A Local’s Guide to Hida Takayama: What to Eat and See in One Day

Hida Takayama, located in Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture, is surrounded by mountains. The city has a population of 88,000 and attracts 4.6 million tourists a year. It is famous for its old townscape and the Takayama Festival held in spring and fall.

In this article, a writer from Takayama City will guide you on a one-day tour of Hida Takayama.
This guide doesn’t just show you the sights; it includes some of the best spots that locals truly love.
Our journey begins at JR Takayama Station in the morning.

Start with a Local Treat: Gohei Mochi at “Madoka”

Just a one-minute walk from JR Takayama Station, your first stop is “Madoka” for an authentic Gohei Mochi.
While many shops in Takayama sell Gohei Mochi, most are mass-produced for tourists. However, for locals, the most beloved flavor is *aburae* (perilla seed), and Madoka is one of the few places that serves it.
A friendly grandmother grills each one by hand with great care.
The reasonable price of 180 yen per piece is also a plus.
It has a unique, nutty flavor different from regular sesame, but its fragrant and mild taste makes it easy to eat and a great snack for children.
Perilla is also attracting attention for its health benefits.

A Moment of Peace at Hida Kokubunji Temple

After your snack, take a short 4-minute walk to Hida Kokubunji Temple.
The temple is home to a stunning three-storied pagoda and a magnificent ginkgo tree over 1,200 years old.
In autumn, the ginkgo leaves turn a brilliant yellow, making it one of the most popular spiritual spots in Hida Takayama for both its beauty and tranquil atmosphere.

Experience Local Life at the Miyagawa Morning Market

A five-minute walk from Hida Kokubunji Temple brings you to the center of tourism in Hida Takayama.
Let’s enjoy the Hida Takayama Miyagawa Morning Market, open from 7 a.m. to noon.
The Miyagawa Morning Market has been held almost daily since the Edo period, selling local vegetables and folk crafts.
You’ll hear the lively Hida dialect of the local vendors.
It’s a rare opportunity to buy vegetables directly from farmers at a great price!
It’s also nice to see the faces of the producers.
You can find a variety of other products at the market as well.
Just taking a stroll around is fun!

Sake Tasting at Funasaka Sake Brewery

After enjoying the morning market, we arrive at the “Old Town,” one of the most popular tourist attractions in Hida Takayama.
Let’s take a stroll along the main street, Kamisannomachi.
In Kami-Sannomachi, the electrical wires are buried underground, preserving the historic atmosphere.
Feeling nostalgic, let’s sample the sake “Miyama Kiku” at Funasaka Sake Brewery.
Established in 1703, it is the oldest of the long-established sake breweries in the area.
Funasaka Sake Brewery offers free tastings, but for 300 yen, you can enjoy sake in a traditional wooden *masu* box, which you get to keep!
Plus, you can use the stylish bar space in the converted brewery.
What a luxury!
Hida’s sake is truly delicious.
You can buy some snacks at the souvenir shop in the store, allowing you to enjoy Hida sake at a reasonable price.
It’s a great choice for souvenirs and gifts!

Lunch with a View at Musashi in Shiroyama Park

Feeling pleasantly warm from the sake, our next destination is Shiroyama Park, built on the ruins of Takayama Castle.
We slowly walked up the path next to the Shinmei parking lot.
After a 10-minute walk, we arrived at “Shiroyama Park”!
The spacious park is a great place for families with children.
By the way, there is a bronze statue of Nagachika Kanamori, the first lord of the Takayama domain, who was revered as a great ruler.
But the real reason locals climb this hill isn’t just for the park.
Let’s have *yakitori* (grilled chicken) and ramen at Musashi, a famous eatery in Shiroyama Park.
Takayama Ramen features curly noodles in a soy sauce-based soup.
While many ramen shops have simple toppings, Musashi adds wild vegetables for a stylish touch.
On this weekday, the restaurant was filled with Hida locals enjoying beer and yakitori.
Feeling the gentle breeze, we enjoyed our lunch while overlooking the city of Takayama.
Is there anything more appetizing than Musashi’s yakitori with its sweet sauce?
With reasonable prices for yakitori (500 yen) and Chinese noodles (600 yen), this restaurant is a beloved oasis for locals.

Learn History at the Takayama Museum of History and Art

Once you’re full and satisfied, let’s head back to the old streets through the charming alleyways. This is one of the simple pleasures of walking through Hida Takayama.
A friendly reminder: as you wander, please be respectful of the local residents’ privacy.
After safely descending the hill, our next stop is Kami-ichino-machi.
Let’s visit the Takayama Museum of History and Art.
Admission is free, and visitors can learn about the history of the Takayama Castle Town and admire displays of traditional culture and crafts.
Unfortunately, photography was not allowed inside to protect the exhibits, but you are welcome to stop by.
It will definitely change your perspective on exploring the town.

A Japanese Parfait at Fukyuan

It’s time for a snack.
While there are many stylish cafes in Hida Takayama, let’s take the road from Kami-ichino-machi north through the old streets and into the alleyways of Shimo-ichino-machi.
At the end of an alley, you’ll find the hideaway cafe “Fukyuan“.
You can tell it’s a famous spot just by its appearance.
Let’s have their renowned “Fukyu Parfait”.
It’s a special parfait packed with Japanese sweets including kinako (roasted soybean flour) soft serve, matcha ice cream, warabi mochi, anko (sweet red bean paste), and shiratama dango!
In addition to table seating, the restaurant also has a Japanese-style tatami room.
You can enjoy the slow, peaceful flow of time here.
It’s a great place to stop by when you’re tired from walking around town.

Visit Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine

We’ve walked quite a distance, but a visit to Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine is a must.
The annual festival, held on October 9 and 10, is called the “Takayama Autumn Festival” and attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors.
For Takayama residents, the new year traditionally begins with a visit to this shrine.
I love to purify myself in the solemn atmosphere, pay my respects, and take a deep breath.

Relaxing with Hida Milk by the Miyagawa River

On the way back from Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine, let’s take a break along the Miyagawa River, which runs through Hida Takayama.
The area of the bustling morning market becomes a relaxing riverside path in the afternoon.
This is a great way to experience the tranquil beauty of Hida Takayama. The Miyagawa River is beautiful, with a riverbed so clear you can see the bottom.
After descending to the riverbank, let’s relax and enjoy a bottle of Hida Milk.
It comes in several flavors, but I can assure you it’s delicious.
You can buy Hida Milk at any convenience store or supermarket in the Hida area.
I highly recommend this for children.

Finish with Chitose’s Yakisoba, a Local Soul Food

This is the final stop on our day trip to Hida Takayama.
Our last meal is Chitose’s yakisoba, the soul food of the locals.
It’s no exaggeration to say that all Takayama residents grew up eating Chitose-style yakisoba.
If it’s your first time, be sure to try the meat and egg yakisoba (570 yen).
There’s no need to explain how delicious it is, as the pictures speak for themselves.
It’s quite a large portion, but you’ll finish it in no time.

After filling your stomach, you head home happy.
The tour of Hida Takayama isn’t over until you’re on your way home.
Be sure to catch your train or bus at the right time.

Is a day trip to Hida Takayama enough?

The tour of Hida Takayama was well worth it, even for a day trip.
However, I only introduced one of Hida Takayama’s many sightseeing routes! There’s so much more to see.

MAP

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