Takayama

Takayama, or Hida Takayama to its friends, is a few hours from Tokyo or a couple of hours from Kyoto, in Gifu prefecture. Its semi-isolation, high above the rest of the country and off the beaten track has given the city its own distinctive culture and character, and yet Takayama has played an important role in the life and history of Japan.

Mountains mean hiking, and hereabouts you find some of the best walking in the country.

Mountains also mean trees, and in the case of Takayama, trees have made the city the home of the craft of woodworking. Through the centuries the skills of Takayama’s men have contributed to the building of some of Japan’s most famous national treasures, the magnificent shrines and temples of Kyoto and Nara.

Because of its location, Takayama has been spared the worst of the ravages of modernisation and war. The old town is a wonderfully preserved time capsule of old buildings housing the local arts and crafts, and evoking the town in its most picturesque yore.

The old culture is also preserved in the several festivals throughout the year, the most famous being in October, during which the visitor can experience the distinctive costumes, dances and music of this city, not to mention the food and drink.

In summer, the city bakes under the sun like the rest of nation but in winter, the snow lies deep and the place turns into a wonderland, but its fascination is perennial.  Take a look at our Takayama Festival Tour and Fuji Paths Tours

Train ride up the valley to Takayama

The ride up the twisting valley from Nagoya to Takayama on the JR Hida line takes just under 2 ½ hours.

Train ride up the valley to Takayama
 

The Takayama Festival

There are two festivals in the year, one in spring, one in autumn.  We go to both on our Takayama Tours.  On the first day of the tour the floats are brought out for display

The Takayama Festival
 

 

Takayama Festival
 
 
 

The festival in Takayama 

 

Festival image at Takayama

The night parade on the first night

Night Parade, Takayama Festival

 

Takayama Festival 1st Night Parade

 

The parade on the second day

Takayama Festival Day 2

 

The Nakabashi Bridge

The Iconic Vermillion Bridge at the south side of the preserved area during the spring festival

The Nakabashi Bridge
 
 
 

 

The Nakabashi Bridge in winter

The Nakabashi Bridge in winter
 

When the festival isn’t on

The street leading up to Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine

Street leading up to Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine
 

 

Sake distillery

 

The cedar ball outside a building indicates sake is on sale

Higashiyama Trail

The trail on the east side of town follows a route through a number of temples fashioned on the area with the same name in Kyoto.

Higashiyama Trail, Takayama
 
 

 

The food

Hida Beef

Hida Beef in Takayama
 

 

Ayu no shio yaki (salted sweetfish)