FUKUCHIIN TEMPLE STAY IN MOUNT KOYA, JAPAN

Mount Koya (Koyasan) is a remote temple town of 2,812 residents (2021) in the Wakayama prefecture. It has an altitude of 800 meters (2,624 ft) above sea level.

Back in 805 AD, the monk Kobo Daishi (Kukai) (774-835 AD) brought Shingon Buddhism, a sect that was influenced by the Chinese, to Japan. Kobo Daishi built the first temple in 826 AD in Mount Koya, and soon after it became the centre of Shingon Buddhism and Japan’s most sacred town. As a result, Kobo Daishi was one of the most significant religious characters in Japan.

Mount Koya is one of the three sacred sites of the Kii Mountain Range, and it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2004. Many pilgrims and tourists have visited Mount Koya for enlightenment and spirituality over time, and most have stayed in Buddhist temple lodging facilities (shukubo). Today, there are more than 100 temples in town, and about half of them offer authentic temple accommodations.

Want to learn more about Buddhism in Japan? Then booking accommodation at Fukuchiin Temple (657 Koyasan, Koya, Ito District, Wakayama 648-0211) is a great idea! From stunning artwork and antiques, relaxing onsen facilities, to Buddhist workshops and morning prayer sessions, there’s plenty of cool things to experience!

Staying at Fukuchiin Temple

A Short History of Fukuchiin Temple

Fukuchiin Temple is right in the heart of Mount Koya, and was founded by Kakuin Ajari in the 12th century. The main reason for opening the temple was to worship Aizen Myo-o, a Buddhist deity who has the power to make all wishes and desires come true.

Rooms and Amenities

Fukuchiin Temple offers 60 Japanese-style rooms on three floors for up to 250 guests. All rooms have tatami floors, futon bed(s), free Wi-Fi, air conditioning/heating, seating area, a yukata (Japanese-style bathrobe), and towel.

Some also have a TV and private Western-style toilet, and a nice garden view.

A simple, but bright room with light brown tatami flooring, AC/heater on the left, and a black short-legged table in the middle. There are some documents on the table, a red tea pot on the floor, and a green pillow to sit in front of the table. White, thin curtains cover the large windows, and there's a large closet with two sliding doors on the right hand side. — My room at Fukuchiin Temple. During the day, the futon bed is hidden in the closet. 😉

Apart from rooms, it’s possible to rent meeting rooms and conference rooms at Fukuchiin Temple as well.

Artwork, Antiques, and Onsen Facilities

As you wander around the temple hallways, take some time to admire the antiques from the Nara period (710-784 AD), calligraphy writings, and wall paintings. My favourite artwork is the colourful tiger painting! There are a few cozy sitting areas as well.

A colourful painting with a tiger standing on a cliff on the left side and white dragon on the right side. Both are separated by gorge filled with white/blue water. It also has bamboo stalks on the left side, and a mostly orange background. Two black dog-like statues sit on the left and right (in front of the painting canvas) and a black table in the middle.

An open sitting area with a table and two wooden chairs. A flower bouquet is sitting in the middle of the table. The wooden floor is dark brown, and there a black dresser on the left with lots of antiques on it. For example, a large red clock, and a glass closet on the right hand side.

A painting of dragons in many colours (grey, copper, gold, and beige) on a black background.

A black and white painting of two tigers next to each other on the left side, and ocean waves on the right side. There are clouds in the sky as well. In front of the painting, there's a large Samurai statue, two weapons, a Samurai helmet, and a black box with a small statue on top (left to right).

Fukuchiin Temple is proud to offer the only natural hot springs in Mount Koya. You can relax in their open air rock bath, indoor bath, family bath, or sauna. All are separated for men and women, but tattoos are not allowed. You can find more details on their onsen facilities here.

A small open air bath surrounded by large brown rocks and some bamboo plants. There's a silver handrail, so it's easier for guests to enter the bath. — Open air rock bath. Photo credit: Fukuchiin Temple.

Sutra Copying Workshop and Morning Prayer Session

For an even more authentic experience, overnight guests at Fukuchiin Temple are encouraged to join several Buddhist workshops and sessions.

For example, you can participate in a Sutra Copying workshop in the evening. After cleansing their hands with incense powder, every guest kneels down in front of a table. Then a monk gives you a paper with Japanese characters on it, and you’ll copy them with a very thin ink brush.

Besides, everyone needs to write down a wish on their paper. This meditation technique started in the Heian period (794-1185 AD), and you get a Buddhist bead bracelet, too! Guests are not allowed to drink alcohol before the workshop, as this takes a lot of focus.

Sutra Copying Workshop (photo credit: Fukuchiin Temple) and the bead bracelet I got!

Every morning at 6 am, guests are welcome to join the Morning Prayer session with the monks who live and work at the temple. It was very moving to listen to them chanting songs, and all the Buddhist treasures inside the room were super impressive! In the end, both the monks and visitors said a prayer and bowed afterwards. What an amazing experience!

