A Complete Guide to Hida Takayama’s Old Town: Experience the Timeless Scenery of Traditional Japan

The Old Town began to take shape during Japan’s Warring States period, when warlord Kanamori Nagachika built Takayama Castle and developed the surrounding castle town.
Drawing inspiration from Kyoto, Nagachika planned the town’s layout, including its temple district and street divisions, and helped transform Hida Province, now part of Gifu Prefecture, into a prosperous region.
During the Edo period, the Hida region became territory directly governed by the shogunate and prospered as a political and economic center, forming the foundation of today’s Old Town.
Merchant houses gathered along Sanmachi Street, and even after Takayama Castle was demolished in 1695, shogunate policies and the work of local merchants continued to preserve the townscape.
Many of the surviving buildings date from the late Edo period to the middle of the Meiji period, and measures are still taken throughout the district to protect its scenery.
With more than 400 years of history, the townscape will likely continue to fascinate visitors for generations to come.

One of the first things you will notice when walking through the Old Town is the row of projecting lattice windows on its traditional merchant houses.
The orderly sight of these wooden lattice frames extending beneath the eaves is deeply nostalgic and may make you feel as though you have stepped back into the Edo period.
Modern fixtures such as outdoor air-conditioning units and fire hydrants have also been designed to blend into the traditional surroundings, creating picturesque views wherever you look.
Many of the buildings were originally merchant houses and now serve as souvenir stores, cafés, and sake breweries.
This living cultural heritage, where traces of the Edo period remain naturally present, is sure to leave an impression.

A walk through the Old Town begins at Nakabashi Bridge, located at its entrance.
The bridge once played an important role in connecting the central parts of the castle town and supported the movement of residents for many years.
The view of the Old Town and the flowing Miyagawa River beyond its red railings is one of Hida Takayama’s most iconic scenes.
Its appearance changes with the seasons: cherry blossoms decorate the bridge in spring, the clear water sparkles in summer, fall foliage stands out against the merchant houses’ black latticework, and snow adds a quiet beauty in winter.
At dusk, light spilling from the lattice windows reflects on the river, creating a warm and nostalgic scene.
Take in the panoramic view found only in this historic town.

Be sure to include Hida Takayama’s morning markets, a tradition dating back to the late Edo period, in your sightseeing plans.
Recognized as one of Japan’s three major morning market destinations, Hida Takayama has two popular markets: the Miyagawa Morning Market and the Jinya-mae Morning Market.
At the Miyagawa Morning Market, freshly harvested vegetables, pickles, folk crafts, and other goods line a pleasant, breezy street beside the Miyagawa River, offering a close look at the lifestyle and food culture of the Hida region.
The Jinya-mae Morning Market began around 1820 as a mulberry market on the grounds of Takayama Betsuin Temple. After moving several times, the tradition was passed down at its present location in front of Takayama Jinya, giving the market a distinctive atmosphere.
Both have a lively yet down-to-earth character and offer warm interactions with producers and local residents.

Takayama Jinya was a government office where officials known as daikan and gundai administered local affairs during the Edo period. The complex consists of government offices, official residences, storehouses, and other buildings. For 176 years beginning in 1692, when Hida became territory directly governed by the Tokugawa shogunate, officials dispatched from Edo administered the region from this site.
More than 60 shogunate administrative offices of this kind reportedly existed across Japan at the end of the Edo period, but Takayama Jinya is the only one whose principal buildings survive. It has been designated a National Historic Site.

Located just beside the Old Town, the Hida Takayama Museum of History and Art introduces the history and daily life of the region.
The museum occupies renovated cypress storehouses built in 1875 and features 14 exhibition rooms covering topics such as the origins of Takayama and materials related to the Kanamori clan, the lords of Takayama Castle.
Each room offers substantial displays organized around a different theme, using authentic artifacts and models to clearly explain the historical background of the Old Town.
Admission is free, making it an easy place to visit during a walk through the area.

Sampling Hida specialties while walking is one of the pleasures of visiting the Old Town.
A wide variety of establishments line Sanmachi Street and the surrounding area, offering new discoveries as you explore the townscape.
One especially recommended choice is mitarashi dango, a soul food of Hida Takayama.
Unlike sweeter versions found elsewhere, Takayama’s dango are generally seasoned with a mildly sweet soy sauce and have a simple, savory flavor and appetizing toasted aroma.
Hida beef, a renowned brand of wagyu with fans throughout Japan, is another specialty not to miss.
It is served in forms such as grilled skewers, sushi, and steamed beef buns, with affordable bite-sized portions making it easy to sample.
A leisurely walk with something delicious in hand is all it takes to enjoy a rewarding taste of Hida Takayama.

