Nestled amidst the picturesque Hida region, Takayama offers a captivating blend of traditional charm and natural beauty. While a day trip can provide a glimpse of its allure, spending two days here allows for a truly immersive experience, so get ready to enjoy this 2 days Takayama itinerary.
Wander through the well-preserved streets of Takayama’s old town, lined with historic sake breweries, boutique shops, and enticing food stalls. From sampling the renowned Hida beef to sipping on local sake, you’ll discover the town’s authentic flavors.
How to get to Takayama
Takayama is a picturesque town nestled within the Japanese Alps, offering a serene escape from bustling city life. Here’s a detailed guide on how to reach this enchanting destination:
From Kanazawa
Bus: This is the most convenient option. Several highway coach buses depart daily from Kanazawa to Takayama.
Tip: The bus often stops at Shirakawa-go, a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its traditional thatched-roof houses. You can explore this charming village before continuing your journey to Takayama.
Train: While less common, it’s possible to take a train from Kanazawa to Takayama. However, this route usually involves multiple transfers and may take longer than the bus.
From Tokyo, Osaka, or Kyoto
Train: The most efficient way to reach Takayama from these major cities is by train. Take the JR Tokaido Shinkansen to Nagoya, then transfer to the JR Hida limited express train to Takayama. This journey typically takes around 4.5 hours from Tokyo or 3.5 hours from Osaka.
Note: Booking tickets in advance, especially for popular routes like Kanazawa to Takayama, is highly recommended to secure your preferred travel times.
Getting Around Takayama
Regardless of whether you arrive in Takayama by bus or train, you’ll end up at the same location, as the JR Takayama Station and Takayama Hida Bus Center are conveniently situated side-by-side.
From this central point, it’s just a short 15-minute stroll to reach Takayama’s historic Old Town. The town itself is quite walkable, allowing you to access most of the main attractions on foot. You can explore the town primarily on foot, but if you want to reach the nearby Hida Folk Village (Hida no Sato) you can take the local tourist bus (Sarubobo Bus) .
For more details on using the tourist bus to get around Takayama, please refer to the information provided here.
How Long Do You Need in Takayama?
Staying for two nights will give you one full day in Takayama, which is sufficient to enjoy the city. As Takayama is a compact town, you can comfortably see the main sights and attractions within this timeframe. If you choose to spend an extra day, you could consider taking a day trip to one of the nearby attractions – some ideas are provided below.
Finding Your Perfect Stay in Takayama
Takayama offers a variety of accommodations to suit every budget and preference. Here’s a breakdown of the popular areas and some recommended options:
Where to Stay
- Near the Station: This area is ideal for budget and mid-range travelers, with easy access to transportation.
- Old Town: This charming area offers a more luxurious experience with traditional architecture and boutique hotels.
Recommended Accommodations:
- Budget: Guesthouse Tomaru – A simple guesthouse with shared bathrooms and a friendly owner.
- Mid-Range: Wat Hotel & Spa – A modern hotel with amenities like an onsen, pool, and rooftop lounge.
- Luxury: Hotel Wood Takayama – A luxurious hotel with an onsen and free-flow sake tastings.
Culinary Delights
- Ramen: Ramen Menya Toto is a great alternative to the popular Menya Shirakawa, offering delicious Takayama-style ramen without the long lines.
- Burgers: Center4 Burgers is a quirky restaurant serving up juicy burgers in a retro setting.
- Coffee: Falo Coffee Brewers offers excellent hand-drip coffee and a friendly atmosphere.
- Curry: Jakson Curry is a popular Japanese curry shop that requires reservations.
- Steakhouse: Butchers is a renowned steakhouse serving Hida beef and a mix of Japanese and Western cuisine.
- Affordable Hida Beef: Kyoshi offers affordable lunch sets featuring Hida beef, including rice bowls and sushi.
Whether you’re seeking a budget-friendly stay or a luxurious experience, Takayama has something to offer. Enjoy exploring this charming town and indulging in its delicious cuisine!
2 days Takayama itinerary
Explore the map of this itinerary on Google Maps clicking here!
Day One: Exploring Takayama’s Old Town
Spend your first afternoon in Takayama immersing yourself in the charming atmosphere of the Sanmachi area, a well-preserved Edo-period district.
The main street, Sanmachi Suji, is a shopper’s paradise lined with boutiques, souvenir shops, cafes, and food stalls. Don’t miss the opportunity to sample local delicacies like dango balls, Hida beef skewers, and sake at the many restaurants and cafes along the street.
Must-Visit Highlights:
- Onoya Brewery: This artisanal soy sauce and miso brewery offers free tastings.
- Funasaka Brewery: Enjoy a unique sake tasting experience by purchasing a small cup from a gashapon capsule machine and using tokens at the self-service pouring machines.
- Harada Sake Brewery: Sample sake from the bottle at this brewery, where you pay a small tasting fee and purchase your own cup.
Let your senses wander through this historic neighborhood and discover the unique charm of Takayama’s old town.
While Sanmachi Suji is the main attraction, exploring the parallel streets will reveal even more hidden gems. Discover additional sake breweries, restaurants, and museums off the beaten path.
