Takayama

A quiet mountain town, Takayama descends into raucous revelry twice a year when tens of thousands of visitors flock from all over Japan for its legendary spring and autumn festivals. Each April and October, large, elaborate yatai floats are paraded through the streets by locals in traditional dress, and the Takayama festival is generally thought to be one of the most spectacular in Japan.

The rest of the year, visitors can enjoy one of Japan’s most traditional towns. Famous for timber and carpentry, Takayama boasts a beautifully preserved old town, with a number of museums dedicated to the area’s crafts.

Nearby, the UNESCO protected Shirakawago provides the chance to see traditional mountain villages, with steep “praying hands” thatched roofs and rice paddies backing on to lush mountains.

Experiences in Takayama

Takayama’s Sake Breweries

Takayama’s clear mountain water and high quality rice are the perfect combination for brewing sake, (nihon-shu in Japanese). The breweries on San-machi Suji can be easily identified by their traditional sugidama (balls of cedar leaves). Although special tasting events are...

Takayama Morning Markets

Takayama’s morning markets start at 6am in the summer months and an hour later in winter. There are two; the Jinya-mae Market in front of the Takayama Jinya and the Miya-gawa Market on the east bank of Miya River, between...

Takayama festival

A quiet mountain town much of the year, Takayama's Spring and Autumn festivals are two of Japan's best, and draw crowds of revellers from across the country and overseas. Like Kyoto's Gion Matsuri, the Takayama Festival centers around a parade...

Accommodation in Takayama

Wanosato Ryokan

The luxurious rural ryokan Wanosato has only eight Japanese-style rooms, which makes for a pleasant, intimate atmosphere that some larger properties lack. The thatched roofs of the former farmhouses and large gardens help to create a peaceful ambiance for guests,...

Ryokan Tanabe

This traditional Japanese ryokan is located near Takayama rail station. Its interior was designed and equipped by local craftsmen. In the lounge, you can find a traditional hearth built into the floor. The ryokan’s two public baths (Rock Bath and...

Spa Hotel Alpina

Opened on September 9th, 2008, the SPA HOTEL ALPINA is a hotel that offers both the convenience of inns and motels and the luxury comfort of resort hotels. With a prime central location, a 3-minute walk from JR Takayama station...

Honjin Hiranoya Bekkan

Situated on the elegant Miya River, this characterful ryokan quietly sits by one of the town’s famous attractions, the red Nakabashi bridge. All rooms are furnished in traditional Japanese style, and you can enjoy their relaxing onsen baths as well...

Best Western Hotel Takayama

Located in the heart of old Takayama, the Best Western Hotel Takayama is within walking distance of the train station, as well as being within easy reach of the most popular tourist sights: the jinya (an old government outpost in...