Let’s be honest, you probably heard about Takayama because of the super popular Hida beef. And yes, you should absolutely come for the food; it’s incredible! But while you’re slipping into a happy food coma, you’ll discover that you’ve also found a true escape into the past. The atmosphere of old Japan is so perfectly preserved here that walking on the streets feels like entering another era.
This guide is designed to help you make the most of your journey, planning your trip around all the best bites and historic sights.
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How to Get to Takayama
Takayama is located in the mountains (the city’s name literally means ‘tall mountain’!), but it’s surprisingly easy to get to from several of Japan’s major cities. Your main options are the train or the more budget-friendly highway bus. Your choice usually depends on your budget, how much time you have, and whether you are using a Japan Rail Pass.
Learn more about the Japan Rail Pass here:
Getting to Takayama from Tokyo
Getting from Tokyo to Takayama is a trip from the big city into the mountains, but it’s pretty straightforward. You can choose between a fast train or a direct bus.
By Train
- Route: Take the Tokaido Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Nagoya. In Nagoya, change to the JR Hida Limited Express train, which goes directly to Takayama.
- Total Time: About 4 hours and 15 minutes.
- Cost & JR Pass: Without a pass, a one-way ticket costs about ¥14,500-15,000. If you have the JR pass, this route is covered, but there’s an important rule: you must take a Hikari or Kodama Shinkansen, as the faster Nozomi trains are not included with the pass.
By Bus
- Route: Nohi Bus runs direct highway buses from both the Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal and the Bus Terminal Tokyo Yaesu to the Takayama Bus Centre.
- Total Time: About 5 hours and 30 minutes.
- Cost: A one-way adult ticket on the daytime bus costs ¥8,000 from Shinjuku or ¥8,500 from Tokyo Yaesu.
Getting to Takayama from Nagoya
Nagoya is the closest major city to Takayama, so getting there from Nagoya is super easy and direct. It’s one of the most popular ways to reach the town.
By Train
- Route: Take the JR Hida Limited Express train directly from Nagoya Station to Takayama Station.
- Total Time: About 2 hours and 20 minutes.
- Cost & JR Pass: A one-way ticket costs about ¥6,000. This trip is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass.
By Bus
- Route: Frequent highway buses run from the Meitetsu Bus Centre next to Naota Station directly to Takayama
- Total Time: About 2 hours and 45 minutes.
- Cost: A one-way ticket costs ¥3,300-3,600.
Getting to Takayama from Kyoto/Osaka
Coming from Kyoto or Osaka? No problem. The easiest way is usually to head to Nagoya first, and from there it’s a direct shot to Takayama.
By Train
- Route: Take the Tokaido Shinkansen from Kyoto or Shin-Osaka Station to Nagoya. At Nagoya, change to the JR Hida Limited Express train, which goes directly to Takayama.
- Total Time: About 3 hours from Kyoto; 3 hours and 30 minutes from Osaka.
- Cost & JR Pass: A one-way ticket costs around ¥10,000-11,000. The journey is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass (just be sure to take a Hikari or Kodama Shinkansen).
By Bus
- Route: A direct highway bus is jointly operated by Nohi Bus and Kintetsu Bus, running from major hubs in both cities (like Kyoto Station and Osaka Namba OCAT) directly to Takayama.
- Total Time: About 4 hours from Kyoto; 5 hours from Osaka.
- Cost: A one-way ticket is typically around ¥5,000-6,000.
Getting to Takayama from Kanazawa
Lots of people visit Kanazawa and Takayama on the same trip. Getting between them is pretty easy, especially by bus, which offers a direct and scenic ride through the mountains.
By Train
- Route: There isn’t a direct train. You’ll take the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Kanazawa to Toyama (it’s a very short ride), then change to the JR Hida Limited Express train to Takayama.
- Total Time: About 2 hours and 15 minutes.
- Cost & JR Pass: A one-way ticket costs about ¥7,000. This route is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass.
By Bus
- Route: This bus route is really popular and the views are great. Nohi Bus runs between Kanazawa and Takayama, and many buses stop at the famous village of Shirakawa-go, so you can easily see both.
- Total Time: About 2 hours and 15 minutes (direct).
