GIFU Hida Takayama Historic streetscapes and a convenient base for alpine adventure in the Northern Alps

Takayama and the surrounding area boast traditional architecture, opulent festivals and a range of the best mountains and onsen in Japan.

Widely considered Gifu's crown jewel, Takayama is a fantastic destination surrounded by the scenic alpine countryside of the Japan Alps . A destination in itself, Takayama is also an excellent base from which to explore the Japan Alps and the surrounding Hida area.

Trains from Nagoya and Toyama serve Takayama. The journey from Nagoya takes about 2 hours 20 minutes, and from Toyama it takes around 1 hour 30 minutes. Highway buses also operate to Takayama from Matsumoto .

Takayama is a popular destination year-round but is paticularly busy for the Takayama Festival in spring and autumn.

On festival days, the streets throng with visitors and locals who come to watch the festival procession and see the ornate floats. Accommodation can be hard to come by, so booking ahead is essential if you want to be in town to catch either festival.

The heart of Takayama city, the Sanmachi area of preserved buildings, attracts tourists from all over the country. You could spend a whole day wandering these old streets, buying souvenirs from the many craft shops, sampling local tea and digging into local treats like wagyu sushi.

A number of sake breweries are also located in and around the Sanmachi district, and tasting is possible.

Explore the two markets, one on the bank of the Miyagawa River and another in front of Takayama Jinya. Every morning, merchants set up their stalls, selling local produce and artisanal craftworks.

Takayama is a haven for history buffs. Hida Folk Village (Hida-no-Sato) preserves more than 30 historic buildings from the Hida area, including traditional homes with thatched roofs, some steep-angled in the local Gassho-zukuri style.

Takayama Matsuri Yatai Kaikan displays 4 of the ornately decorated floats that grace the streets during the town-wide festivals. Hida Takayama Town Museum tells the story of Takayama's founding and development, with exhibits on art and writers associated with the town.

Hirayu is the western gateway to Kamikochi (Matsumoto performs this role in the east), a hiker's paradise. Private vehicles are not permitted into the park in an effort to protect the natural environment.

Mt. Norikura is another popular hiking destination. To the west of Takayama, Mt. Hakusan is also a favored spot for climbers and nature photographers alike, with stunning waterfalls and lakes around the base of the mountain. Another option is the Shinhotaka Ropeway which takes visitors 2,156 meters above sea level, for views from above the clouds.

Fifty minutes by bus north of Takayama is Shirakawa-go , a UNESCO World Heritage site where visitors can wander around verdant gardens and carp-filled ponds. Many of the traditional gassho-zukuri houses are open to the public, and a few function as inns.

Hida Furukawa is something of a sibling to Takayama. Downriver and containing many of the same style of restored buildings, it can make for a peaceful escape from its more popular neighbor.

Thirty minutes northeast of Hida Furukawa stands Kamioka Castle. The current structure dates back to 1970 but the original was built on the same site in 1564. Some of the original walls and foundations remain and the castle is now a museum of weapons and armor.

An hour south of Takayama, or two hours north of Nagoya, Gero Onsen is a renowned hot spring resort. Charlie Chaplin visited and his statue stands to commemorate the event. There are three public baths, and the private ones attached to hotels and ryokan are open to the public at certain times of the day.

If you crave more than just relaxation, you can stroll the resort, visiting sights such as Onsenji Temple and Gassho Village, a small-scale version of the Hida Folk Village .