Travelomore
Takayama

Takayama

Chubu, Japan

Takayama

Chubu, Japan

Old townMountainsSake

Edo-period streets in the Japanese Alps

A mountain town in the Hida region, kept as three streets of Edo-period merchant houses and sake breweries. Wander the Sanmachi Suji lanes, stop at the Miyagawa morning market and see the thatched houses of the Hida Folk Village. It is also the best base for Shirakawa-go.

Ideal stay1–2 nightsOne night covers the old town and the morning market. A second lets you visit Shirakawa-go without rushing.
Getting thereAbout 2 hr 30 min from Nagoya by limited expressThe Hida express runs from Nagoya through the Hida mountains. From Kanazawa or Shirakawa-go there are direct buses, and Tokyo is about 5 hours via Nagoya.
Time zoneGMT+93 hr 30 min ahead of India

Getting around. The old town is compact and easiest on foot or by rental bicycle. The Hida Folk Village is a short bus ride away. Shirakawa-go is an hour by bus.

Part ofJapanHakone, Kanazawa, Kyoto, Osaka and 2 more cities

Things to do in Takayama

3 experiences from our activity catalogue

Takayama Old Town (Sanmachi Suji)Old quarterTakayama Old Town (Sanmachi Suji)Three preserved Edo-era merchant streets of dark wooden townhouses, sake breweries and craft shops.1 hrFreeMiyagawa Morning MarketMarketMiyagawa Morning MarketA riverside morning market where Hida farmers and artisans have sold produce, pickles and crafts along the Miyagawa for generations.45 minFree to browse · pay only for what you buyHida Folk VillageMuseumHida Folk VillageAn open-air museum of more than 30 relocated Edo-period farmhouses, including gassho-zukuri thatched roofs, set around a hillside pond.2 hr¥700 adult · ¥200 child (6–15)

Packages that include Takayama

Ready-to-book itineraries with Takayama on the route

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Japan Scenic & Alpine Route10 nightsJapan Scenic & Alpine RouteTokyo · 3NTakayama · 2NKyoto · 3NOsaka · 2NEleven days adding the Hida mountains and Shirakawa-goFrom₹1,95,000 per personView package

Hand-picked hotels

Stays our experts book in Takayama

Weather and best time to visit

Tap a month to see the details

Best time to visit

April

Sanno Matsuri on 14–15 April, with festival floats in the streets.

High / Low16° / 4°CRainfall195 mm
Best timeGoodOff seasonOpen-Meteo historical weather (ERA5), 2015–2024 averages
SpringMarch – MaySanno Matsuri

Cool at first, then mild. Cherry blossom arrives in mid-April, with the Sanno Matsuri festival floats on 14–15 April.

SummerJune – AugustCooler than the plains

The rainy season runs through June and into July. August is warm by day but cooler than Kyoto or Tokyo, with fresh mornings at the market.

AutumnSeptember – NovemberAutumn festival

The Takayama Autumn Festival is held on 9–10 October. Leaves colour the surrounding hills through October and early November.

WinterDecember – FebruarySnow country

Heavy snow settles on the old town and the farmhouses. It is cold, quiet and very photogenic, but roads and trains can be slowed by weather.

More cities in Japan

Often paired with Takayama on the same trip

All of Japan
KyotoKyotoTemples, tea houses and a thousand years of capitalOsakaOsakaJapan’s kitchen: neon canals, street food and a castleTokyoTokyoNeon crossings, old temples and the best food in JapanHakoneHakoneHot springs, Lake Ashi and views of Mount FujiKanazawaKanazawaSamurai lanes, tea houses and a famous garden