- Cost: A one-way ticket costs around ¥4,000. It’s a good idea to book this one in advance.
Which is Better: Train or Bus?
- Choose the train if: You have a Japan Rail Pass, as the high cost will be completely covered. The train is also faster, and the final part of the journey is known for being very scenic.
- Choose the bus if: You want to save money. Bus tickets are often less than half the price of train tickets, making it the cheapest way to get to Takayama.
All this talk about trains and buses got you confused? We’ve got just the guide for you:
Top 8 Must-Visit Attractions in Takayama
Sanmachi Suji (Old Town)
This is the heart of historic Takayama and what the city is most famous for. It’s a beautifully preserved area with traditional merchant houses, sake breweries, and wooden buildings that go back to the Edo period.
You can spend hours just strolling through the narrow streets, visiting the small shops that sell local crafts and souvenirs, and soaking in the historic atmosphere.
Address: Kamisannomachi, Takayama, Gifu 506-0846
Takayama Morning Market
A trip to Takayama isn’t complete without visiting one of its morning markets, which are lively and bustling attractions. There are two main locations: the Jinya-mae Market in front of the Takayama Jinya, and the larger Miyagawa Market along the river.
At the stands, you can find fresh local vegetables, pickles, flowers, and street food like Hida beef skewers and mitarashi dango (grilled rice dumplings).
Address (Miyagawa Market): Shimosannomachi, Takayama, Gifu 506-0841
Takayama Jinya
This was a historic government house that served as the local government office during the Edo period. Now it’s a museum, and it’s the only building of its kind remaining in Japan. It gives you great insight into the region’s history and administration. You can explore the various rooms, including the courtroom, offices, and living quarters.
Address: 1-5 Hachikenmachi, Takayama, Gifu 506-0012
Hida Kokubunji Temple
This is a historic Buddhist temple that was first established in the 8th century. It is one of the oldest and most important temples in the area, known for its beautiful architecture, including a three-story pagoda and a main hall which houses important Buddhist statues and artifacts. The temple grounds are also home to a huge ginkgo tree that is said to be over 1,200 years old.
Address: 1-83 Sowamachi, Takayama, Gifu 506-0007
Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine
This is a historic Shinto shrine known for its vibrant cherry blossom trees. It is a popular and important destination during the autumn Takayama Festival, which features traditional performances and parades that honour the shrine’s deity.
Address: 178 Sakuramachi, Takayama, Gifu 506-0858
Takayama Festival Floats Exhibition Hall
This hall shows a rotating selection of four of the eleven elaborate floats used in the famous autumn Takayama Festival. To help visitors understand the spirit of the festival, a shrine maiden provides guided tours of the exhibition. It’s located right next to the Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine.
Address: 178 Sakuramachi, Takayama, Gifu 506-0858
Takayama Showa-kan Museum
This is a fun, cultural museum that shows what daily life and culture were like during Japan’s Showa period (1926-1989). It has a great collection of preserved buildings, exhibits, and everyday items, which gives visitors a nostalgic look into Japan’s recent past.
Address: 6 Shimoichinomachi, Takayama, Gifu 506-0843
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Sakurayama Nikkokan
This unique museum is dedicated to showcasing incredibly detailed, 1:10 scale replicas of the famous Nikko Toshogu Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage site located in Nikko. Instead of travelling all the way to Nikko, visitors can admire the stunning detail of the shrine’s most famous structures, like the Yomeimon Gate, right here in Takayama.
Address: 178 Sakuramachi, Takayama, Gifu 506-0858
Where to Stay in Takayama: Best Ryokans & Hotels
For an authentic experience, staying in a traditional Japanese inn, called a ryokan, is a great choice. Here are a few excellent options:
Ryokan Takayama
This is a classic, simple inn that offers a traditional Japanese experience with tatami mat rooms and futon bedding. It’s in a very convenient spot, just an eight-minute walk from both the train station and the Old Town, making it a great base for exploring.
Address: 54 Tenmanmachi, Takayama, Gifu 506-0025
Ryokan Tanabe
If you want to stay right in the middle of the action, this is a great choice. Ryokan Tanabe is one of the city’s most historical inns, located in the heart of the Old Town. It’s especially well-known for serving excellent local Takayama cuisine for dinner and breakfast.
