Jul 15, 2014 - 1 min read

The Charm of Takayama City

Old merchant houses in a riverside setting

By Nicole Bauer

Community writer

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The riverside setting is really beautiful and adds a lot to the atmosphere of the whole town.

A riverside stroll is popular also with the locals.

The old merchant houses in Takayama are extremely well preserved and they line entire streets. That is why it is also often called "Little Kyoto".

Sake barrels in front of specialized shops. Takayama is famous for its tasty sake.

Whole streets are lined with the historic wooden buildings that usually host little shops selling local products like miso paste or sake in particular. There is a lot of sampling going on, you should definitely try!

The front of a ceramic shop. I particularly like the old wooden sign of the shop, just above the entrance.

The houses are all made of wood, but the architecture and decorations are always different; that makes every little house unique.

Takayama City has many great sights, actually too many to do them all in one day. However, it has got something else what I feel is much more important, it has got atmosphere. It is usually a busy place, quite touristy, but if you get up early or stay until the late afternoon, you will experience the full charm of this lovely city. Stroll along the river or through the old streets lined with traditional merchant houses, sample sake or miso paste, and don't miss the temple town area just above the city.