A Buddhist monk is sitting in front of a small fire. He wears black and gold clothing and is surrounded by Buddhist treasure (for example, a bouquet of flowers or leaves (?) out of metal). Two large lamps are standing between the monk. There's candle light and incense as well. — Photo credit: Fukuchiin Temple.

Shojin ryoki cuisine at Fukuchiin Temple

As a Buddhist monk, it’s common to eat shojin ryori (monk’s diet) vegetarian meals. So at Fukuchiin Temple, you can book this kind of breakfast and/or dinner in advance, for an extra cost.

Guests sit in several traditional Japanese-style dining rooms, and wall separators are put up between groups for privacy. The kitchen uses local specialties, such as koya-dofu (frozen-dried tofu) and Kinzanji wasabi, and fresh seasonal vegetables, with miso soup, rice, and green tea.

The dishes at Fukuchiin Temple are made from scratch and change every month. Unfortunately, the kitchen is unable to accommodate food allergies or dietary needs.

A nice selection of shojin ryori dishes: Rice, plums, green tea, miso soup, porridge, and tofu dishes. — Breakfast meal at Fukuchiin Temple.

Temple Garden Areas

Fukuchiin Temple has three beautiful gardens: The Rock Garden (“Lotus Garden”), Aizen Garden, and Tosen Garden, and the last one has a pond as well. All of these were designed by the Japanese landscape architect Mirei Shigemori (1896-1975).

The gardens are famous for their powerful stonework and moss plants, and guests are welcome to walk around and relax here during their stay.

A large garden area with plenty of vertical rocks standing on the ground, and several green trees on the left and right side. In the middle, there's a pathway filled with little rocks that leads to a Buddhist worship building.

Coffee Corner, Gift Shop, and Directions to Fukuchiin Temple

Only a few steps from the breakfast rooms, you can drink a cup of coffee or tea in the cozy Coffee Corner room! There are some books and magazines, too. What a perfect spot to sit and relax, especially during the colder months!

Fukuchiin Temple has a small gift shop as well, which is open during limited hours of the day.

After arriving at Koyasan Station by cable car, it’s pretty easy to get to Fukuchiin Temple. Just hop on a local bus going to “Okunoin” or “Daimon”, and exit at the 4th stop, “Koya Keisatsu-mae”. The temple is on the right side, about 30 meters back from the direction of the bus.

My Opinion on Staying at Fukuchiin Temple

As you can probably tell by now, staying at Fukuchiin Temple is quite a special experience!

When you first enter the temple, you need to leave your shoes in the reception area, and put on slippers. Next, the English-speaking receptionists are happy to guide you about your stay. Please note that there’s a curfew at 9 pm, so be sure to be back at the temple by then.

A long hallway with brown wooden flooring, and several white/dark brown sliding doors on the left. On the right, there's a dark brown closet with many shoe/slipper compartments. — The temple hallway near the reception area.

Before Mount Koya, I was in Kyoto, and staying at Fukuchiin Temple was a great way to recover from the big city! It was quiet and calm, just as you’d imagine a Buddhist temple to be. So it’s perfect to relax, meditate, cleanse your body, and see what the simple life of a Buddhist monk is like!

My room was very clean and spacious, and I was grateful for the heater, lol! The Sutra Copying workshop and Morning Prayer session were perfect to learn about Buddhism in Japan and about a monk’s daily lifestyle inside the temple. The food at breakfast was delicious as well! 😛

So even though the nightly rate is quite high (¥ 15,000 to ¥ 30,000 per person, depending on the season), I highly recommend trying this kind of accommodation at least once in a lifetime!

Fukuchiin Temple is open year-round. Staying here is very popular, so it’s best to book this accommodation weeks or even months before your trip to Japan starts.

A large Buddhist temple with a dark brown sliding door on the bottom right, the rest of the building is white with many small windows (except for some grey on the roof). There are trees on the left and right of the picture (in front of the building), and a thinner tree and flower arrangements in the middle. A raked small rock pathway leads up to the building. — Fukuchiin Temple from the outside.

Mount Koya Okunoin Cemetery

The next morning, I wandered around Mount Koya’s town centre for a bit. After a while, I crossed Ichinohashi Bridge over the Odogawa river, which is the entrance to Okunoin Cemetery (132 Koyasan, Koya-cho, Ito-gun, Wakayama, 648-0211). It’s inside an ancient cedar forest grove, and with more than 200,000 tombstones, is Japan’s largest cemetery.

Some important historical figures are buried here. Examples are the Tokugawa family (who ruled Japan during the Edo period) and the Toyotomi family (who ruled the country before the Edo period). You’ll also find many Jizo statues (the Buddhist deity that protects children and travelers) along the 2 kilometer (1.24 mile) long walkway.

Several tombstones with a Buddhist figure (monk?) sitting on a stone chair in the middle of the picture. Trees are standing calmly in the background.

A cobblestoned forest pathway with stone lanterns and trees on the right and left side.

Tombstones with grey torii stone gates in the background. Many of these are covered with moss. There's a stone lantern in front of them as well.

Tombstones on the left and right side with flower bouquets in front of them.