Address: 58 Kamininomachi, Takayama, Gifu 506-0845
Haven’t stayed at a ryokan before? Be sure to check out this guide first:
Hotel Associa Takayama Resort
For a modern hotel experience with great views, this resort is a top pick. It’s located on a hill overlooking the city, so many rooms have fantastic mountain views. The hotel has a variety of excellent hot spring baths and offers other resort services like massages.
Address: 1134 Echigomachi, Takayama, Gifu 506-0033
What to Eat in Takayama
The Takayama food scene is a major highlight, from world-class Hida beef to simple, delicious street snacks. Here are some of the places we highly recommend:
Hida Beef Nigiri-zushi (Sakuya Konohana)
This is one of Takayama’s most famous street food experiences. The shop serves lightly seared Hida beef on top of a ball of rice, just like sushi. The beef has a melt-in-your-mouth texture, and the seasoning brings out its natural sweetness. If you’re not sure what to get, the three-piece set is a great option.
Address: 34 Kamisannomachi, Takayama, Gifu 506-0846
Hours: 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Hida Beef Buns (Hida Gyuman Honpo)
These steamed buns are a very popular snack, perfect for warming up on a cool day. The shop is well-known for its classic original Hida beef bun and its cheese Hida beef bun, which are both very popular with visitors.
Address: 33 Kamisannomachi, Takayama, Gifu 506-0846
Hours: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Mitarashi Dango (Jinya Dango)
You’ll see many shops selling dango (grilled rice dumplings), but this small stall offers a traditional Takayama style. Unlike the sweet and sticky sauce found elsewhere in Japan, these dumplings have a simple, savoury soy sauce flavour with a slightly roasted taste.
Address: 29 Honmachi, Takayama, Gifu 506-0011
Hours: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays)
Maruaki
This is a local favourite and a great place to have a proper sit-down meal focused on Hida beef. They serve the regional specialty in various delicious ways, like steak or Japanese barbecue (yakiniku), all at reasonable prices.
Address: 6-8 Tenmanmachi, Takayama, Gifu 506-0025
Hours: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays)
Itakura Takayama Ramen
This restaurant serves ramen that is special to the Takayama region. The soup has a seafood and soy sauce-flavoured base, and it’s served with thin, frizzled noodles. The ramen comes with toppings like roasted pork, spring onions, bamboo shoots, and a boiled egg.
Address: 2-22 Shinmeimachi, Takayama, Gifu 506-0821
Hours: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Closed Mondays)
Aji-no-Yohei
This restaurant is part of the Funasaka Sake Brewery, so it’s a great place to enjoy both food and drink. You can find a wide range of excellent dishes made with Hida beef and other local ingredients. It’s a perfect spot to pair your meal with a wide selection of sake made right there on the premises.
Address: 105 Kamininomachi, Takayama, Gifu 506-0845
Hours: 11:00 AM – 2:30 PM & 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Love sake? Add a visit to some of our favourite sake breweries to your trip:
The Perfect 1.5-Day Takayama Itinerary
To see all the highlights without rushing, this 1.5-day itinerary is a great way to plan your time. A single day would feel very fast-paced, while the extra morning allows you to truly soak in the atmosphere of the Old Town.
Day 1: Culture, History, and Food
Morning
Start your day early at the Miyagawa Morning Market, which runs along the river. It’s a wonderful way to dive into the local scene. Take your time wandering along the stalls, checking out the colourful displays of fresh vegetables and local pickles. It’s also a great spot to grab a coffee or a fresh snack to get you going.
After you’ve soaked up the market’s lively atmosphere, take a short walk to explore two of Takayama’s most important historic sites.
First, at Hida Kokubunji Temple, you can admire the ancient three-story pagoda and stand in awe of the massive ginkgo tree that has been there for over a thousand years.
Afterwards, head to the nearby Takayama Jinya to get a real sense of how officials lived and worked during the Edo period by walking through the quiet, tatami-mat rooms and historic halls.
