Shirakawago will be lit up at night, creating an extremely dreamy atmosphere. Do book your tickets in advance as it will be very crowded during the winter season!

Shirakawago

Address Ogimachi, Shirakawa, Ono, Gifu

Access: 50 minute bus ride from Takayama Station

Website: Shirakawago

6. Walk through millions of years at Hida Great Limestone Cave

Limestone caves take millions of years to form, and the sheer experience of walking through one is simply amazing. At the Hida Great Limestone Cave, you can walk through history as the unique limestone formations in the cave will greet you. Some of them look like statues, and others like buildings, and it is almost impossible to believe that all of them were formed naturally! For those traveling with pets, don’t worries, because they are also allowed in the cave.

Hida Great Limestone Cave

Address 1147 Nyūkawachō Hiyomo, Takayama-city, Gifu

Opening Hours: April to October: 8:00am - 5:00pm, November to March: 9:00am - 4:00pm

Access: 45 minute bus ride from Takayama Station

Website: Hida Great Limestone Cave

7. Climb to the summit of Mount Norikura!

There are many mountains in Japan, and one of them is Mount Norikura, with a formidable height of 3,026 meters (9,927 feet). This is a popular summit amongst mountaineers, and might not be something that people expect to go to during a simple holiday. However, you can actually take a bus up to the Tatami Daira region. All you need to do after that is hike for another 90 minutes to reach the summit of the amazing mountain! Having said that, you will still need a certain level of fitness to reach the top, and please visit Mount Norikura in proper attire.

Mount Norikura

Address Nyukawacho Iwaidani, Takayama City, Gifu

Access: 1 hour bus ride from Takayama Station to Hirayu Onsen bus stop, followed by 1 hour bus ride from Hirayu Onsen bus stop to Honoki Daira

Website: Mount Norikura

8. Catharsis at the Onsens of Okuhidaonsenkyo

There are many onsens in the Takayama region, and a few of the greatest ones are at the Okuhidaonsenkyo region. A recommended one at the Okuhida region is the “Shinhodaka no Yu”. It is a public open air bath that can be enjoyed by anybody. Although it is a mixed bath, you can wear a swimwear or towel in, so don’t worry. The feeling of being in an onsen surrounded by nature is fantastic!

Okuhidaonsenkyo Sight Seeing Information Center

Address 1689-3, Onsengo Murakami, Okuhida, Takayama, Gifu

Opening Hours: April to Sep: 10am-5pm, the rest of season: 10am-4pm

Access: 1 hour bus ride from Takayama Station to Hirayu bus stop, followed by 10 minute bus ride to Shinhirayu Hot Spring bus stop

Website: Okuhidaonsenkyo

9. Appreciate the nature of Takayama from the sky at Shinhodaka Ropeway!

Shinhodaka Ropeway will bring you from the Shinhodaka Onsen region to the Nishiodaka Station at an altitude of 2,156 meters (7,204 ft). The ropeway, over 3 kilometers (1.8 mi) long, will allow you to have a bird’s eye view of the Japanese Alps mountain ranges. From the observatory at the top, you can have a great panoramic view of the mountains surrounding Takayama.

Shinhodaka Ropeway

Address 710 - 58, Onsengo Kansaka, Okuhida, Takayama City, Gifu

Opening Hours: Depends on season, please refer to official website

Access: 1 hour bus ride from Takayama Station to Hirayu bus stop, followed by 30 minute bus ride to Shinhodaka Ropeway bus stop

Website: Shinhodaka Ropeway

10. One of Japan’s top three Onsens - Gero Onsen

Gero Onsen is one of Japan’s top three onsens, along with the Arima Onsen in Hyogo prefecture and Kusatsu Onsen in the Gunma region. Once you reach the Gero Onsen station, you will already be greeted by foot bath onsens. In fact, there are many of such onsens around the city. You should also take a look at the famous “Funsenchi”, which is the symbol of Gero city. This open air onsen can be used by any member of the public, but it is mandatory that you wear a swimwear when entering the onsen.

Gero Onsen can be accessed within 1 hour and 30 minutes from Nagoya as well, and this is certainly a spot that you cannot miss, even if you don’t have enough time to explore the whole of Takayama.

Gero Onsen

Address Gero, Gifu

Access: 40 minute bus ride from Takayama Station via Takayama Main Line

Website: Gero Onsen

Book in advance

Takayama, like many other places in Japan, is one which will be crowded during the holiday season. Especially for places like Shirakawago and Sinhodaka Ropeway, make sure you book your hotels and tickets in advance when planning your trip!