[Japan] Takayama One-Day Tour | Must-Visit 4 Major Attractions Map

In recent years, Hida Takayama has emerged as a popular travel destination in Japan. Located in Gifu Prefecture, Takayama serves as a crucial transit hub in the Hokuriku region. Its proximity to Shirakawa-go and the enchanting winter snow scenery make it a must-visit spot for tourists exploring Hokuriku. In this article, Philos shares a leisurely walking tour of Takayama’s main attractions, including Miyagawa Morning Market, Hida Kokubunji Temple, Takayama Jinya, and Kamisannomachi Takayama old township.

Philos’ Travel Notes

Takayama is a key stopover for visiting Shirakawa-go, Kamikochi, or Kanazawa in the Hokuriku region. It’s highly recommended as a transit point for Hokuriku travel, where you can spend a day before heading to other cities or attractions. Takayama itself is not very large, so you can cover the main city attractions in a day. If you stay until the evening, you can experience the old streets’ different charm, making it a visit well worth your time!
Recommended stay: One full day.

About Takayama

Located in the Chubu region of Japan, Takayama belongs to Gifu Prefecture. Positioned at the heart of the Hokuriku region, it is a significant transportation hub accessible by Hokuriku area buses or JR trains. The central old streets of Takayama preserve the appearance of a castle town and merchant town from the Edo period, earning it the nickname “Little Kyoto of Hida.”

Takayama is about a 2-hour drive from Nagoya and a little over an hour from Toyama or Shirakawa-go. Many people choose to spend a day in Takayama, exploring its rich historical atmosphere before moving on to other destinations. The Japan National Tourism Organization has a special introduction to the Hida Takayama area, which you can click here to view。

Takayama Travel Map, image source: Hida Takayama Tourism Website, original large image PDF file

The Takayama area is not large, so you don’t need additional transportation; you can visit the main attractions on foot. The map above centers around Takayama Station (including both JR and bus terminals). A leisurely loop around the main attractions takes about half a day. However, since the morning market is time-limited, those who wish to visit should plan their schedule accordingly.

How to Get to Takayama

If you plan to travel to Takayama, it is recommended to fly into Nagoya Airport or Komatsu Airport. From Taoyuan to Nagoya, you can choose China Airlines, Japan Airlines, or Cathay Pacific; to Komatsu Airport, you can choose EVA Air or Tigerair.

From Nagoya to Takayama

By JR Train: Depart from “Nagoya Station” to “Takayama Station.” Take the JR Limited Express Wide View Hida, with a total fare of 5,510 yen, including the limited express fee. The journey takes about 2 hours and 20 minutes. If you plan to travel in the Hokuriku region for several days, you can opt for the ” Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass,” which costs 14,000 yen and allows unlimited rides on designated trains for five consecutive days.

By Bus: From “Nagoya Station,” take the JR Tokai Bus, Meitetsu Bus, or Nohi Bus to “Takayama Bus Center.” The one-way fare from Nagoya Station to Takayama Bus Center is 2,980 yen, and the journey takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes. It’s worth noting that buses from Nagoya to Takayama require seat reservations, so you need to book online in advance. For those planning a multi-day Hokuriku trip, you can choose the ” Shoryudo Bus Pass,” available in three-day (7,500 yen) and five-day (13,000 yen) versions, depending on your itinerary.

From Komatsu Airport to Takayama

For a more relaxed journey from Komatsu Airport to Takayama, it is recommended to take a bus. First, take a bus from Komatsu Airport to “Kanazawa” (costing 1,130 yen), then transfer to a Nohi Bus to Takayama city center (costing 3,390 yen), which takes about 3 hours and 40 minutes. The “Shoryudo Bus” also supports this route, so you can choose based on your itinerary.

4 Must-Visit Spots in Takayama City

Takayama Hida Kokubunji Temple

Takayama Hida Kokubunji Temple is a Shingon Buddhism temple built by Emperor Shomu during the Nara period (710-794 AD), housing a statue of Yakushi Nyorai. The temple features several important cultural properties of Japan, such as the “Hondō,” “Three-Storied Pagoda,” and “Bell Tower Gate,” which are must-see highlights. Additionally, the temple has a massive ginkgo tree that turns a spectacular yellow in autumn. If you visit Takayama in the fall, don’t miss this sight.

Takayama Hida Kokubunji Temple

Opening Hours: Open all year round
Admission: Free
Address: 1-8 Sowamachi, Takayama, Gifu Prefecture, about a 5-minute walk from Takayama Station.
Recommended Stay Time: 1 hour

The temple gate of Takayama Kokubunji, covered in snow during winter, is a sight to behold. Be careful not to slip.

The six Jizo stone statues on the right side of the main gate are believed to be bodhisattvas saving beings from the six realms.

The Three-Storied Pagoda is a major landmark in Takayama city. Originally built with seven stories, it was reconstructed as a three-storied pagoda in 1821 after being destroyed by fire.

The massive ginkgo tree in the temple grounds is over a thousand years old. Even in winter, its bare branches are awe-inspiring.

The main hall, rebuilt during the Muromachi period, houses the seated statue of Yakushi Nyorai from the Fujiwara period and the standing statue of Kannon Bosatsu, both important cultural properties.

Miyagawa Morning Market

The Miyagawa Morning Market in Takayama is one of Japan’s three major morning markets (alongside Wajima Morning Market in Ishikawa Prefecture and Katsuura Morning Market in Chiba Prefecture) and is very popular. According to the sign at the market entrance, it operates from 7:00 AM to 12:00 PM on weekdays and from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM in winter, so be sure to check the hours if you plan to visit.

Due to heavy snowfall the previous night, the ground at the morning market was still wet in the morning.

The sides of the Miyagawa River next to the market were beautifully covered in snow, with the famous red bridge visible in the distance.

At the end of the market, you can find delicious puddings made from fresh milk.

Kamisannomachi & Takayama Old Township

Across the street from the Miyagawa Morning Market is Kamisannomachi, a historic district built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s retainer, Kanamori Nagachika. This area, especially Kamisannomachi, is famous for its well-preserved Edo-period buildings and is an important cultural preservation area.

Walking through Kamisannomachi leads you to Takayama Old Town, where you can find many unique shops selling souvenirs and local delicacies. If you have time, you can easily spend several hours here.