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Departing from Takayama [Regular sightseeing bus] World Heritage Sites Shirakawago and Gokayama Ainokura
4.6176 reviews7h 20m
from €56
Check availabilityMost booked tours and tickets in Takayama
From Takayama: Alpine Splendor - Shinhotaka Ropeway and Kamikochi
5.0163 reviews9h
from €188
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1-Day Takayama Tour: Explore Scenic Takayama and Shirakawago
4.9158 reviews9h
from €141
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Takayama Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
4.996 reviews4h
from €107
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Tickets and tours by attraction
The best options for each of Takayama's top sights, compared.
Top sights in Takayama
- 1Old Town (Sanmachi Suji)
- 2Morning Markets
- 3Sake Brewery Tours
- 4Hida Beef
- 5Takayama Festival
- 6Shirakawa-go Day Trip
- Walk Through a Living Edo-Period Town: Explore the impeccably preserved Sanmachi Suji district, where over 300-year-old merchant houses with latticed bay windows (mushiko mado) now house sake breweries like Funasaka Shuzo, miso shops, and traditional cafes. The Takayama Jinya, Japan's last remaining Edo-period provincial government office, offers a fascinating glimpse into historical administration.
- Savor World-Renowned Hida Beef: Indulge in the exceptionally marbled and tender Hida beef, a local delicacy. Try it as succulent skewers (kushiyaki) at the morning markets, as juicy steak at a specialist restaurant like Maruaki, or in a steaming bowl of Hida beef ramen. The quality is unparalleled, often considered on par with Kobe beef.
- Immerse Yourself in Festival Culture and Craftsmanship: Witness the breathtaking artistry of the Takayama Matsuri, held in spring and autumn, featuring towering, ornate floats (yatai) paraded through the streets. Year-round, you can admire these floats at the Takayama Festival Floats Exhibition Hall and explore the intricate woodworking traditions at the Hida Folk Village (Hida no Sato).
Tickets and passes in Takayama
Food and drink experiences in Takayama
Japanese Cooking Class with Local Family in Takayama Old Town
5.063 reviews3h
from €223
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Day trips and outdoor activities from Takayama
1-Day Tour from Takayama: Hida Folk Village, Caves & Ropeway
4.925 reviews8h
from €195
Check availabilityHidden gems in Takayama
Places most visitors miss, many of them free.
Kusakabe Heritage House
A stunning merchant's home in the old town, designated a National Treasure. It features exceptional latticework and a beautiful inner garden.
Sakurayama Nikkokan
A unique museum next to Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine displaying incredibly detailed 1/10th scale replicas of Nikko's Toshogu Shrine.
Hida Kokubun-ji Temple
Takayama's oldest temple, founded in the 8th century, featuring a three-story pagoda and a massive ginkgo tree over 1,200 years old.
Shōwa-kan Museum
A nostalgic museum dedicated to the Showa period (1926-1989), recreating a retro shopping street and household scenes.
The Path along the Enako River
A peaceful, tree-lined walking path that follows a small river north of the station, leading to a few local shrines.
Day trips from Takayama
Shirakawa-go (Ogimachi Village)
50 min by direct bus from Takayama Nohi Bus Center
A UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses, built with steep thatched roofs to withstand heavy snow. The village of Ogimachi looks like a scene from a fairy tale, especially when lit up in winter.
Kamikochi
90 min by bus from Takayama Station
A spectacular national park in the Northern Japan Alps, often called the "Japanese Yosemite." It offers pristine mountain scenery, crystal-clear rivers, and easy, flat walking trails along the Azusa River with views of peaks like the Hotaka range.
Hida Furukawa
15 min by train on the JR Takayama Line
A charming, smaller, and less touristy sister town to Takayama, with its own beautifully preserved old town and canals filled with colorful koi carp. It offers a more relaxed and authentic glimpse into the region's history.
Plan your Takayama trip
Things to do in Takayama: FAQ
What are the best things to do in Takayama?+
Top sights include Old Town (Sanmachi Suji), Morning Markets, Sake Brewery Tours and Hida Beef. Away from the crowds, try Kusakabe Heritage House and Sakurayama Nikkokan.
What are the most popular tours in Takayama?+
The most booked experiences on Viator are Departing from Takayama [Regular sightseeing bus] World Heritage Sites Shirakawago and Gokayama Ainokura (4.6 stars, 176 reviews); From Takayama: Alpine Splendor - Shinhotaka Ropeway and Kamikochi (5.0 stars, 163 reviews); 1-Day Takayama Tour: Explore Scenic Takayama and Shirakawago (4.9 stars, 158 reviews).
How much do tours in Takayama cost?+
The tours and tickets on this page start between €6 and €223 per person, depending on length and what is included.
Tours and prices from Viator, a Tripadvisor company. Prices change with your dates. We may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.