At the end of the pathway is Mount Koya’s biggest attraction: Okunoin Temple, that is home to Kobo Daishi’s mausoleum. Thanks to his high significance in Japanese religion, this is one of Japan’s most sacred places and a popular spot for pilgrims.

Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to go all the way, but I felt so calm during my walk around Okunoin Cemetery! In my opinion, all the graves surrounded by the old cedar trees contribute to the serene and mystical (even almost magical) atmosphere of this place. It’s also perfect for some shirin-yoku (forest bathing)!

Okunoin Cemetery is open during the day and nighttime, and you can book a guided night walk at 7 pm each day (in English), that takes about 1.5 hours.

Other Things to Do in Mount Koya

Here are few more things to do in Mount Koya, that sadly, I couldn’t do this time:

Kongobuji is the most important temple of Shingon Buddhism in Japan. It was built in 1593 by Toyotomi Hideyoshi and you can visit its rooms, that have cranes and flower blossoms on the walls. Admission to enter Kongobuji Temple is ¥ 1,000.
Behind Kongobuji is Banryutei Rock Garden, Japan’s biggest rock garden, which has been around since 1984. It has more than 100 large granite stones.
The Daimon Gate is the gateway to Mount Koya. It’s a multistoried tower gate at 25.1 meters (82.3 ft) high and was rebuilt in 1705, after the original gate was destroyed by fire and lightning.

A garden of large rocks in front of a dark brown and white temple building. — The Banryutei Rock Garden. Photo by **Hu Chen** on **Unsplash.**

Mount Koya also has some great hiking trails for all abilities. For example, the Kohechi Trail from Mount Koya to the Kumano Hongu Taisha Grand Shrine is a part of the famous Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage route. It’s a rugged and steep hike though, and is about 70 km (43 miles) long!

If you don’t feel super adventurous, Mount Koya also has some nice souvenir shops in the downtown area! 😀

Where to Eat & Drink in Mount Koya

If you’re not eating dinner at Fukuchiin Temple, Hanabishi Restaurant (769 Koyasan, Ito Gun Koya Cho, Wakayama, 648-0211) is a great choice! They offer Kaiseki cuisine (traditional Japanese multicourse dinner), sushi and bento box dishes, and shojin ryori (vegetarian).

I had the Sanko Zen Buddhist Vegetarian Meal, that consists of fried eggplant covered in bean paste, sesame tofu, cooked veggies, enokidake mushrooms, and more! While the price was a bit high (¥ 2,640), it was more than worth it, especially the eggplant was super tasty!

Please note that many restaurants in Mount Koya close by 5 or 6 pm. Besides, I was surprised to not see any konbini (convenience stores), but you can find some vending machines around town. 😉

How to Get To and Around Mount Koya on Public Transit

The closest big city is Osaka, which is about 2 hours north of Mount Koya. The most direct train option is to hop on the Nankai Limited Express in Shin-Imamiya Station to Gokurakubashi Station. Then transfer to the Nankai Koyasan Cable Car train to Koyasan Station, and local buses are ready to take you around town from there!

If you’re in Koyasan for two consecutive days, it makes sense to buy the Koyasan World Heritage Ticket. It includes roundtrip transportation from Namba or Shin-Imamiya Station to Mount Koya, unlimited local bus travel, and discounted admission to certain tourist attractions. The rate starts at ¥ 3,080 per person.

The closest airport to Mount Koya is Osaka Kansai International Airport.

If you’d like to read more about Japan, check out these posts:

How to Spend Four Days in Tokyo, Japan

One Day in Takayama, Japan

Is Nagoya Castle Worth Visiting? (Guest Post for The Directionally Challenged Traveler)

How to Spend 48 Hours in Kyoto, Japan

Disclosure: I only recommend products that I’ve used in the past, and all opinions expressed in this post are my own. This post contains affiliate links. If you use one of the links throughout the page to buy something, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks.

September 5, 2023 6

ONE DAY IN TAKAYAMA, JAPAN

Konnichiwa! Today we’re spending one day in Takayama, a city of 88,473 people in the Northern Japanese Alps in the Hida region. It lies within the Gifu Prefecture. Takayama’s official name is Hida-Takayama, to avoid confusion between places in Japan with the same name.

Thanks to its remote location in the mountains, Takayama wasn’t affected by war attacks, fires, or other catastrophes in the past. This is why it’s one of Japan’s most preserved historic cities.

Besides, back in the Edo period (1603-1867), Takayama was famous for its high quality timber, woodworking, and skilled carpenters. So it became a very wealthy merchant town. Even today, Hida lumber, woodcrafts, and furniture from the Takayama area are popular across Japan.

There are lots of options on how to spend one day in Takayama, from visiting its Old Town District, Temple Town, morning markets, Nakabashi Bridge, to unique lodging and restaurants. Hajimemashou! (Let’s get started!) 😀

The Best Things to Do and See in Takayama

The Old Town District

Let’s start with Takayama’s top attraction, which means walking around and admiring the well-preserved houses and streets from the Edo period inside the Old Town District. Some of the oldest houses in this neighbourhood were built back in the 17th century!