Afternoon
For lunch, wander back towards the Old Town (Sanmachi Suji). This is the perfect time for a casual street food crawl. The area is buzzing with energy, and the hardest part is choosing what to eat. We recommend grabbing some famous Hida beef nigiri-zushi or some savoury mitarashi dango from a stall and enjoying it as you walk.
After eating, it’s time for a fun contrast between two different kinds of history. First, step into the colourful and nostalgic world of post-war Japan at the Takayama Shōwa-kan Museum.
Then, prepare to be amazed by the incredible, centuries-old craftsmanship on display at the Takayama Festival Floats Exhibition Hall. Seeing the massive, detailed floats up close is truly impressive.
Evening
A visit to the Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine, located right next to the float hall, is the perfect way to end your sightseeing. The grounds are beautiful and calm, especially as the afternoon crowds start to fade.
After a full day of walking, the best way to relax is to find a local onsen and let the hot mineral water work its magic. Once you’re refreshed, it’s time for a proper sit-down dinner. This is your chance to enjoy a full Hida beef experience at a restaurant like Maruaki, perhaps trying Japanese barbecue (yakiniku) or a hot pot.
Day 2: A Morning in Old Japan
Morning
Yesterday’s visit to the Sanmachi Suji (Old Town) was just a quick bite, but today is for a proper deep dive. With the main sights covered, this morning is all about taking it slow and truly exploring the historic streets.
Take your time browsing the charming shops, looking for local crafts like intricate wood carvings or lacquerware.
This is also a great opportunity to step into one of the many sake breweries in the area. Many offer taste-testing, allowing you to sample different types of local sake. For lunch, have one last Takayama food experience before you depart. It’s the perfect chance to grab a bowl of Takayama-style ramen or try any other street food you might have missed on day one.
Day Trips from Takayama
Takayama is a great home base for exploring the surrounding Hida region. If you have an extra day, there are some really cool places nearby that are easy to get to. Here are a few ideas.
Shirakawa-go
You’ve probably seen photos of Shirakawa-go—it’s a famous UNESCO village with unique farmhouses that have steep, grassy-looking roofs. It’s a really popular day trip from Takayama and definitely worth seeing in person.
How to get there: The easiest way is to take the Nohi Bus from the Takayama Bus Centre. The ride takes about 50 minutes.
Want to discover other hidden gems like Shirakawa-go? We’ve got you covered:
Hida-Furukawa
For something a bit like Takayama but with fewer crowds, check out Hida-Furukawa. It’s a small, quiet town with a pretty canal full of koi fish and old white-walled buildings. It’s a nice change of pace.
How to get there: It’s just a 15-20 minute train ride from Takayama Station on the JR Takayama Main Line.
Gero Onsen
If you want to relax in a hot spring, Gero Onsen is one of Japan’s most famous onsen towns and the perfect place for a chill day. You can find lots of public baths and even free footbaths (ashiyu) to soak your feet after all that walking.
How to get there: Jump on the JR Hida Limited Express train from Takayama. The trip takes about 45-50 minutes.
Check out our complete guide on enjoying hot springs in Japan:
Hida no Sato (Hida Folk Village)
If you want to see the traditional farmhouses but don’t have time for the trip to Shirakawa-go, Hida no Sato is a great, quick alternative. It’s an open-air museum right in Takayama with lots of old houses from the area. It gives you a similar vibe, but it’s much closer and easier to get to.
How to get there: It’s just a 10-minute ride on the local “Sarubobo Bus” from the Takayama Bus Centre.
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Takayama FAQs Answered
Is one day enough for Takayama?
While you can see the main sights in one packed day, 1.5 days is better. This allows you to explore the Old Town without rushing and gives you time to relax in an onsen.
What is Takayama famous for?
Takayama is most famous for its beautifully preserved Edo-period Old Town (Sanmachi Suji), its high-quality Hida beef, and its spectacular biannual Takayama Festival.
Where can you see the Takayama festival floats?
You can see four of the real, historic floats year-round at the Takayama Festival Floats Exhibition Hall, located next to the Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine.
Is Takayama worth visiting?
Absolutely. If you appreciate history, traditional Japanese architecture, incredible food, and a more relaxed atmosphere than the big cities, Takayama is one of the most rewarding destinations in Japan.
