【Hida Takayama】 “Little Kyoto of Hida” Retaining the Charm of a Castle Town

Must-See Tourist Spots: “Old Town” and “Miyagawa Morning Market & Jinya-mae Morning Market”

One of the classic tourist spots in Hida Takayama is the “Old Town,” where houses built from the late Edo period to the mid-Meiji period line the streets. This area, designated as a National Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings, spans about 150 meters east to west and about 420 meters north to south across Kami-Sannomachi, Kami-Ninomachi, Kami-Ichimachi, Katahara-machi, and Shimmei-machi 4 Chome. Commonly known as “Sanmachi Street,” it offers a delightful taste of the “Old Town” charm.

As a center of the castle town and a merchant district, the old streets of Takayama’s Kamimachi and Shimomachi feature unique elements such as lattice windows under the eaves with flowing water, “sakebayashi” (balls made of cedar leaves) hanging from brewery eaves, and traditional townhouses and noren (shop curtains) of old establishments. Kamimachi has shops selling traditional crafts, sweets, and the famous “mitarashi dango” (skewered rice dumplings), attracting many tourists. Shimomachi retains stores related to daily life, including confectioneries, antique shops, agricultural equipment stores, and more, making it a precious street that offers a glimpse into traditional Takayama life.

Another classic spot is the “Miyagawa Morning Market,” held almost every morning on the street of Shimomachi, and the “Jinya-mae Morning Market,” one of Japan’s top three morning markets, held daily at the square in front of Takayama Jinya. These markets evolved from the Edo period as sericulture markets and have been called morning markets since the mid-Meiji period when farmers’ wives began selling vegetables and flowers. They offer fresh seasonal vegetables, fruits, flowers, and unique products lovingly crafted and grown by each vendor, allowing visitors to experience authentic interactions with locals and hear the pure Takayama dialect.

Must-Try Foods When Visiting Hida Takayama!

Hida Takayama, known as “Little Kyoto of Hida,” boasts a food culture rich with the natural blessings of its mountainous surroundings. From traditional local dishes featuring mountain vegetables and river fish to famous specialties like Hida beef, Hoba miso, Takayama ramen, and Hida soba, the region offers a variety of flavors to savor. The highlight is undoubtedly the renowned “Hida Beef.” This brand of premium black Wagyu beef, raised in the abundant nature of the Hida region, meets strict criteria for meat yield and quality to earn the name “Hida Beef.” Known for its fine texture, tenderness, beautiful marbling, and melt-in-your-mouth quality, Hida Beef is served in various dishes such as sukiyaki, steak, hamburgers, beef bowls, sushi, and minced cutlets. Many of these can be enjoyed as takeout, making it easy to savor Hida Beef on the go.

Besides Hida Beef, other must-try local delicacies include “Hoba Miso” and “Takayama Ramen.” Hoba Miso features local miso mixed with ingredients like green onions, mountain vegetables, and mushrooms, cooked on a magnolia leaf. Its fragrant, slightly charred miso pairs perfectly with rice or as a sake accompaniment. Hoba Miso was selected as one of the “Top 100 Rural Dishes” by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries in December 2007. Takayama Ramen, with a history dating back to pre-war times, features a simple yet flavorful combination of soy sauce-based broth with bonito flakes and thin, curly noodles. Many shops in Takayama serve this dish, each offering a unique twist on the classic flavor.

With over 200 gourmet spots focusing on local production for local consumption, including Hida soba and the lightly seasoned “Mitarashi Dango,” visitors can enjoy a diverse range of local flavors in Hida Takayama.

For an Immersive Experience, Stay Overnight!

Hida Takayama offers a variety of accommodations, from hotels and Japanese inns to guesthouses and pensions, allowing you to choose based on your travel plans and mood.

Hotels range from casual business hotels to luxurious resort hotels, often featuring easy access to major attractions, natural hot springs, large baths, and buffets for a comfortable stay.

Japanese inns offer a warm, rustic atmosphere with many providing natural hot springs and outdoor baths. Some inns are registered as tangible cultural properties, ideal for those wanting to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and relax.

Guesthouses and pensions, often in traditional houses, provide a homey atmosphere and are surrounded by nature, perfect for unwinding and rejuvenating from travel fatigue.

Guesthouses offer a unique stay experience, allowing you to live like a local and enjoy the non-daily life with views of Hida Takayama’s streets. They are recommended for families, friends, or couples.

Additionally, there are campsites for those who enjoy camping in the great outdoors. Even beginners can enjoy the experience at beginner-friendly campsites, perfect for a memorable camping debut.

Create Memories with Unique Experiences Only in Hida Takayama!

Hida Takayama offers many unique and fun experiences perfect for creating lasting memories. Highly recommended are the “Sarubobo Making Experience” and the “Hida Takayama Kumihimo Braiding Experience.”

The “Sarubobo Making Experience” at the Hida Takayama Memory Experience Hall is a popular activity where you can handcraft a “Sarubobo” (baby monkey) doll. Choose from five colors: red, green, blue, yellow, and pink, and personalize it with a special message, such as a memorable date or birthday, on the belly. You can also opt to change the “Hida” character on the belly to an alphabet letter or kanji characters like “福” (happiness) or “金” (gold), a unique option only available at the Memory Experience Hall. The hall also offers over ten other experiences without reservations, such as hand-grilled rice crackers, painting, woodworking, and glass crafts.

The “Hida Takayama Kumihimo Braiding Experience” at the Hida Takayama Town Experience Exchange Hall lets you create traditional braids, a key item in a hit animated film, using authentic Hida Takayama marudai (braiding stands). The patented Hida Takayama Six-Strand Braid technique is a special method unique to Hida Takayama. With 16+ thread colors (including metallic threads) to choose from, you can create your original kumihimo braid, and even make kumihimo smartphone straps, glass cords, and shoelaces!

Other experiences include trout fishing, guided tours of the oldest brewery in Gifu Prefecture, rickshaw rides, kimono rentals, shower climbing, and more, with over 30 diverse activities available!