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TAKAYAMA
Blessed by natural beauty and traditional culture
An extremely popular city, often favored by overseas visitors, Takayama offers ancient history, splendid natu-ral sites and the twice-yearly 'Takayama Matsuri' one of the most beautiful of all Japanese festivals.
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| History and Festival |
History of Takayama
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 Developed by feudal Lord Nakachika Kanamori some 4 centuries ago, the town of Takayama remained under the Kanamori administration through six generations until finally taken under direct control of the powerful Edo Shogunate Government. Takayama, prospered under the able Tokugawa Government becoming a wealthy market town and trading centre. The growing town with 10,000 citizens basked in well-earned prosperity while creating a distinctively attractive urban culture. True to its fine heritage, present day Takayama has endeavored to cherish and preserve its historical past while creating a comfortable environ-ment for today's elderly and citizens with restricted movement, by promoting the creation of a 'barrier-free' town under the banner of "To live in a comfort-able town is to reside in a town with total freedom of movement!" Since 2001 the city leaders have actively sought to increase the enjoyment of international tourists by providing colourful brochures, Internet websites, detailed maps and clear signage recog-nizing the visitor when armed with reliable reference materials is bound to enjoy, learn and appreciate so much more the rich history and fine traditional lore offered by wonderful Takayama.
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Takayama's ancient houses and streets
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 Ancient private houses along old, narrow streets remind of Japan's cultural flowering during the Edo Period. Sake breweries and affluent merchant's homes, stores and restau-rants offer local goods and delicious table fare. Several buildings have been transformed to museums and galleries for the art connoisseur.Designated a 'Nationally important historical building preservation area' Takayama's historical centre still echos to the sounds and sights when proud samurai warriors in full regalia walked the streets.
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| Takayama Festival |
Also Takayama City is famous for its magnificent Spring and Fall celebra-tions known as the 'Takayama Festivals'. Hida region yearly braves harsh and cold winters and the local folks first celebrate through exuberant festivities having survived till spring safely and later in autumn having garnered an abundant harvest.
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| The Hot Springs, 'Okuhida-Onsengo' |
Enjoy Hot springs
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 Located at the base of the North Alps, five 'onsen' collectively called 'Okuhi-daonsengo' (Oku Hida Hot Springs Village) offer visitors unparalleled, luxurious relaxation amid the splendor of a magnificent natural setting. Each of the five hot springs, 'Shin-Hodaka', 'Tochio', 'Shin-Hirayu', 'Fukuji' and 'Hirayu' are outdoor baths set so the user feels embraced within the folds of a scenic mountain range from whence stream limpid waters. The soothingly hot waters lull the bather to another dimension of well-being while admiring colourful autumn foliage or pristine winter snows.
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| Massive Nature of Northern Alps |
Idylic alpine landscapes
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 Close to the scenic Northern Alps, visitors to Takayama have numerous ways to admire Mother Nature and enjoy outdoor activities. Within the Mt. Norikura area are no fewer than 23 ridges, seven lakes, eight valleys and Kengamine pinnacle. This superb mountain is accessible by car via the Norikura Skyline, Japan's highest-altitude road all the way to the 2,700 metre mark.
 Japan's first double-deck ropeway gondola whisks the awe-struck visitor on a sensational, above-the-clouds ride fully 2,200 m. above sea level. Admire the panoramic view of Mt. Yarigatake and Mt. Hodaka, both impressively above 3,000 metres and Japan's North-ern Alps from the observation deck. At the visitor centre, hiking events to suit each season's special flavour are made available to the enthusiastic hiker.
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Access to Takayama
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| Savoring the local specialties! |
Mouth-wateringly tasty local specialties attest to the blessings of a generous natural setting. Only the best quality, nearly pure Gifu water issued from the Japanese Alps and almost free of chemical impurities is used locally to produce the finest brands of 'sake', saturated with natural flavours and delivering a delicate sensation on the palate.
 
'Hida' beef is praised world-wide by great chefs as the most succulent of meats, so expertly aged and tender it's said to melt on the lucky diner's tongue. A dish of 'Hida' beef along with tidbits of seasonal wild vegetables and herbs, accom-panied by fine 'sake' is a mouth-watering dining experience for any and all visitors to Takayama and a culinary feast never to be forgotten.
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