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Before you go
Your trip to Takayama.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Takayama – Gifu Destination Takayama and Shirakawa-go
How to get there
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Aeroporto Internacional Chubu Centrair (NGO) Tokoname · 190 km
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Estação de Takayama 1 km
Approximate distances. Check flights and bus, train or boat schedules before you travel.
Takayama Station is served by the Hida Express, which climbs the valley from Nagoya, and by trains from Toyama. Beside it is the bus terminal for Shinjuku, Kanazawa and Shirakawa-go.
How many days
Two days for the old town, the morning markets, the Jinya, the festival float hall and Hida no Sato. With three days, include Hida Furukawa or the Okuhida hot springs. Shirakawa-go is about a 50-minute bus ride away.
When to go
The Takayama Festival days, in mid-April and early October, are the liveliest and busiest. October and November bring fall colors. Winter is cold with snow, and summer is cooler than in coastal cities.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
Do you need a car?
No. The old town, the Jinya and the festival float hall are within walking distance of the station, and buses run to Hida no Sato, Shirakawa-go and Okuhida. The train goes to Hida Furukawa.
Suggested itinerary
An order that works
Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.
One day in Takayama
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Morning
Morning markets and Sanmachi
Start at the Miyagawa morning market, walk the streets of Sanmachi and visit Takayama Jinya.
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Afternoon
Festival floats hall and Hida no Sato
Visit the festival floats hall in the north of the old town, then take a bus to Hida no Sato.
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Evening
Hida beef and sake
Dine on Hida beef and try local sake at a restaurant in the old town.
2 days in Takayama
Day 1
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Morning
Markets and Jinya
Visit both morning markets and Takayama Jinya.
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Afternoon
Sanmachi and floats hall
Walk through the old town, visit the Kusakabe House and the festival floats hall.
Day 2
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Morning
Hida Furukawa
Take the train to Hida Furukawa and walk along the Setogawa canal.
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Afternoon
Hida no Sato
Return to Takayama and visit the Hida no Sato open-air museum.
Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.
Before you go
Frequently asked questions
What to do in Takayama in one day?
Morning markets and the old town in the morning, Takayama Jinya and the festival floats hall in the afternoon, and dinner with Hida beef.
How do I get from Tokyo to Takayama?
By bullet train to Nagoya and the Hida limited express to Takayama, about 4 hours in total, or by direct highway bus from Shinjuku, about 5h30.
What to eat in Takayama?
Hida beef, as sushi, skewers or grilled; Takayama ramen with a shoyu broth; and hoba-miso, miso grilled on a magnolia leaf.
Does Takayama have snow in winter?
Yes, generally from December to March. The old town with snow attracts photographers, and the road to Shirakawa-go requires a bus or a properly equipped car.
Where are the hot springs near Takayama?
In Okuhida, in the mountains to the east, about a 1-hour bus ride, with several onsen villages at the foot of the Northern Alps.
Beyond the guide
