TAKAYAMA

2 hours 5 minutes by car from Matsumoto - directions

Takayama is renowned for its beautifully preserved Edo-period streets, particularly in the Sanmachi Suji district, the city offers a glimpse into traditional Japanese architecture and culture. ​The city is also famous for its biannual Takayama Festival, held in spring and autumn, featuring ornate floats and vibrant processions that attract visitors from all over, the floats can be seen year around in the Matsuri Museum.

Explore Takayama Old Town

Takayama Old Town, located in Gifu Prefecture, is a beautifully preserved area that transports visitors back to Japan’s Edo period. The town is famous for its well-maintained traditional wooden buildings, merchant houses, sake breweries, and charming streets.

• Neko no tsuki - I like Cats Rescue Cat Cafe

  directions
  Open: 11:00am ~ 5:00pm
  Closed: Mondays

  Neko no Tsuki Sakurayama is a heartwarming rescue cat café housed in a beautifully renovated 130-year-old traditional townhouse. The café offers a serene space where visitors can interact with adoptable cats rescued from the Hida region, and the establishment is divided into two areas: one for enjoying handcrafted beverages and another for spending quality time with the feline residents.

  Cost: Adult: 30 minutes ¥700 / 1 hour ¥1,200 / cat snacks ¥100
  Check out their drinks menu

• World War II Museum

  directions
  Open: Saturdays and Sundays
  Closed: Monday ~ Friday

  The Takayama WWII Museum is a privately operated institution and is dedicated to preserving and showcasing artifacts from World War II. The museum features a collection of military uniforms, flags, photographs, and personal items from the era, providing visitors with a tangible connection to the historical events of the time. The exhibits are thoughtfully arranged to offer insights into the experiences of those who lived through the war. The museum is managed by an individual deeply committed to historical preservation, who has personally curated the collection to educate the public about this significant period in history.

• Takayama Shōwa-kan Museum

directions
Open: 9:00am ~ 5:00pm
Closed: No Closures

The Takayama Shōwa-kan Museum is a unique museum dedicated to preserving and showcasing the culture and lifestyle of the Shōwa era (1926-1989). The museum features a collection of artifacts, everyday items, and exhibits that reflect the daily life and social changes during this period in Japan.

Cost: Adult ¥1,000

• Explore the old Townscape of Sanmachi Suji

directions
Open: 24/7
Closed: No Closures

Sanmachi Suji is the historic district of Takayama known for its well-preserved Edo-period streets lined with wooden merchant houses. This charming area, often called "Little Kyoto," is famous for its sake breweries, craft shops, and traditional tea houses.

• 🍴Cafe Ao

  directions
  Open: 10:00am ~ 5:00pm
  Closed: Wednesdays & Thursdays

  Café Ao, nestled in Takayama’s old town, is a cozy and aesthetically pleasing spot known for its relaxed ambiance and creative drinks. The café serves a range of locally inspired treats, including matcha-based beverages and desserts that highlight seasonal ingredients.

• Hirata Folk Art Musuem

  directions
  Open: 9:00am ~ 5:00pm
  Closed: No Closures

  The Hirata Folk Art Museum is a small but fascinating museum housed in a preserved merchant house from the Edo period. It showcases a collection of folk crafts, tools, and everyday items used by the people of the Hida region, offering insights into traditional Japanese life.

  Cost ¥300

• Takayama's Oldest Sake Brewery Tour & Tasting - Hirase Sake Brewery

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Learn more about traditional Japanese sake on a brewery tour in Takayama. While the city is home to several sake breweries, you’ll visit the oldest, which is also the largest. See how the alcoholic drink is made, and learn some of the tricks that go into making it. This is a great rainy or snowy-day activity in the mountains.

Start Time: 4:00pm
Duration: 30 minutes
Cost: $191.42 (for the whole group)
Prior reservation is required - booking confirmation

• 🍴 Aji-no-Yohei - Steakhouse in a Sake Brewery

directions
Open: Lunch 11:00am ~ 2:00pm / Dinner 5:00pm ~ 8:00pm
Closed: No Closures

Located in Funasaka Brewery, a sake brewery with a 200-year history, Aji-no-Yohei is a well-loved Steakhouse famed for its authentic local cuisine and Hida beef, prepared in various styles to highlight its exceptional flavor and tenderness.

Check out their menu
Make a reservation
(online reservation available on the Japanese site only, please let me know if you’d like me to make a reservation on your behalf.)

Head to Takayama Accommodation

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• Hotel Details

  The Machiya Hotel Takayama - directions
  Contact: +81577577000
  Address: 3 Chome-50 Hachikenmachi, Takayama, Gifu 506-0012, Japan

  ‘Private Parking’ ‘1,000 yen per day’ *parking space has been reserved

  ‘Entire 2-bedroom house with Open Air Cedar Onsen Bath’ - 10 minute walk from hotel check-in desk.’
  booking confirmation