Things to do in Takayama City

No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Hidakochi

Shinhotaka Ropeway

The Shinhotaka Cable Car is located in Okuhida Onsen Village, Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture, Japan. It is the only double-decker cable car in Japan. It is 3,200 meters long and has a height difference of 1,039 meters, which is also quite large in the world. The cable car is divided into two sections, overlooking the magnificent snow scenery of the Hida Mountains, known as the "Northern Alps". The observation deck on the top of the mountain offers a 360-degree panoramic view, making it a great place to enjoy the snow and outdoor activities in winter. In addition, the natural scenery and hot springs near the cable car are also worth a visit.

No. 2 of Best Things to Do in Hidakochi

Hidatakayama Sanmachi Historic District

Hidatakayama Sanmachi Historic District is located on the east bank of the Miyagawa River that flows through Takayama City, and was once a prosperous merchant town. In particular, the area of Kami-Sannomachi, Kami-Ninomachi, and Kami-Ichinomachi, known as "", features well-preserved Edo-period architecture and is a must-visit destination when coming to Takayama. This area is an "Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings". Hidatakayama Sanmachi Historic District features small canals with murmuring water beneath lattice windows, sugidama (cedar balls) hanging in sake breweries, and rows of noren curtains from large merchant houses and old shops. Traditional candy stores, craft shops, and vendors selling signature savory-sweet grilled rice dumplings and Hida beef skewers line the streets, attracting visitors from all over.

Hidakochi

Hidakochi is located in the northern part of Gifu Prefecture, in the heart of the Hida region. It has preserved the form of a castle town and merchant town since the Edo period, which is why it is known as the "Little Kyoto of Hida." In addition, you can stroll through the "Sanmachi" district built during the Meiji and Taisho eras, taste local delicacies such as Hida beef and Takayama ramen, and admire handicrafts that embody the superb skills of Hida artisans. Hidakochi is full of charm everywhere. Since the Edo period, this place has flourished as a central town. Today, lattice windows and hearths create a unique atmosphere. Simply strolling here is a delight, with local restaurants, cafes, sake breweries, and general stores utilizing traditional machiya architecture lining the streets, showcasing a rich and diverse charm. You won't be able to resist tasting local flavors like hoba miso. Additionally, rickshaws travel through the streets of the old town, and listening to the rickshaw pullers' commentary while enjoying the breeze on your face is a pure pleasure. Takayama Festival Takayama holds a large festival twice a year, in the spring and fall. The spring festival is the Sanno Festival held in April, and the fall festival is the Hachiman Festival held in October. These two festivals are collectively known as the Takayama Festival. The Takayama Festival is counted among Japan's three most beautiful festivals, along with the Gion Festival in Kyoto and the Chichibu Night Festival in Saitama. The Takayama Festival originated during the era of the Hida lord Kanamori (1585–1692), and the use of floats dates back to 1718. The ingenious mechanical dolls and floats with special mechanisms are artistic creations that combine traditional Japanese formal beauty with exquisite art and craftsmanship. After nightfall, each float (yatai) is lit with over a hundred lanterns, adorning the solemn and magnificent Takayama night. Old Town On the east bank of the Miya River, which flows through Hidakochi, there is an old street. In the Sanmachi district in the middle of this old street, residences from the Edo period are well-preserved. This old street still clearly outlines the shadow of the castle town "Takayama." When visiting, you can see traditional sake breweries and old houses with protruding lattice doors and windows. This area has been designated as an "Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings." Morning Market Takayama's morning market is one of the three major morning markets in Japan. The morning markets are held along the Miya River and in front of Takayama Jinya. The Miyagawa Morning Market is located along a stretch of approx. 350m of the Miya River, which flows through the center of the town, from Kaji-bashi Bridge to Yayoi-bashi Bridge, and features over 60 stalls. On the riverside near the street, there are open-air shops selling vegetables, fruits, pickles, spices, and more, while the side facing the street mainly features shops selling snacks and handicrafts. In addition to local Takayama handicrafts like Sarubobo and Ichii Itto-bori wood carvings, there are also chopsticks and other small Japanese items. In winter or on rainy days, there may only be about 10 stalls. The other morning market at Takayama Jinya began 300 years ago. It was formed as a market for sericulture farmers to buy mulberry leaves, and even today, only farmers are allowed to operate there. There are stalls selling fruits and vegetables picked early in the morning, as well as dried or homemade pickles. The supplier will even tell you how to eat and store them. It has a scale of approx. 40 to 50 stalls, and you can also see rare ingredients such as taro stems, carrot leaves, and wild vegetables. Both morning markets end around noon. If you are staying in Hidakochi, you can head out around 6:00 AM to take a look and go for a walk. You can see locals wearing "noragi" (traditional work clothes) or "kappogi" (aprons that modern Japanese housewives also wear), and see how they energetically start setting up their stalls. Takayama Jinya A "jinya" refers to the place where the gundai and daikan (official titles) governed during the Edo period; the government office, as well as the residence and warehouse of the gundai (daikan), are collectively called a jinya. The Hida daikan was promoted to Hida gundai in 1777, ranking alongside the three major gundai government offices of the time (Kanto, Saigoku, and Mino), and became an important territory under the direct control of the shogunate. It is said that among the more than 60 gundai and daikan offices that remained across the country at the end of the shogunate, only Takayama Jinya preserves the original architecture. As a rare historical site in the country, it was designated as a national historic site in 1929. Hida Folk Village This open-air museum has relocated and restored old and precious folk houses from the Hida region, including gassho-zukuri houses. It features an experience zone where you can feel the seasonal rituals passed down from ancient times, allowing you to concretize your travel memories and take them home. Highly recommended is the experience of making "Sarubobo," a specialty that represents Hidakochi. Sarubobo means "little monkey that brings happiness." In the past, mothers would hand-sew a Sarubobo for their children to wish for their happiness and growth.

