Hida Takayama, Where the Old Townscape Remains and is Surrounded by Rich Nature
Category: Sightseeing
Located at the foot of the Hida Mountains, one of the highest mountains in Japan and surrounded by rich nature, Hida Takayama is an area where the elegant streets of the castle town built in the Edo period still remain. Let’s learn about the history, tourist spots, souvenirs, and gourmet food of Hida Takayama, which attracts many tourists from Japan and abroad.
What is Hida Takayama?
Located almost in the center of the Japanese archipelago, Takayama City in Gifu Prefecture is known as “Hida Takayama” because of its location in the center of the Hida region (northern Gifu Prefecture), and is a popular tourist destination.
With an area of 2,177.61㎢, Takayama boasts the largest area in Japan, about 92% of which is covered by forests. The northeastern part of the city faces the Hida mountain range (Northern Alps), and its highest peak, Okuhotaka-dake, is the third highest mountain in Japan at 3,190 meters above sea level.
Takayama City’s climate is characterized by cool summers and cold, snowy winters. It is one of the coldest regions in Japan, with an average low temperature of -5.2°C in February, the middle of winter.
The rich natural scenery is breathtakingly beautiful, with cherry blossoms in full bloom in spring and pure white snow in winter.
History of Hida Takayama
The Beginning of Takayama
In Hida Takayama, surrounded by magnificent mountains, there are many remains from the Jomon Period (13,000 to 2,300 years ago), indicating that people have lived in the area for quite some time.
The name “Takayama City” comes from the fact that a military commander named Takayama Geki built a castle on Tenjinyama Mountain in present-day Shiroyama, Takayama City during the Eisho period (1504-1521) of the Muromachi era (1336-1573), and the area came to be called “Takayama” (meaning “high mountain”).
Prospering under the direct control of the Edo shogunate
In 1586, during the Azuchi-Momoyama period when warlords Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi were in power, Kanamori Nagachika became the head of Hida Province, creating the foundation of the present Takayama City. The rule by the Kanamori clan lasted for 107 years over six generations.
Later, in 1603, Tokugawa Ieyasu established the shogunate in Edo (present-day Tokyo). In 1692 (Genroku 5) during the Edo period (1603-1868), the area was placed under the direct control of the Edo shogunate. The reason for this is not clear, but it is said to be due to the abundant forest resources and mining nature in the Hida Takayama area.
The Takayama Jinya (Takayama government Houce) was established in the Edo period (1603-1868) and remains one of the most popular tourist spots in Takayama. The old townscape, which flourished as a merchant town, still remains, and visitors can still feel the vestiges of the Edo period. In addition, there are many temples and traditional crafts that have been handed down from generation to generation, and you can feel the history and culture of the area.
Places to visit in Hida Takayama
Old townscape
One of the most popular sightseeing spots in Hida Takayama is the “old townscape” that retain the atmosphere of an Edo Period merchant town. The “Sanmachi Street” consisting of Kamiichinomachi, Kamijinomachi, and Kamisannomachi is lined with souvenir stores and restaurants, attracting many tourists who come here for shopping and dining.
This area is also called “Hida’s Little Kyoto,” and the charm of this area is that the streets are full of atmosphere similar to that of Kyoto, allowing visitors to fully enjoy the Japanese flavor of the area.
Takayama Jinya
A jinya is a place where county and district governors, who were officials of the Edo shogunate, administered government during the Edo period. The Hida Daikan remained under the direct control of the shogunate for 25 generations for 177 years. It is said that by the end of the Edo period, there were more than 60 such places in Japan, but the Takayama Jinya is the only one of the county and district governor’s offices that still remains from that period.
In addition to the Japanese-style tea ceremony room and hall, the highlight of the building is one of the oldest and largest rice warehouses in Japan, which stored annual rice tribute (taxes levied on farmers by feudal lords) paid by neighboring villages.
Asaichi (Morning market)
In downtown Takayama, morning markets are held every morning at two locations. One is the “Takayama Jinya-mae Asaichi” held in the plaza in front of the Takayama Jinya, and the other is the “Miyagawa Asaichi” held along the Miyagawa River that runs through Takayama City.
The Takayama morning market is said to have originated from a sericultural market held in front of Takayama Betsuin Temple during the Edo period (1603-1868), and is so vibrant that it is counted as one of the three major morning markets in Japan.
At each market, visitors can purchase Hida’s specialties and seasonal vegetables and fruits directly from the producers.
Higashiyama Walkway
It is about a 10-minute walk from the old streets of downtown Takayama. Higashiyama-dera-machi, located on a hill a short distance away, is a hidden gem where many temples are concentrated. The Kanamori clan, the feudal lord of Hida Province, built and relocated many temples in the area, likening the foothills to the east of the castle to Higashiyama in Kyoto (an area where many temples and shrines such as Kiyomizu Temple and Yasaka Shrine are located).
