Takayama Old Town is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Gifu Prefecture. Once a thriving merchant district, it has been preserved by the Japanese government. Many houses and buildings here are hundreds of years old, giving visitors a genuine feel of the Edo period. Many of these buildings are now open as museums, letting visitors see the interiors and household items on display. Most of them are located along Sanmachi-suji, east of Takayama Station.
The old town offers more than atmosphere — it also has several other interesting sights. One of them is the Old Sake Breweries. Sake is a well-known local specialty of Takayama, so old sake breweries can still be found around the old town. Look for a sugidama (a ball made from cedar branches) hanging at the entrance — these mark sake shops where visitors can sample sake and buy some to take home.
If you enjoy art and antiques, head to the museum district. This area is home to several museums worth visiting, including the Fujii Art Gallery (Fujii Folk Craft Museum), a folk art museum in an old building on Sannomachi Street, displaying household items and various works of art. The Hida Minzoku Kokokan (Hida Archaeology Museum) is located on Sannomachi Street, in a historic building that has barely changed since the Edo period. The Hirata Kinenkan (Hirata Folk Art Museum) was once the home of a candle merchant. It has since been converted into a museum open to the public, displaying household items and historical documents. Finally, to learn everything about this town, visit the Takayama Museum of History and Art (Takayama Hakubutsukan), an interesting museum showcasing the history and culture of Takayama, with several restored historic buildings inside.
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Highlights of Takayama Old Town
1. Old Sake Breweries
Visitor Information
Admission: Free
Hours: 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
Access: About a 10-minute walk from Takayama Station
2. Fujii Art Gallery (Fujii Folk Craft Museum)
Visitor Information
Admission: ¥700
Hours: 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
Closed: Mid-December and mid-March
Access: About an 11-minute walk from Takayama Station
3. Hida Minzoku Kokokan (Hida Archaeology Museum)
Visitor Information
Admission: ¥500
Hours: 9:00 AM–5:00 PM (November–February: 9:30 AM–4:00 PM)
Closed: Open daily
Access: About a 9-minute walk from Takayama Station
4. Hirata Kinenkan (Hirata Folk Art Museum)
Visitor Information
Admission: ¥300
Hours: 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
Closed: Open daily
Access: About a 10-minute walk from Takayama Station
5. Takayama Museum of History and Art (Takayama Hakubutsukan)
Visitor Information
Admission: Free
Hours: 9:00 AM–7:00 PM
Closed: Open daily
Access: About a 13-minute walk from Takayama Station
- Address: 20 Kamisannomachi, Takayama, Gifu 506-0846, Japan
- Hours: The old town is open 24 hours a day, but most shops open around 4:30 PM.
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://www.city.takayama.lg.jp/
- Coordinates: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ShwtvMbHhVg9SH269