Travel back in time to the Edo period in Hida Takayama! Old Streets in Hida Takayama

  • Gifu
  • Sightseeing
Old streets in autumn. Image courtesy of Takayama City Tourism Division.
The "Old Town Streets," a classic sightseeing spot in Hida Takayama where you can feel the atmosphere of the Edo period, is a historical district that developed as a castle town and merchant town in the Edo period. One of the attractions of this area is the old-fashioned atmosphere that makes you feel as if you have time-traveled back to the Edo period, and the scenery that can be seen changes with the seasons.

A treasure house of history and culture that preserves the atmosphere of the Edo period

In the eastern part of the Miya River that runs through the center of the city, there are streets that retain the atmosphere of the Edo period, and the three streets of Uemachi and Shitamachi have been selected as a national Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings.
There are many townhouses, sake breweries, and other buildings that have remained from the Edo period that evoke a sense of history and tradition. Takayama's townhouses are characterized by "dekoshi," or latticework that extends outward from the house, with an irrigation channel running under the eaves, and sake breweries with "sugi-dama," or cedar balls made of cedar leaves (also known as "sake-bayashi") hanging down, creating a tasteful landscape.

During the daytime, the Sanmachi Street is crowded with tourists enjoying the tasteful scenery and take-out food, but the area is relatively empty in the early morning before the stores open, so it is recommended for those who want to enjoy taking pictures in a calm atmosphere. The area is within walking distance of Takayama Station, about a 12-minute walk, but we encourage you to stay overnight and walk around the old town early in the morning or at night. If you do so, be careful not to disturb the residents and stroll quietly.
Old rows of houses

Naka Bridge

The "Naka-bashi Bridge" is a must-see spot when you come to the old streets! This bright vermilion bridge over the Miya River blends in with the surrounding nature and is one of Hida Takayama's most representative landscapes. The bright red color catches the eye on sunny days and even on cloudy days, making you want to take pictures.

Depending on the season, the area is lit up at night, creating a fantastic atmosphere. The beautiful accent added to the old townscape in harmony with nature in each of the four seasons attracts visitors. It is especially well known for its cherry blossoms in spring, and visitors can enjoy the contrast between the gorgeous floats crossing the bridge and the cherry blossoms during the Spring Takayama Festival held every year from April 14 to 15.
Red Nakabashi Bridge Image courtesy of Takayama City Tourism Division

Open every day! Interact with locals at two morning markets

There are two morning markets in the old town, the Hida Takayama Miyagawa Morning Market and the Takayama Jinya-mae Morning Market, each with a different atmosphere. One of the three major morning markets in Japan, this is where you can encounter the traditional foods and warmth of Hida Takayama. Visitors can enjoy fresh vegetables, fruits, flowers, and other seasonal specialties, as well as genuine conversation with the local "moms".

Hida Takayama Miyagawa Morning Market

The Hida Takayama Miyagawa Morning Market has about 15 to 20 stores along the 700-meter sidewalk from Kaji Bridge to Yayoi Bridge on the east bank of the Miyagawa River that flows through Takayama City. Fresh local vegetables and fruits, Hida handicrafts, etc. are lined up, and I was surprised to see the market quite crowded with international visitors from the morning!
Hida Takayama Miyagawa Morning Market
Hida Takayama Miyagawa Morning Market Image courtesy of Takayama City Tourism Division

Takayama Jinya-mae Morning Market

The Takayama Jinya-mae Asaichi, as the name suggests, is a morning market held in the plaza in front of the Takayama Jinya, and is directly connected to a tourist attraction. Visitors can experience a relaxed atmosphere with seasonal vegetables grown by local farmers, as well as handmade pickles and miso (bean paste).
Takayama Jinya-mae Morning Market Image courtesy of Takayama City Tourism Division
The best time to visit the morning market is between 8:00 and 9:00 am. There are fewer people and you can fully enjoy shopping and talking with local mothers. Even if it is your first time to visit a morning market, it is okay! All the store owners were warm and welcoming, and we were able to talk with them about their products and many other things, including the history of Takayama and their recommendations on how to eat.
Why not start your day with a pleasant walk through the two morning markets?
Takayama Jinya-mae Morning Market

You can also try sake tasting! Tour of Hida Takayama's Local Sake

Seven historic sake breweries stand side by side on the old streets, and it is a rarity that all of them can be visited on foot. In the old streets, where the atmosphere of the Edo period remains strong, sake tasting is available at each brewery. Each sake brewery has its own unique characteristics, so try to find your favorite sake. It is sure to be a memorable part of your trip to Hida Takayama.

In June every year, an event called "Hida Takayama Sake Brewery Nonbei Festival" is held, so if you are interested in this event, please check it out!
Hida Takayama Sake Image courtesy of Takayama City Tourism Division

Enjoy the taste of Hida Takayama at Old Town Gourmet

There are many local gourmet foods in Hida, such as Hida beef, Takayama ramen, and mitarashi dumplings, but you can enjoy all of these at once in the old townscape!
When you come to Hida Takayama, you must taste Hida beef. You can enjoy various gourmet Hida beef dishes such as Hida beef nigiri and grilled skewers. In addition, Takayama is also famous for its Mitarashi dumplings, which are characterized by their non-sweet soy sauce flavor. In the old streets, you can enjoy the local flavor at various dumpling shops.

With such a wide variety of take-out gourmet food available, the area is dotted with spots where you can enjoy delicious local delicacies, making it the perfect place to savor them between sightseeing tours. Enjoy them by the stores and take your garbage to the store where you purchased them.
Hida beef nigiri Image courtesy of Takayama City Tourism Division
Mitarashi Dango Image courtesy of Takayama City Tourism Division

What is Takayama City's "with Respect" manner awareness program?

The old townscape, which retains the atmosphere of the Edo period, is a popular tourist spot visited by many travelers from Japan and abroad. However, with the increase in the number of tourists, issues related to travelers' manners, such as littering, use of public toilets, and noise problems at night, have also become more pronounced.

Under these circumstances, Takayama City wants tourists to spend time with respect for local residents, the environment, and traditions, and has adopted the catchphrase "with Respect" as a slogan for educating tourists about good manners.

with Respect

Care for Locals, Environment, and Tradition
"Care for Locals, Environment, and Tradition"
Walk Mindfully
"Be mindful of your surroundings and walk with respect"
Carry Your Trash
"Help keep the town clean by taking your trash home Stay Quiet
Stay Quiet
"When the sun goes down, stay quiet for the sake of the neighborhood"

Local people welcome visitors to Takayama from far away with warmth and smiles, so when visiting Takayama, visitors should also be respectful of the traditional culture, townscape, and nature!
Takayama City official Youtube channel video "Welcome to Takayama"

Continue this scenery to the future

The "old townscape" developed as a castle town and merchant town during the Edo period.
Why not visit Hida Takayama, where you can feel the warmth of the local people, with respect for the residents who have maintained and inherited this landscape, and with the thought that you, as a tourist, are a part of the future?
Hida Takayama's official website is here

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