Seven sake breweries, each with its own history and approach to brewing, are located within walking distance of one another in the Old Town.
At the breweries, visitors can learn about sake production using Hida’s water and cold climate while sampling local sake with characteristics that vary by producer.
Many breweries offer tastings for a few hundred yen per glass, presenting a surprisingly broad range of flavors, from aromatic ginjo sake to dry local varieties that pair well with meals.
Comparing several labels and finding a personal favorite is part of the experience.
The sakebayashi, or cedar balls, hanging beneath the eaves indicate that new sake is ready. Their gradual change from green to brown also adds seasonal character to the streets.

After exploring the streets, take a break at one of the retro cafés scattered around the district.
Several establishments occupy renovated traditional merchant houses, welcoming travelers into spaces filled with the warmth of wood and soft lighting.
In many cases, the buildings themselves are attractions, offering a chance to relax amid light streaming through lattice windows and interiors filled with old-fashioned character.
Another appeal is the selection of distinctly Hida flavors, including rich pudding made with Hida milk, locally roasted coffee, and creative sweets inspired by regional confections.
Rest your feet while lingering over the atmosphere of the Old Town.

For a more memorable walk through the Old Town, consider renting a kimono or yukata.
Traditional clothing complements the atmospheric streets lined with lattice windows and black-lacquered merchant houses, making photography even more enjoyable.
Rental stores generally provide a complete set, including a kimono, obi sash, bag, and zori sandals, so you can arrive empty-handed.
Many stores also provide dressing services, allowing international visitors unfamiliar with traditional Japanese clothing to participate with confidence.
This experience is especially popular with couples and groups of women and is ideal for creating lasting travel memories.

Located just beside the Old Town, the Hida Takayama Crafts Experience Center is a cultural facility occupying renovated historic buildings that once served as the soy sauce and grain storehouses of the wealthy Mori merchant family.
The center offers hands-on activities and demonstrations introducing Hida’s craft culture, including Ichii Itto-bori woodcarving, a nationally designated traditional craft, and sarubobo folk dolls.
Especially popular activities include making traditional Uto ladles and creating kumihimo braided cords by combining colorful threads.
Even first-time participants can join with ease, and taking home something made with your own hands is part of the appeal.

Hida Folk Village is an open-air museum where valuable historic homes from the Hida region have been relocated and restored. Its collection includes four National Important Cultural Properties and features houses with gassho-style architecture and wooden shingle roofs designed to withstand heavy snow, preserving the appearance of a traditional rural mountain village for future generations.
The houses display numerous tools once used in rural work and daily life. Demonstrations of crafts such as straw work and sashiko stitching are also held on a rotating basis. Visitors can try traditional games such as bamboo stilts and kendama, making this a recommended destination for families.

The Takayama Festival Floats Exhibition Hall displays authentic floats used in the Takayama Festival, allowing visitors to see their intricate craftsmanship and impressive scale up close.
These festival floats, called yatai in Takayama and also known as dashi elsewhere in Japan, are carried or pulled during festivals.
They are often decorated with animal-shaped figures and lavish ornamentation. Their finely detailed designs reveal the skill and aesthetic sensibilities of Japanese craftspeople.

This ropeway is located at Shinhotaka Onsen in the Okuhida Hot Spring Villages, deep in the mountains of Takayama. Passengers transfer between the No. 1 and No. 2 ropeways for a 3,200-meter journey through the sky from Shinhotaka Onsen Station to Nishi-Hotakaguchi Station.
After arriving at Nishi-Hotakaguchi Station at an elevation of 2,156 meters, head to the observation deck on the station roof. A 360-degree panorama of the Northern Japan Alps unfolds before you, including Mount Nishihotaka, Mount Yari, and Mount Kasa. The magnificent view earned two stars in the Michelin Green Guide Japan.

Hida-Furukawa Station is a station on the JR Takayama Main Line in Hida City, Gifu Prefecture. Its wooden station building opened in 1934 and features white walls and a tiled roof that blend into Furukawa’s traditional townscape. The adjacent tourist information center distributes brochures and provides a convenient starting point for exploring the town.
About a five-minute walk from the station are the Setogawa Canal, where carp swim, and a district of white-walled storehouses. Visitors can stroll through the area while experiencing the traditional atmosphere of Hida. Restaurants and accommodations are also available around the station, making it a convenient sightseeing base.

Located midway between Hida Takayama and the Okuhida Hot Spring Villages, the Hida Great Limestone Cave is one of Japan’s leading limestone caves, extending approximately 800 meters. It is also the country’s highest-elevation limestone cave open to tourists. Inside the cave, which nature formed over vast stretches of time from a coral reef dating back 250 million years, visitors can see delicate white stalactites. Another notable feature is the abundance of rare formations known as helictites, found here in greater numbers than in any other limestone cave in Japan.
The illuminated interior creates an otherworldly atmosphere. On March 1, 2017, the site was designated a Lovers’ Sanctuary. Couples can display Padlocks of Promise and votive plaques inscribed with their pledges.

