ONE DAY IN TAKAYAMA, JAPAN

Last Updated: July 10, 2024

Konnichiwa! Today we’re spending One Day in Takayama, a city in the Northern Japanese Alps in the Hida region. 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!) 😀

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. Thank you!

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 ¥4,000 for 20 minutes.

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, Japan), 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, Japan), 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.

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

A black and white cat is sitting on a window sill of the cat cafe.

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 ¥ 100)! The Neko no Tsuki Sakurayama Cat Café is open Tuesday to Sunday from 11 am to 5 pm (last entry is at 4:30 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!

The café sitting area and the Neko no Tsuki Sakurayama Cat Café from the 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, Japan), and the pathway to Higashiyama Hakusan Shrine (1-74 Wakatatsumachi, Takayama, Gifu, 506-0854, Japan). 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, Japan) 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, Japan), 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, Japan). 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, Japan). 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, Japan). 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:

Top 5 Things to do in Takayama | japan-guide.com

Watch this video on YouTube

Where to Stay in Takayama

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, Japan), 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.

Bathrooms are shared and 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.

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).

Where to Eat & Drink in Takayama

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, Japan) 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, Japan), a local Indian restaurant. I’m so glad I listened to 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. 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). 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).

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).

You can also book a daytime highway bus from Tokyo (Busta Shinjuku) to Takayama (5.5 hours), 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. 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: August 4, 2024

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 in Blue River

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. 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. Also, don’t forget to 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. Other wildlife living in the Blue River region are 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). Besides, 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 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 in Blue River

Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing

Address: 1 Harrwood Drive, Blue River BC V0E 1J, Canada

Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing is perfect if you’re looking for a special getaway experience. There are 22 cozy chalets (cabins) inside this famous heli ski resort. 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.

The Blue River Campground & RV Park

Address: 991 Blue River West Frontage Rd, Blue River, BC V0E 1J0, Canada

The Blue River Campground & RV Park is quite a budget-friendly option, with basic tent sites and full service sites. The campground is open from May to October, and has 52 tent and RV campsites, and cabins.

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

Address: 869 Shell Rd, Blue River, BC V0E 1J0, Canada

The Glacier Mountain Lodge is a lovely hotel right next to the Petro Can gas station. It 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

Address: 795 Highway 5 South, Blue River, BC V0E 1J0, Canada

The Sandman Inn 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.

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

Where to Eat & Drink in Blue River

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

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! What 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

Saddle Mountain Restaurant across from the Mike Wiegele Heli Ski resort is open daily during the summer months from 11 am to 8 pm. Their menu includes tasty burgers, sandwiches, pizza, salads, homemade chips, cocktails, and milkshakes! Sitting on the outside patio and enjoying the gorgeous mountain views is just another bonus of this restaurant.

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