A dark brown wooden Japanese-style house with plenty of green plants on its roof.

The main streets covering the Old Town District are Ninomachi Street, Sanmachi Street, Ichinomachi Street, and Sannomachi Street. There are many old homes, shops, cafés, museums, and sake breweries (you can participate in sake tastings as well). Some have been in business for centuries!

An alleyway of dark brown wooden traditional Japanese style houses. Some have a pot of green plants in front of their door.

Some of the old merchant houses are open to the public, and you can find lots of unique souvenirs, arts and crafts, and woodcrafts inside the shops. What a great way to support the local economy!

The Old Town District is only 10 minutes of a walk from Takayama Station, and there are local buses as well. Or you can book a rickshaw ride, i.e. a person will pull you while you sit and relax inside a carriage! The cost is ¥7,000 for 30 minutes (based on two people).

Two women in traditional Japanese dress are sitting in a carriage, with their legs being covered by a red blanket for comfort. A man, also dressed in traditional Japanese clothing, is wearing a black hat and will start pulling the carriage soon. All 3 of them are smiling! — An example of a Japanese rickshaw. Photo by **Maria Krasnova** on **Unsplash.**

Miyagawa Morning Market

Not too far away is the Miyagawa Morning Market (33 Suehiromachi, Takayama, Gifu, 506-0016), which happens daily from 7 am to 12 pm (8 am to noon from November to March). Local vendors sell fresh fruit and veggies, flowers, and handmade souvenirs, and there are also regular stores next to the road.

This is a great opportunity to meet friendly locals, and the market is right next to the banks of the stunning turquoise Miyagawa River, which is a nice spot to sit for a while after your shopping is done!

A turquoise coloured river with a bridge crossing it in the distance. On the left side of the riverbank there are several sitting spots and on the right there are some higher buildings. There's quite a few trees around the riverbanks as well.

Jinya-Mae Morning Market

The other daily morning market in Takayama is Jinya-Mae Morning Market (1-5 Hachikenmachi, Takayama, Gifu, 506-0012), open from 7 am to noon (8 am to noon in the winter months) in front of Takayama Jinya. The vendors sell fresh produce, snacks, and souvenirs.

Unfortunately, I didn’t have a chance to visit Jinya-Mae Morning Market this time. 🙁

Neko no Tsuki Sakurayama Cat Café

If you’re a cat lover, visiting the Neko no Tsuki Sakurayama Cat Café (1-4-2, Oshinmachi, Takayama, Gifu, 506-0851) is a must! This cozy and inviting café is inside a traditional Japanese townhouse, that has been a part of the city for 130 years.

The Neko no Tsuki Sakurayama Cat Café intends to find a loving home for stray cats in Takayama and encourages locals and tourists to spend some quality time with cats! The spacious cat area of the café has two floors and the second level looks like a Japanese house.

A wall screen showing cats that are available for adoption. Each one has a photo and a description of the cat's personality.

A brown/black tabby cat with white patches on its face and front body and legs/paws is looking around curiously.

Every cat’s profile for people interested in adopting one, a few of the kitties I hung out with, and the Neko no Tsuki Sakurayama Cat Café from the outside.

It’s obvious that the cats feel very comfortable here, because they have plenty of hiding and sleeping spots, tasty food, and get cuddles every day! The staff is very friendly, too, and I love the design of this place, especially the dark brown wooden outside building and floors.

For 30 minutes of kitty time, the cost is ¥ 700, and feel free to buy some treats as well (for an extra ¥ 200)! The Neko no Tsuki Sakurayama Cat Café is open Tuesday to Sunday from 11 am to 5 pm.

You can find the separate café sitting area on the right side of the building, which is equipped with Hida wood furniture and the coffee mugs were designed by artists from the Hida region!

A cozy sitting area with 5 brown/grey armchairs and a dark brown coffee table in the middle. There are some books and a menu on the table. The sitting area is right next to the see-through sliding door, so you can look outside.

Temple Town

Next, we’ll wander around the Teramachi district, better known as Takayama’s Temple Town! Here, more than 10 temples and shrines are standing next to each other. So it’s a great chance to see them all in a short time.

It’s in a quieter area, and while they are rather small, the temples and shrines are all very well taken care of. First, I walked by the Myokanzan Eikyoin Temple (1-6-4 Wakatatsumachi, Takayama, Gifu, 506-0854), and the pathway to Higashiyama Hakusan Shrine (1-74 Wakatatsumachi, Takayama, Gifu, 506-0854). It was built in 720 AD, which makes it the oldest shrine in Takayama.

A white temple with dark brown framings and a red roof area. There are lots of flags hanging upside down in front of the temple with red Japanese symbols on them. There are some stones and a few plants as well.

A grey Japanese torii gate with a yellow rope around its top middle part. There are trees on both sides of the pathway leading towards the shrine.

Left: Myokanzan Eikyoin Temple. Right: Torii gate leading the path to Higashiyama Hakusan Shrine.