Need a break from the hustle and bustle? The Hida Takayama Town Museum offers a peaceful escape. This free museum showcases the history and culture of Takayama in a spacious warehouse setting with a serene garden.
For a unique retro experience, visit the Takayama Showa-kan Museum. Step back in time to the Showa period (1920s-1980s) and explore interactive exhibits featuring video games, pinball machines, and pachinko slot machines.
Museum Information:
- Open: Daily from 10 AM to 5 PM
- Entrance Fee: ¥1000
In the evening, consider to join this Night Tour to discover the wonderful scenery of Takayama at night.
Day Two: A Full Day of Exploration
Morning Market Adventures
Start your day by strolling along the Miyagawa Morning Market (7 AM – noon, 8 AM in winter), where you’ll find a vibrant array of fresh produce, local snacks, souvenirs, and handicrafts. After exploring the market, visit the Yoshijima Heritage House (9:30 AM – 3:30 PM, ¥500), a beautifully preserved 100-year-old merchant house.
Hida Folk Village
Take the Sarubobo Bus to the Hida Folk Village (Hida no Sato), a fascinating open-air museum showcasing traditional houses from the Hida region. Explore the various houses, learn about local history, and admire the craftsmanship on display. You can also join a guided tour with a personal guide for the village.
Higashiyama Walking Course
After your visit to the folk village, embark on the Higashiyama Walking Course. This scenic route takes you past numerous temples, shrines, and the Takayama Castle Ruins. Enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and stunning views along the way.
Takayama Festival Floats Exhibition Hall
If you’re still up for more, visit the Takayama Festival Floats Exhibition Hall (9 AM – 5 PM, ¥1000) to admire the beautifully decorated floats used in the city’s annual festivals.
Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine
For a final stop, visit the Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine, Takayama’s oldest shrine. Enjoy the serene atmosphere and explore the grounds.
Day Trips from Takayama
If you’re spending more than two days in Takayama, consider taking a day trip.
Shirakawa-go
One of the most popular day trips from Takayama is to the thatched roof village of Shirakawa-go, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Getting to Shirakawa-go from Takayama is possible by catching the highway bus, or joining a guided tour.
To get to Shirakawa on public transport, catch the Takayama-Shirakawago/Kanazawa Line Nohi highway bus departing several times a day from Takayama Bus Station. You can view the timetable here. Some departures require advance reservations, which can be made online one month in advance (¥2,600 one-way).
For a guided tour option, consider this tour. It includes a guided walking tour of Takayama, visiting some of the sights I’ve covered in my 2 days Takayama Itinerary above.
The afternoon of the tour is spent exploring Shirakawa-go with your guide, plus allowing free time to wander the town.
Find more information here.
You can also visit a second traditional village that retained it’s atmosphere in a better way and is a less touristic destintion, it’s Gokayama, consider joining this tour that will lead you to both the historic villages of Shirakawa-Go and Gokayama!
Kamikochi
Kamikochi is an outdoor nature lovers haven located high in the Japanese Alps in the Chubu Sangaku National Park.
This valley is known for its crystal clear rivers, lush greenery and jaw-dropping mountain scenery, best explored by the numerous walking trails.
You can easily visit on a day trip from Takayama by catching the Nohi bus via Hirayu Onsen.
Or you can check out this tour that will leads you through the awe-inspiring landscapes of the Shinhotaka Ropeway and into the tranquil beauty of Kamikochi. Experience the exhilaration of ascending the Shinhotaka Ropeway, offering panoramic vistas of mountainous peaks and verdant valleys. Then, immerse yourself in the serene splendor of Kamikochi. More info on this tour.
Kamikochi is open seasonally, usually from late April to mid-November, so make sure to check bus times beforehand.
Utsue Forty-Eight Falls
Another scenic hike and an underrated gem in the region is the Utsue Forty-Eight Waterfalls.
Catch the train from Takayama Station 2 stops to Hida-Kokufu Station (12 minutes).
There is a free shuttle bus that will take you to the start of the hike, which takes around an hour to reach an observation deck at the top of the falls. A maintenance fee of ¥200 applies, and there are seasonal closures over winter months.
The shuttle bus timetable can be found here (only in Japanese, but Google Translate works well) and more information here.
Final Thoughts – Takayama Itinerary 2 Days
Exploring this small town is a must for those looking to step back in time and immerse themselves in a more traditional side of Japan, compared to the big, bright and uber-modern cities of Tokyo and Osaka. With its historic streets, serene temples and an abundance of natural wonders on its doorstep, visiting Takayama is a unique and unforgettable experience.
Let me know if you have any questions about this Takayama itinerary in the comments below, and check out my other Japan guides to help plan your trip.
Plan your Japan Trip:
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- Kyoto’s Must-Visit Gems: 25 Must-See Attractions
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- How much is a trip to Japan and how much should you bring?
- Where to sleep in Tokyo? Finding the Perfect Neighborhood
- Day Trip to Mt. Fuji from Tokyo: Comprehensive Guide
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