2026 Asia 50 - Hot Springs Attractions

Okuhida Onsengo

Okuhida Onsengo is the collective name for five hot spring areas scattered throughout the Northern Alps, including Hirayu Onsen, Fukujionsenokuhi Da Hot Spring, Shinhirayu Onsen, Tochio Onsen, and Okuhida Onsen Shin-Hotaka Onsen Town. Each of the five hot springs has its own unique character, with water qualities ranging from simple thermal springs to bicarbonate, sulfur, and chloride springs. The water colors vary from colorless and transparent to brownish and cloudy white, making them perfect for hopping between springs to compare the experiences. The hot spring town boasts over 100 sources, with a discharge volume that ranks among the highest in Japan. The hot spring town is located at an altitude of approximately 800–1,300m, making summer cool and pleasant—an ideal time for escaping the heat and hiking; in the fall, the mountains are covered in vibrant foliage, and viewing the autumn leaves from an open-air bath is a unique experience here; in winter, the area is covered in white snow, offering a special charm to bathing in the snow.

No. 7 of Ski Resorts in Gifu Prefecture

Hida Hoonokidaira Ski Resort

Located in Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture, Japan, Honokidaira Ski Resort is a ski resort featuring high-quality snow and diversified ski slopes, suitable for players of different levels from beginners to advanced skiers. The ski resort has many ski slopes of different difficulty levels, from the beginner slopes with gentle slopes suitable for beginners to practice basic sliding skills, to the intermediate and advanced slopes with excellent snow quality and extremely challenging, which can fully meet the needs of ski enthusiasts of different levels. The ski resort is 1,350 meters above sea level, with a total length of about 3 kilometers. The ultra-long ski slopes have a long continuous sliding distance, allowing skiers to enjoy the thrill of speeding on the snow. In addition to the excellent skiing conditions, the surrounding ecological environment of the ski resort is ideal and the scenery is magnificent. The ski resort is well-equipped with comfortable rest areas, equipment rentals, and restaurants that provide authentic Japanese cuisine. After skiing, visitors can taste hot ramen and delicious Japanese food to restore their physical strength. Whether you want to experience the fun of skiing or feel the tranquility and beauty of the Japanese mountains in winter, this ski resort is a good choice.

No. 8 of Ski Resorts in Gifu Prefecture

Hirayu Onsen Ski Area

Hirayu Onsen Ski Resort is located in Takayama, Gifu Prefecture, Japan. It is an ideal place to combine skiing and hot springs. Set against the beautiful backdrop of the Northern Alps, the ski resort offers a variety of slopes suitable for skiers of all levels. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced skier, you can find a challenge here. The ski resort is well-equipped and has a rental service for visitors to rent ski equipment. Skiing lessons are also available to help novices quickly master the basic skills. After skiing, visitors can enjoy the nearby Hirayu Onsen, where they can relieve a day's fatigue with a hot spring bath and experience traditional Japanese hot spring culture. The ski resort is about an hour's drive from the center of Takayama, and visitors can take a bus or drive there. The temperature in the alpine area is lower in winter, so visitors are advised to wear warm clothes and pay attention to icy roads.

No. 1 of Fall Viewing Attractions in Nagano Prefecture

Kamikōchi

Kamikōchi is located in the upper reaches of Azusa River in the western part of Nagano Prefecture. It is surrounded by the Hotaka Mountains, Yaitake Mountains, and Changnen Mountains. It's charm and wonder will be unforgettable once you visit it. It was introduced to the world by the British missionary and mountaineer Wurst Weston in the 19th century, and it is also known by many mountaineers as a famous scenic spot in Japan.

No. 1 of Family-friendly Attractions in Gifu Prefecture

Mont Deus Hida-kuraiyama Snow Park

Mont Deus Hida-kuraiyama Snow Parkhas a variety of slopes of varying difficulty, suitable for skiers of all levels. It also has a hot spring area and a restaurant.

Miyagawa Morning Markets

Takayama's morning markets are one of the three major morning markets in Japan. The morning markets are held along the Miyagawa River and in front of Takayama Jinya. The Miyagawa Morning Markets are located along an approx. 350-meter stretch of the Miyagawa River, which flows through the center of town, from Kaji-bashi Bridge to Yayoi-bashi Bridge, with over 60 stalls. On the riverbank side near the street, there are open-air stalls selling vegetables, fruits, pickles, spices, and more, while the opposite side, along the street, features shops selling snacks and crafts. In addition to Takayama specialty crafts such as Sarubobo and Ichii Itto-bori, there are also chopsticks and other Japanese-style trinkets.

No. 12 of Ski Resorts in Gifu Prefecture

Hida Funayama Resort Arkopia