Then I stopped at Daio-ji Temple (67 Atagomachi, Takayama, Gifu, 506-0855) with its Buddhist statue, Zen garden, and Shoro (bell tower) that was built in 1689. It’s the oldest bell tower in the Gifu prefecture.

A dark brown Buddhist temple building with a red roof.

A grey Buddhist stone statue sitting cross legged inside the temple complex. It looks like it's meditating and there's a flower bouquet on its left side in front of it.

Then look at Gohozan Dounin Temple (64 Atagomachi, Takayama, Gifu, 506-0855), built by the priest Senso in 1614. It’s famous for its Jizo statues and Koryuzan Sogen-ji Temple (39 Tenshojimachi, Takayama, Gifu, 506-0832). The main hall of the latter temple has a hipper copper roof, and has an impressive bell tower as well.

A dark brown temple gate entrance with a sign of golden Japanese symbols in the top middle part. A few trees are standing on the left and right side of the gate.

A wooden gazebo with a bell out of metal in the middle. There are a few more wooden gazebos around the bell tower and some trees.

Left: Entrance to Koryuzan Sogen-ji Temple. Right: The bell tower within the Koryuzan Sogen-ji Temple complex.

If you’d like to stay at a Buddhist temple for a night, this is possible at Tensho-ji Temple Youth Hostel (83 Tenshoji-cho, Takayama, Gifu, 506-0832). It was built in the 12th century.

Nakabashi Bridge

Another one of Takayama’s iconic landmarks is Nakabashi Bridge (4-9 Kawaharamachi, Takayama, Gifu, 506-0847). This crimson bridge overlooks the Miyagawa River and is a part of the 1 Chome Hon-machi and Kamisannomachi neighborhoods.

Nakabashi Bridge is a popular photo destination, in particular during the cherry blossom season. This offers a great mix of colours (i.e. the pink/white flowers and the crimson bridge colour). Moreover, the bridge is lit up in different colours at night during busy tourism periods every year.

A bright crimson bridge crossing the same turquoise river. There are lots of trees and a pathway on the left and houses on the right hand side of the river.

Watch Out for Sarubobo Dolls

While you’re browsing through Takayama’s souvenir stores (or just walking around the streets), it’s very likely that you’ll see one special item: Sarubobo Dolls! These cute-looking lucky charms are typical for the Hida region and the translation for sarubobo is “monkey baby”.

Many mothers give it to their daughters for a happy marriage, good fertility, and a child birth that’s as easy and smooth as possible. You can also buy Sarubobo dolls in different colours with a different meaning (e.g. green for peace and health and black for protection from evil), but the red one is the most common. What a unique souvenir to take back home!

A red faceless Sarubobo statue sitting on a light wooden bench in front of a store window. It wears a black hat and jacket and holds a cup of coffee in its hands. — A cute *Sarubobo* statue I stumbled upon while walking around Takayama!

Other Things to To Do in Takayama

So as you can see, there are tons of fun things to do in Takayama in a day! But if you’d like to explore more attractions in or close to the city, I suggest staying for at least two days.

Here are some other things to do and see that sound amazing:

Takayama Festival happens in April and October, and is in the Top 3 of Japan’s most beautiful festivals. The main attraction are the stunningly decorated yatai (festival floats). If you’re in Takayama outside of this timeframe, you can see the floats at the Takayama Festival Float Exhibition Hall.
The Takayama Jinya was the local government office until the end of the Edo period in 1868. The building still stands today as a museum for visitors. You can look at the offices and conference rooms, and next to the main building is the largest traditional rice storehouse in Japan.
Shiragawago is a remote village in the Shogawa River Valley, only an hour from Takayama by bus. It’s famous for its traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses in the Ogimachi district, and some of them are more than 250 years old! Shiragawago was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995.
If you don’t have time to visit Shiragawago, stop at the Hida No Sato (Hida Folk Village) instead. This open air museum has more than 30 traditional buildings from the Hida region. They were built during the Edo period, and it’s only a 30-minute walk or 10-minute bus ride from Takayama.

To learn more about these attractions, check out this YouTube video by Japan Guide:

Where to Stay

As a popular tourist attraction, Takayama has plenty of lodging options to offer. You can choose between hostels, guesthouses, apartments, B&B’s, ryokans (traditional Japanese inns), and Western-style hotels.

I stayed at the Takayama Ninja House (1-31-2 Wakatatsumachi, Takayama, Gifu, 506-0854), a small traditional Japanese guesthouse just a few minutes from the Old Town District. I booked a Japanese-style single room with tatami mat flooring and a very comfy futon bed. Western-Japanese style rooms are available, too.

The lowest room charge ranges from ¥ 7,500 to ¥ 10,000 per night, and bathrooms are shared. You can enjoy free coffee and Japanese tea at the reception. Besides, there’s a public bath house (onsen) only 5 minutes from the property, at ¥ 440 per person.

Octavio, the owner, was always happy to chat, which made me feel at home right away! He also had great suggestions on things to do in and around Takayama. Moreover, he prepared a small breakfast in the morning (green tea, toast, and jam), which was very good! He offers a free shuttle service (must be reserved in advance), and private parking is possible on site (at ¥ 1,000 per night).