Folk Restaurant Suzuya is located in Takayama, Gifu Prefecture. It is a folk-style restaurant housed in a renovated historic residence and has long been cherished by both travelers and local residents.
The restaurant features an extensive selection of dishes centered on Hida beef. One of the most popular is hoba miso steak, in which Hida beef, vegetables, and a specially blended miso are cooked on a large magnolia leaf to create a dish rich in both flavor and aroma. Another favorite is charcoal-grilled Hida beef, which slowly cooks rare cuts using the far-infrared heat of the charcoal. The menu also includes makiyaki, featuring concentrated Hida beef flavor paired with a sweet sauce.

Located within Hida Takayama’s popular Old Town, Hida Kotte Ushi is a takeout-only restaurant specializing in Hida beef nigiri sushi. Lines regularly form with customers seeking high-quality food to enjoy while walking through the neighborhood at an accessible price.
The restaurant serves carefully prepared Hida beef nigiri made with rare cuts of Grade 5 Hida beef, the highest grade available. No compromises are made in the other ingredients or seasonings used to bring out the beef’s full flavor, including Hida-grown Hitomebore rice and an original reduced soy sauce. Each order is prepared after it is placed, from slicing the beef to shaping, plating, and finishing the sushi, ensuring that it is always served freshly made.

CENTER4 HAMBURGERS is a specialty burger restaurant extremely popular with both Japanese customers and international travelers in Hida Takayama’s Old Town area, one of Gifu Prefecture’s leading tourist destinations. The restaurant is hidden at the back of a historic house on a street just outside the Old Town, and the sense of anticipation while searching for its entrance is part of the fun.
The menu offers 14 types of hamburgers, including a rich cheeseburger made with red cheddar, an avocado burger generously topped with fresh avocado, and a blue cheese burger served with optional honey. Each is generously portioned and full of flavor.

CAFÉ GOKAN is located inside Nishi-Hotakaguchi Station at the summit of the Shinhotaka Ropeway. Renovated and reopened in 2025, the café stands at a regional sightseeing hub and welcomes many travelers visiting the mountaintop area.
The café focuses on helping visitors feel closer to nature through a menu featuring locally produced ingredients. Its signature items include Itadaki Soft Serve and Itadaki Churros. The distinctive shape of the Itadaki Churros makes them especially popular for photos. The menu also includes items made with local wagyu, such as a Hida beef cutlet sandwich set. Everything is available for takeout, and many guests enjoy their food while admiring the outdoor scenery.

Takayama ramen is one local specialty worth trying during a visit to Hida Takayama. It is characterized by a simple combination of thin, curly noodles and a soy sauce-based broth and is known locally as chuka soba.
Located in the Takayama Kokubunji-dori Shopping Street between JR Takayama Station and Hida Takayama’s Old Town, Menya Shirakawa is one of the city’s most popular ramen restaurants, with lines forming almost every day. Since opening in 2012, it has gained a loyal following for bowls based on traditional Takayama chuka soba while pursuing a distinctive flavor of its own. The restaurant was also featured in the Michelin Guide Aichi, Gifu, Mie 2019 Special Edition.

Opened in 2018, Wat Hotel & Spa Hida Takayama is a stylish business hotel located about a seven-minute walk from JR Takayama Station. It is also close to the Old Town, making it an excellent base for exploring Hida Takayama.
The chic, relaxing guest rooms come in 12 types suited to stays ranging from business trips to vacations. All rooms offer Wi-Fi, Simmons mattresses, and a separate bathroom and toilet, although some rooms have compact modular bathrooms. A wide selection of other facilities and amenities supports a comfortable stay.

Spa Hotel Alpina Hida Takayama is about a three-minute walk from JR Takayama Station. In addition to its outstanding location within walking distance of the Old Town, this casual resort hotel is popular for its large natural hot spring bath supplied entirely by the hotel’s own source.
The large bath area is on the ninth and top floor. It includes an indoor observation bath overlooking Takayama, an open-air observation bath, a ceramic pot bath, and a reclining bath.
The guest rooms have natural, relaxing interiors and are available in nine types. Despite the hotel’s reasonable rates, every room offers generous space, including single rooms furnished with beds 140 centimeters wide.

Hoshokaku is a hot spring ryokan located on a hill in the nature-filled Shiroyama Park, about a three-minute walk from the Old Town.
It has been named among the 100 Best Hotels and Ryokan Selected by Travel Industry Professionals, organized by Ryoko Shimbun, for 16 consecutive years and is highly regarded for its warm, unpretentious hospitality.
The interior features tatami-covered corridors and Japanese-style furnishings showcasing the craftsmanship of Hida artisans. The comfort of walking barefoot through the property adds to the traditional travel experience.
The guest rooms and open-air baths overlook the cityscape, presenting a view that the region’s feudal lords may once have seen. At night, it transforms into an atmospheric panorama of city lights.
The illuminated footbath on the fifth floor is an especially relaxing place to admire the view.
Dinner is another highlight, featuring seasonal ingredients such as Hida beef, mountain vegetables, and river fish.