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Takayama City Sights
Many of the museums are congregated in the San-machi Suji district, within a few minutes walk of one another, and they are relatively small. One day in this area should allow you to see several museums and enjoy the surroundings at a leisurely pace. Another day could be spent strolling in Shiroyama Park and around the temples and shrines of Higashiyama Teramachi, Or, if your time is very short, you might make this a half day and spend the rest of the day at Hida Minzoku-mura Folk Village. On a very tight schedule, you can get a taste of various places on a bus tour. However you arrange your visit to Takayama, we recommend that you give yourself some time to just wander around and enjoy the relaxing atmosphere of this "other side" of Japan.
Takayama Yatai Kaikan (Festival Floats Exhibition Hall): Sakurayama Nikko Kan: Visitors who cannot be in Takayama at the time of the Spring and Autumn festivals will find here a colorful display of four of the eleven floats used in the festival procession. The floats are changed seasonally so that each is on display for a few months of the year. You will notice that each float is different in style and decoration, reflecting the tradition of the district in Takayama to which it belongs. One-tenth scale replica of the Nikko-Toshogu are exhibited in the Sakuraama-Nikko Kan. Nikko-Toshogu enshrines leyasu Tokugawa (the first general of the Tokugawa Shogunate), which is located in Tochigi-pref. near Tokyo. This replica of Nikko-Toshogu consists of 28 buildings, Main Shrine, Worship Hall Five storied pagoda and so on. 9.00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. daily. Admission: 800 yen. Yoshijima-ke (Yoshijima Heritage House): Located next to the Kusakabe Mingei-kan Heritage House, this is another fine traditional house but in a different, more intimate style. Rebuilt in I 908 with absolute fidelity to the older structure it represents the best of local craftsmanship as applied to mer-chant houses, indeed it may be said to represent the finest qualities of rural Japanese buildings. The lattice work, a characteristic of Takayama houses and influenced by Kyoto, is especially famous, giving a sense of lightness and brightness to contrast with the massive beams and thick walls of the main structure. 9.00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m., except Tuesdays. Admission: 500. Takayama-shi Kyodo-kan (Local History Museum): This museum houses a vast collection of objects related to the old crafts and traditions of the region. The building itself is around 100 years old. Among special exhibits are wood carvings by Enku, a Buddhist priest who created religious statues in a unique, rustic style, and ancient clay vessels excavated in Takayama. 9.00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m., except Mondays. Admission: 300 yen. Takayama Jinya (Historical Government House): Once the seat of local government when Takayama was under the administration of the Kanamori clan, this is the only building of its kind in Japan. It was originally built in 161 5 and managed by the feudal authorities until the late 19th century when it was taken over by the local government. The existing buildings are the result of reconstruction in 1816. Resembling a palace on a small scale, the buildings are set within strong walls and approached by an imposing gateway. Inside the main build-ing are reception rooms and offices for government business; to the rear is a large granary where rice, the "currency" of pre-modern Japan, was stored. 8.45 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. daily. Admission 410 yen. Higashiyama Teramachi: This delightful district of Takayama is approached from Shiroyama Park (see separate description). Running north to south along an esplanade lined with trees, there are thirteen temples and five shrines here. The total distance from one end to the other is about 3.5 kilometers (2.2 miles). At the southernmost end, the beginning of the route as it is approached from Shiroyama Park, is Ena Shrine, which is surrounded by open fields. The next shrine on the way, Nishikiyama Shrine, is approached by steep stone steps and surrounded by cedars. Further on, many interesting tem ples and shrines are clustered together close to the center of town. If you are short of time, this group can be approached from Yasugawa-dori street, Takayama's main thoroughfare. Every temple or shrine has interesting buildings and many have fine statues and other treasured art objects. By visiting Higashiyama Teramachi you will fully understand why Takayama is called "little Kyoto". Takayama City |
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It
is possible to walk from one side of town to another in around twenty
minutes, yet to see every single one of Takayama's museums, temples,
shrines and sights would take several days. In this leaflet, we have
selected those places that are of particular interest and we suggest
that using the map and walking route below you make a personal plan
suited to your schedule and taste.
San-machi
Suji: This is actually the center of the old town of Takayama and is
still a living part of the city, despite its old buildings and quaint
atmosphere. The three main streets of San-machi Suji (lchino-machi,
Nino-machi and Sanno-machi) are narrow, and lined with stores selling
traditional wares, craftsmen's workshops, inns and breweries (indicated
by a ball made of cedar leaves hanging out-side). You will also find
restaurants serving local delicacies such as soba noodles, and a number
of antique shops specialising in old folk crafts. Scattered around the
district are also a remarkable number of small museums, where the buildings
are every bit as interesting as the items on display. You may also notice
some storehouses in which are kept the tall festival floats that are
brought out at Takayama's famous Spring and Autumn festivals. 
Morning
Markets: The Takayama Jinya and Miyagawa morning markets are among Takayama's
best-known sights. Every morning, from 7 a.m. to noon, farmers' wives
from nearby villages bring fresh produce - vegetables and flowers -
to these markets. The varieties of produce mark the changing seasons
in the mountains around the town. 