Where to Eat & Drink

While Takayama is a smaller city, there’s a big selection of restaurants to choose from.

First, I tried a local specialty of the Hida region, which is soba noodles! I had Fried Soba Noodles with an egg on top for lunch at Bokunchi Café (5-6 Shimosannomachi, Takayama, Gifu, 506-0841), and it was super tasty! It’s really close to the Miyagawa Morning Market as well.

For dinner, Octavio suggested that I eat at the Royal Nan House (6-18 Hanasatomachi, Takayama, Gifu, 506-0026), a local Indian restaurant. I’m so glad I followed his advice, because the Chana Masala with Garlic Naan bread and Mango Lassi were amazing!

A plate of soba noodles with a few vegetables and a fried egg on top. On the left there is a glass of water.

Garlic naan bread on the left, cut into pieces, Chana Masala on the right. Above these dishes there are a glass of Mango Lassi and water.

But there was a local specialty I couldn’t try, which is Hida gyu (Hida beef). If you eat meat, it’s supposed to be one of the best! Fortunately, Brandon mentions the best Hida beef dishes and where to find them in his Takayama Travel Guide, so feel free to check it out!

How to Get To and Around Takayama via Public Transit

It’s pretty easy to get from/to Takayama to other places in Japan via train and bus.

The closest big city is Nagoya, which is a 140-minute train ride via the JR Hida Limited Express to Takayama, and costs around ¥ 6,140 per person. If you have the Japan Rail Pass, the cost is fully covered.

From Tokyo, take the JR Tokaido Hikari Shinkansen to Nagoya, then transfer to the Hida Limited Express train (about 4.5 hours, at ¥ 14,190 per person). Please note that the Tokaido Nozomi Shinkansen train to Nagoya is not covered by the JR Pass.

From Kyoto or Osaka, hop on the JR Tokaido Shinkansen to Tokyo, then transfer to the Hida Limited Express train in Nagoya (3 to 4 hours, at ¥ 10,000 to ¥ 11,000 per person).

I took the Hida Limited Express from Nagoya to Takayama, and man, the scenery was so beautiful! <3

Or you can take the JR Hokuriku Shinkansen train from Tokyo to Toyama, then transfer to the Hida Limited Express train to Takayama (about 4 hours, at ¥ 16,120 per person).

You can also book a daytime highway bus from Tokyo (Busta Shinjuku) to Takayama (5.5 hours, starting at ¥ 6,500 per person), and there’s an overnight bus available as well on certain dates.

JR Takayama train station is right next to the Takayama Hida Bus Centre, and local buses from/to the city centre run on a regular basis (at ¥ 100 per bus ride). There’s also the Sarubobo tourist bus to Hida no Sato, that goes every 30 minutes.

The closest airport is Toyama Kitokito Airport, which is 57 km/35 miles north of Takayama. It offers domestic flights to Tokyo Haneda Airport and Sapporo, and international flights to Shanghai, Seoul, and Taipei.

The Best Time to visit Takayama

Takayama sees the nicest weather of the year in the spring (April/May) and fall (October/November). While summers get hot, it’s colder than in big cities in the evenings.

Takayama can get pretty cold and snowy in the winter months, with one meter (3.2 feet) or more per month of snow piled up! The average low temperature in January and February is -5 C or 34 F.

Mid-June to mid-July is the rainy season, but it doesn’t rain every day, so it’s a nice time to visit as well. So just bring a rain jacket and/or umbrella just in case, and you’re good! 😀

As you can see, Takayama is an awesome place to visit, no matter what time of the year it is!

Moreover, I like that Takayama is not as busy as Tokyo, Kyoto, or Osaka, but it offers a great Japanese small-town vibe, and a chance to experience the “real” Japan in a rural area!

If you’ve been to Takayama and have any insider tips, feel free to share them in the comment section! Cheers 😀

Here are a few of my other Japan blog posts for you to check out:

How to Spend Four Days in Tokyo, Japan

Fukuchiin Temple Stay in Mount Koya, Japan

Is Nagoya Castle Worth Visiting? (Guest Post for The Directionally Challenged Traveler)

How to Spend 48 Hours in Kyoto, Japan

July 24, 2023 14

SUMMER IN BLUE RIVER, BC

Last updated: September 19, 2023

In my experience, many tourists prefer to visit only the hot spots of a destination. But I suggest to also check out small towns that are off the beaten path to recharge from all the hustle and bustle. Here’s a travel guide about Blue River, BC, my favourite Canadian small town!

Blue River is inside the North Thompson Valley in Interior British Columbia, surrounded by the Monashee and Cariboo Mountains. Its nickname is “The Jewel of the Yellowhead”. 230 year-round residents call this town home, and the main industries contributing to the economy are logging and tourism. Moreover, this area is traditional territory of the Simpcw First Nations.

So here’s a guide on how to spend summer in Blue River, BC!

