On our way to Shirakawa-go, we made it a point to halt at and experience Takayama, a quaint little city in the mountainous Hida region of Gifu prefecture. It was a lovely cool March afternoon just perfect for a leisurely stroll through the beautifully preserved old Edo period town lined with shops selling everything from snow boots to wooden handicrafts of Takayama. This place is remarkably different from what we had ever seen all through Japan. There is a calmness in the air and a touch of heritage and history in every shop and house, every street and handicraft.
- 1 min read
Old Town, Takayama
A rendezvous with the Edo period
![Varsha Vaswati Varsha Vaswati](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/u/279/240x240!/565e87c967ba810c868b61ad.jpg)
Community writer
![Takayama Betsuin - a temple](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/3019-18590/1000/gifu-old-town-takayama-18590.jpg)
Takayama Betsuin - a temple
![Omiyage on the streets of Takayama](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/3019-18591/1000/gifu-old-town-takayama-18591.jpg)
Omiyage on the streets of Takayama
![Local handicrafts @Takayama](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/3019-18592/1000/gifu-old-town-takayama-18592.jpg)
Local handicrafts @Takayama
![The wide leveled roads leading to the narrow streets of the Old Town](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/3019-18593/1000/gifu-old-town-takayama-18593.jpg)
The wide leveled roads leading to the narrow streets of the Old Town
![Quaint and beautiful @Old Town, Takayama. See the drainage system ?](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/3019-18594/1000/gifu-old-town-takayama-18594.jpg)
Quaint and beautiful @Old Town, Takayama. See the drainage system ?
![With lines of handicraft and souvenir shops, this place is perfect for some leisurely strolls](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/3019-18595/1000/gifu-old-town-takayama-18595.jpg)
With lines of handicraft and souvenir shops, this place is perfect for some leisurely strolls
![The streets provided for ample unique sights and arrangements like this one](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/3019-18597/1000/gifu-old-town-takayama-18597.jpg)
The streets provided for ample unique sights and arrangements like this one
![A handicraft store](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/3019-18596/1000/gifu-old-town-takayama-18596.jpg)
A handicraft store
![Hand-made dolls on display at a store](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/3019-18598/1000/gifu-old-town-takayama-18598.jpg)
Hand-made dolls on display at a store
![Aren’t these so cute?](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/3019-18599/1000/gifu-old-town-takayama-18599.jpg)
Aren’t these so cute?
![You can either walk through the streets or hop on these rickshaws for a royal ride](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/3019-18600/1000/gifu-old-town-takayama-18600.jpg)
You can either walk through the streets or hop on these rickshaws for a royal ride
![In one of the many shops](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/3019-18602/1000/gifu-old-town-takayama-18602.jpg)
In one of the many shops
![Models of the festival floats](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/3019-18603/1000/gifu-old-town-takayama-18603.jpg)
Models of the festival floats
![Time for some warm sake at one of the breweries](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/3019-18604/1000/gifu-old-town-takayama-18604.jpg)
Time for some warm sake at one of the breweries
![Gasshou-Zukuri models](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/3019-18605/1000/gifu-old-town-takayama-18605.jpg)
Gasshou-Zukuri models
![Some more delightful souvenirs](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/3019-18606/1000/gifu-old-town-takayama-18606.jpg)
Some more delightful souvenirs
![Chiming in with History @Takayama](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/3019-18607/1000/gifu-old-town-takayama-18607.jpg)
Chiming in with History @Takayama
Join the discussion
Kim
5 years ago
I love all the stores with local handicrafts! It's one of my favorite things about wandering the streets of this part of Japan.
![Anonymous Anonymous](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/u/300247/100x100!/1721911848.jpg)
Anonymous
11 years ago
Ross, glad you liked Takayama. Those are great photos. It's a very beautiful area. Some say that the Hida region, in which Takayama sits, is like a different Japan. They are even different from the southern half of the prefecture. Did you go by train or car? October through November is a great time as the leaves are changing and the harvest food starts showing up.
I would say you need even more than 2-nights. To cover Takayama, Furukawa, the Okuhida onsens and Shirakawa-go...minimum of three. From there go on to Gujo and Mino cities.
I would say you need even more than 2-nights. To cover Takayama, Furukawa, the Okuhida onsens and Shirakawa-go...minimum of three. From there go on to Gujo and Mino cities.
Ross-Barry Finlayson
11 years ago
I was in Takayama earlier this year with my family and again in late October. Whatever your interest, as an outdoor person, there is plenty in the area for you to see/experience. If you plan to visit Takayama, stay at least 2-nights.
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I would say you need even more than 2-nights. To cover Takayama, Furukawa, the Okuhida onsens and Shirakawa-go...minimum of three. From there go on to Gujo and Mino cities.