Sights in Takayama
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Sūkyō Mahikari Main World Shrine
Dominating Takayama's western skyline is the golden roof of the Main World Shrine of Sūkyō Mahikari, a new religion whose teachings are said to include healing via training courses and amulets that transmit divine light rays. Guided tours are available (call in advance for an English-speaking guide).
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Hida-no-Sato
The large, open-air Hida-no-Sato is highly recommended for its dozens of traditional houses, dismantled at their original sites throughout the region and rebuilt here. Allow at least three hours. During clear weather, there are good views across the town to the peaks of the Japan Alps.
Hida-no-Sato is in two sections. The western section features 12 old houses and a complex of traditional buildings. Displays are well presented and offer an excellent chance to see what rural life was like in previous centuries.
Hida-no-Sato is a 30-minute walk west from Takayama Station, but the route is not enjoyable. Either hire a bicycle, or catch a bus from Takayama bus station (高山濃飛バスセン…
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Takayama Yatai Kaikan
A rotating selection of four of the 23 multitiered yatai (floats) used in the Takayama Matsuri can be seen at Takayama Yatai Kaikan. These spectacular creations, some dating from the 17th century, are prized for their flamboyant carvings, metalwork and lacquerwork. A famous feature of some floats is karakuri, mechanical puppets that perform amazing tricks and acrobatics courtesy of eight accomplished puppeteers using 36 strings. A video gives a sense of the festival.
The Yatai Kaikan is on the grounds of the stately hillside shrine Sakurayama Hachiman-gū; the shrine's main buildings are behind the Yatai Kaikan. Dedicated to the protection of Takayama, the shrine also ov…
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Takayama-jō
The hilly districts in the east side of town are linked by a walking trail, particularly enjoyable in the early morning or late afternoon. Various trails lead through the Shiroyama-kōen park and up the mountainside to the ruins of the castle, Takayama-jō. As you descend, you can take a look at the temple, Shōren-ji, which was transferred to this site from the Shōkawa Valley when a dam was built there in 1960.
There are over a dozen temples (one houses the youth hostel) and shrines you can wander around before taking in the greenery of the park, Shiroyama-kōen. The tourist information office has descriptions of the temples and a simple map, or the Hida Takayama pamph…
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Takayama-jinya
These sprawling grounds south of the Sanmachi district house the only remaining prefectural office building of the Tokugawa shōgunate. Takayama-jinya was originally built in 1615 as the administrative centre for the Kanamori clan but was later taken over by the bakufu. The main gate was once reserved for high officials. The present main building dates back to 1816 and it was used as the local government office until 1969.
As well as government offices, a rice granary and a garden, there's a torture chamber with explanatory detail. Free guided tours in English are available (reservations advised). Takayama-jinya is a 15-minute walk east of the train station.
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Hida Kokubun-ji
Takayama's oldest temple, Hida Kokubun-ji was originally built in the 8th century and subsequently ravaged by fire; the oldest of the present buildings dates from the 16th century. The temple's treasure hall houses some Important Cultural Properties, and the courtyard boasts a three-storey pagoda and an impressively gnarled gingko tree, which is in remarkably good shape considering it's believed to be 1200 years old.
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Shunkei lacquerware Exhibition Hall
Shunkei lacquerware was introduced from Kyoto several centuries ago but has become Takayama's signature style and is used to produce boxes, trays and flower vases. This exhibition hall has more than 1000 pieces, including some dating from the 17th century. Unlike many other Japanese lacquer styles, shunkei is designed to show off the wood grain. A display shows production techniques, and the shop has occasional specials.
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Shōren-ji temple
This temple was transferred to this site from the Shōkawa Valley when a dam was built there in 1960. There are over a dozen temples (one houses the youth hostel) and shrines you can wander around before taking in the greenery of the park, Shiroyama-kōen. The tourist information office has descriptions of the temples and a simple map, or the Hida Takayama pamphlet has a more detailed map.
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Kusakabe Mingeikan
Down the block Kusakabe Mingeikan, built during the 1890s, showcases the striking craftsmanship of traditional Takayama carpenters. Inside is a collection of folk art.
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Yoshijima-ke
Design buffs shouldn't miss Yoshijima-ke, which is well covered in architectural publications. Its lack of ornamentation allows you to focus on the spare lines, soaring roof and skylight. Admission includes a cup of delicious shiitake tea, which you can also purchase for ¥600 per can.
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Shishi Kaikan
The Shishi Kaikan has a display of over 800 lion masks and musical instruments connected with the lion dances that are commonly performed at festivals in central and northern Japan. Admission includes twice-hourly demonstrations of karakuri - a good opportunity to view these marvellous puppets in action.
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Takayama Museum of Local History
Takayama Museum of Local History is devoted to the crafts and traditions of the region, with images carved by Enkū, a woodcarving priest who wandered the region in the 17th century. There are also several small but nicely maintained gardens.
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Sakurayama Nikkō-kan
Houses intricate models of the famous shrines at Nikkō. Lighting takes you from dawn to dusk and back again, allowing you to witness these sites in different kinds of light. Located next door to the Takayama Yatai Kaikan.
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Fujii Folkcraft Art Gallery
A private collection in an old merchant's house, with folk craft and ceramics, particularly from the Muromachi and Edo periods.
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Hida Folk Archaeological Museum
A former samurai house boasting interesting secret passageways and an old well in the courtyard.
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Hirata Folk Art Museum
Hirata Folk Art Museum dates from the turn of the 20th century and displays items from everyday rural Japanese life.
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Teramachi & Shiroyama-kōen
The hilly districts in the east of town are linked by a walking trail, which is particularly enjoyable in the early morning or late afternoon. Teramachi has over a dozen temples and shrines that you can wander around before taking in the greenery of Shiroyama-kōen. Various trails lead through the park and up the mountainside to the ruins of the castle, Takayama-jō (高山城跡).
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Takayama Shōwa-kan
Nostalgia for the mid-20th century is all the rage in Japan these days, and Takayama Shōwa-kan feels like a nostalgia bonanza from the era of Shōwa, the Japanese name for the previous emperor, known elsewhere as Hirohito. Though Shōwa ruled from 1926 to 1989, the museum concentrates on the period between 1955 and 1965, a time of great optimism between Japan's postwar malaise and pre-Titan boom. Lose yourself among the vehicles and movie posters, recreated storefronts, beauty salon and classroom.
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Sanmachi-suji
The centre of the old town, this district of three main streets (Ichi-no-Machi, Ni-no-Machi and San-no-Machi) is lined with traditional shops, restaurants and museums. Sake breweries are easily recognised by the spheres of cedar fronds: some open to the public in January and early February (the schedule is available at tourist offices); most of the year they just sell their wares. For beautiful nighttime shots, bring a tripod and set your camera's exposure to long.
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Morning Markets
Asa-ichi (morning markets) take place every morning from 7am to noon, starting an hour earlier from April to October. The Jinya-mae Morning Market (陣屋前朝市) is in front of Takayama-jinya; the Miya-gawa Morning Market (宮川朝市) is larger, situated along the east bank of the Miya-gawa, between Kaji-bashi and Yayoi-bashi. The markets provide a pleasant way to start the day, with a stroll past rugged farm-folk at their vegetable stands and stalls selling crafts of wood or fabric, pickles, souvenirs and that all-important steaming cuppa joe (or beer or sake for the hearty).
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Merchant Houses
North of Sanmachi are two excellent examples of Edo-period merchants' homes, with the living quarters in one section and the commercial/warehouse areas in another.
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