What to See and Do

Eleanor Lake

Blue River’s main attraction is Eleanor Lake, right in the heart of town, so it’s impossible to miss! Here you can chill at the beach for a bit (and chat with a friendly local), go for a swim, canoe or kayak, or standup paddle board (SUP), or go for a walk on Eleanor Lake Trail around the lake.

There are tons of nice walking and mountain biking trails in and around Blue River, such as cross-country ski trails, only minutes away from the beach.

Eleanor Lake beach, and having a blast canoeing on the lake!

Entrance to one of Blue River’s cross-country ski trails, with beautiful Saddle Mountain in the distance.

The Blue River Community Park

But wait, there’s much more to do in this area! The Blue River Community Park is right next to Eleanor Lake beach, and it has a volleyball field, sitting areas with a fire pit (great for a small get together or BBQ!), and a playground is only a few steps away, too.

Bears & Other Wildlife in Blue River

If it’s your lucky day, you might meet one (or more!) black bear(s), that live in this area. They sometimes hang out near the train tracks across the street from Eleanor Lake, as one of their favourite things to do is getting high on grains falling off from trains passing through!

Even though they look cute and fluffy, please keep your distance, to not startle these majestic creatures, and bring bear spray if you plan to spend time in the bush. BC Parks has a great guide on how to behave around British Columbia’s wild animals, including bears. There’s other wildlife living in the Blue River area as well, such as moose, deer, eagles, cougars, and wolverines.

Mud Lake

Another popular spot in the Blue River area is Mud Lake. But don’t be fooled by its name, as the water is of a spectacular jade colour! Same as Eleanor Lake, it’s perfect for many water activities, but with less people around you. There’s even a camp site, and if you have an ATV, it’s great fun driving up the trails close to this lake (we like Red Sands Mountain), and admire a beautiful view of Blue River and its surroundings!

On our way up Red Sands Mountain trail and beautiful Parberry Falls <3

Go for a Hike at Green Mile

People like to go hiking and mountain biking on Blue River’s many trails in the summer. A great one is Green Mile, which grows to an elevation of 220 meters (721 feet), and it’s within a lush inland rainforest, with tons of cedar and spruce trees around you! Moreover, blueberries and huckleberries grow here each year, so feel free to pick some as a snack 🙂 You can find more details about these activities in Blue River here.

Murtle Lake

Murtle Lake is popular with both locals and visitors, especially because it’s North America’s largest paddle only lake! It’s a 24 km (17 miles) drive from Blue River on a graveling backcountry road, which starts behind the Blue River Campground. After you reached the parking lot, it’s another 2.5 km (1.55 miles) walk on a wheelchair accessible trail to the lake.

Murtle Lake is inside Wells Gray Provincial Park, and with more than 100 km (62 miles) of shoreline, it’s the largest lake in the area. Some people like to spend the night at one of the 70 wilderness campsites around the (mostly sandy) shoreline, and enjoy the starry nights (you may even see the Northern Lights!). Unfortunately, no dogs are allowed at Murtle Lake.

Mystery Lake Recreation Site

Mystery Lake Recreation Site is also a great spot for adventure and tranquility seekers! Just get on to Highway #5 next to Blue River, turn left onto Blueberry Road, and drive for 10 kilometers. Make sure that your car is suitable for this (mostly) graveling road though!

Not many people know about this gorgeous spot. If you’d like to spend the night and have experience with wilderness camping, there’s a free campsite for two tents, two picnic tables, fire pit, and an outhouse toilet, all only a few feet away from the lake. There’s a boat launch as well.

For any of these outdoor activities, I highly recommend to bring bug spray, as lots of mosquitoes live in this area!

Where to Stay

Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing

Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing (1 Harrwood Drive, Blue River BC V0E 1J) is perfect if you’re looking for a special getaway experience. There are 22 cozy chalets (cabins) inside this famous heli ski resort, and room rates start at C$ 249 per night. The chalets range from two to six bedrooms, and all have en-suite bathrooms, a common area and kitchen, which is perfect for couples, families, or friend groups.

Although the resort’s other amenities (e.g. the Main Lodge with the Powder Max Dining Room and Silver Buckle Lounge) are only open during the winter season, guests enjoy walking in and around the resort, and looking at the beautiful flowers! This resort is right next to Eleanor Lake, and the Blue River Motel (791 Spruce St, Blue River, BC V0E 1J0) and Saddle Mountain Lodge (Yellowhead S Highway 5, Blue River BC V0E 1J0) are a part of the Mike Wiegele operation, too.

Entrance to Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing, beautiful flowers inside the resort, and one of the chalet rooms.

The Blue River Campground & RV Park

The Blue River Campground & RV Park (991 Blue River West Frontage Rd, Blue River, BC V0E 1J0) is quite a budget-friendly option, with basic tent sites starting at C$ 28 per night, and full service sites at C$ 45 per night. The campground is open from May to October, and has 52 tent and RV campsites, and cabins (starting at C$ 68 per night).

You can also book one of their Canoe Trip Packages to Eleanor Lake, Mud Lake, or Murtle Lake (plus transportation, if needed). Outdoor equipment rentals, like canoes, stand-up paddle boards (with a cart or transportation), camping and fishing gear, and mountain bikes and cruiser bikes are available as well.