The beautiful natural scenery of the four seasons and the atmospheric scenes of the temples and shrines will purify your mind just by strolling around.
Takayama Festival
This is a major event held annually in Hida Takayama and is the general name for festivals held in spring and fall.
The spring Takayama Festival (official name: Sanno Matsuri), held on April 14 and 15, boasts a history of over 300 years and takes place at Hie Shrine, while the autumn Takayama Festival (official name: Hachiman Matsuri), held on October 9 and 10, takes place at Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine.
The highlight of both festivals are the large yatai (floats decorated with floats, dolls, flowers, and other decorations), and the sight of the 12 gorgeous floats in the spring and 11 in the fall touring the town is a sight to behold. Other must-see attractions include the night festival, which is a fantastic sight with its cleverly contrived karakuri dolls and lanterns.
Recommended souvenirs in Hida Takayama
Sarubobo
These red-faced dolls have been handed down from generation to generation in Hida Takayama, and mean “baby monkey” in the Hida dialect. It is said that in the old days, mothers used to make these dolls to wish for the health and happiness of their children. Today, the dolls are available in a variety of colors, with each color having a different meaning and wish, such as blue for good luck in study, yellow for good luck in money, and pink for good luck in love.
There are many products such as mascots and key chains, so please try to find the perfect Sarubobo for you.
Hida Shunkei
Lacquerware made in and around Takayama City is designated as a traditional Japanese craft. Hida Shunkei is said to have originated about 400 years ago, and since the Edo period, it has been used as a noble offering to the Shogunate and as a gift for the royal family. It gradually came to be used for everyday items such as stacked boxes and trays, and is now attracting attention as furniture and tableware.
The wood is characterized by its beautiful natural grain that comes to the surface as it ages, and the longer it is used, the more deeply it develops its own unique flavor and texture.
Koito-yaki (Koito Pottery)
The deep and austere cobalt blue color produced by the glaze called “Aoiraboyu” is unique to Koito Pottery in Japan. The beauty of the color, as well as the changing texture and deepening of the color as it is used more and more, is the charm of this pottery. Various types of vessels are made, from tableware for daily use to tea utensils, which can be brought back home as souvenirs from Takayama City.
Japanese Sake in Hida Takayama
Hida Takayama has a long history of prosperity as a castle town, and sake brewing has long flourished in the area. The Hida Mountains provide clean water, rice suitable for sake brewing, and the severe cold of winters are ideal for sake brewing, resulting in delicious sake. Even today, there are 11 sake breweries located around the old streets of downtown Takayama, and each brewery’s specialty sake makes a great souvenir. Some stores offer sake tasting, so be sure to stop by.
[Click here to read about recommended sake breweries in Hida Takayama]
https://kodawari-times.net/fooddrink/oita-sake-brewery/
Recommended Gourmet in Hida Takayama
Gohei-mochi
Gohei-mochi is a local dish of Hida Takayama, where rice is crushed into a small oval shape, dipped in sauce, and grilled on a savory skewer. The sauce can be miso, soy sauce, or a mixture of walnuts. Since it is grilled on skewers, it is a perfect gourmet dish for eating and walking around.
Hida Beef (Hidagyu)
This brand of Wagyu beef is raised in the Hida region of Gifu Prefecture and is characterized by its fine texture and marbling. The rich natural environment and low stress levels result in many healthy cows, which give the beef a high quality texture and concentrated flavor. At restaurants in Takayama City, Hida beef is served in various ways such as steaks, yakiniku, sukiyaki, and meat sushi.
Takayama Ramen
Local ramen loved by locals in Hida Takayama. It has a Shoyu(soy sauce-flavored) soup based on Japanese soup stock such as bonito dashi, and the noodles are thin and wavy. It is topped with simple toppings such as chashu pork, bamboo shoots, and chopped green onions. Although it has the appearance of old-fashioned Chinese noodles, it is lighter in flavor than most shoyu (soy sauce) ramen.
There are about 20 Takayama ramen stores in Takayama City, each serving their own special ramen. Since it is a light ramen, it is recommended to finish off a meal. We hope you will try it there.
Let’s go to Hida Takayama!
Hida Takayama is not only a town of good old Japan and rich nature, but also offers a variety of attractions such as traditional events, crafts, and gourmet food. You will definitely want to visit again and again to see such a fascinating place deep in the mountains of Gifu Prefecture. We hope you will spend a special time in Hida Takayama that you can only experience in Hida Takayama.