There’s also a small store, laundry facilities, showers and flush toilets, sand area for small children, badminton area, free WiFi, and a log cook shelter with a BBQ and fridge for 20 people or more to use. You can also get trail maps from the campground staff.

The Glacier Mountain Lodge

The Glacier Mountain Lodge (869 Shell Rd, Blue River, BC V0E 1J0) is a lovely hotel right next to the Petro Can gas station, and is ideal if you’re looking for comfort, but don’t want to spend a fortune. They offer 35 standard rooms, with one Queen (with a couch), or two Queen beds (and with a third single bed, if needed). Continental breakfast, an indoor hot tub, WiFi, free laundry service, and BBQ are available for guests as well.

The Sandman Inn

The Sandman Inn (795 Highway 5 South, Blue River, BC V0E 1J0) is right next to Highway #5, that goes through Blue River. It has one or two Queen bed rooms, and your furry friends are welcome, too! Moreover, seniors get a special rate at this hotel. Room rates start at C$ 150.00 per night, and free parking and WiFi are of course included.

The Glacier Mountain Lodge (left) and the Sandman Inn (right).

Where to Eat & Drink

If your stomach is screaming for food when you arrive in Blue River, head to the Grizzly Food Shack, which is right next to the Glacier Mountain Lodge. This tiny house style place has an outside sitting area, perfect on a sunny day (if it’s raining, just get takeout ;))! You can choose between many types of burgers, wraps, fries, hot dogs, poutine, salads, and even breakfast!

My favourite is the Portabella Veggie Burger on a pretzel bun, with greens, avocado, tomato, cucumber, cheese, and pickles. Lastly, the pesto spread and onion ring at the bottom are the bomb as well! They are open Monday to Friday from 8 am to 8 pm, and 11 am to 8 pm on Saturdays.

Or you if you’re hanging out by Eleanor Lake, grab some food from the Don Forsyth Beach House. Their menu consists of burgers, hot dogs, wraps, fries, pop, ice-cream, and more! They also have a Veggie Burger, and it’s a great way to support the local economy, plus the food is prepared by lovely volunteers of the Blue River Community Association!

The Beach House is open on weekends only until the rest of the summer.

The Don Forsyth Beach House, Veggie Burger and Beach Burger, and onion rings. So yummy :p

The Grill (or CJ’s Grill), a Greek restaurant and local favourite, is right next to the Sandman Inn. It’s open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and the portions are quite large! Some of the breakfast items are pancakes, omelettes, french toast, eggs benny’s, and skillets.

For lunch and dinner, you can choose between Greek dishes (like Souvlaki, Spanakopita, Greek salad, and Fratzolaki), but they also have pizza, sandwiches, chicken wings, ribs, steaks, fish & chips, stir fries, and much more!

Take out is possible as well, but note that they don’t offer delivery. My favourites are their Cheese and Tomato Sauce Pizza with mushrooms and pineapple, and Spanakopita!

Unfortunately, the Saddle Mountain Restaurant is closed for this summer, but hopefully, they’ll reopen next summer!

For a drink after dinner, check out the Royal Canadian Legion (817 Pine St, Blue River, BC V0E 1J0), the only bar in town. Although a bit outdated, it’s a fun place to hang out, and they have some games as well (pool and darts on the wall). It’s currently open on Fridays and Saturdays only, from 6 to 9 pm (or later, depending on business).

Or if you prefer to cook your own meals, Blue River has a small liquor and convenience store called the Tilted Bear Liquor (848 Cedar St, Blue River, BC V0E 1J0). They have a limited supply of groceries (e.g. fresh produce, dairy, meat, canned food, spices, and sometimes even vegan cheese)!

There’s the Buy Low Foods grocery store in Clearwater, and a smaller IGA store in Valemount (both an hour away from Blue River) as well.

How to get to Blue River

Blue River is halfway between Kamloops, BC, and Jasper, Alberta (2.5 hours each way), and is reached via Highway #5 North (Yellowhead Highway).

The closest airport is Kamloops Airport, which offers flights to Calgary and Vancouver several times a day.

Unfortunately, public transportation to this tiny remote town is very limited. The Thompson Valley Charters bus from Edmonton to Kamloops (and vice versa) stops here twice a week (Mondays and Thursdays from Kamloops and Tuesdays and Fridays from Edmonton). The bus always stops next to the Petro Can gas station.

Moreover, The Canadian operated by Via Rail stops here on Wednesdays and Saturdays (to Vancouver) and Tuesdays and Saturdays (to Toronto). But please keep in mind that this train is often delayed (sometimes even several hours!).

I hope this post has inspired you to visit Blue River sometime! In my opinion, it’s a welcoming and tranquil place to relax and recharge from city life!

If you’d like to learn more about cool things to do in BC, check out these blog posts:

How to Spend a Weekend in Kelowna, BC

The Best Nanaimo Travel Guide

Our Visits to Golden, BC

June 22, 2022 2