Takayama attractions

This merchant and moneychanger's house, dating from the 1890s, showcases the striking craftsmanship of traditional Takayama carpenters. Inside is a collection of folk art. Rumour has it that a Rockefeller tried to b…

This nostalgia bonanza from the Shōwa period (1926–89) concentrates on the years between 1955 and 1965, a time of great optimism between Japan's postwar malaise and the economic boom of the 1980s. Lose yourself amon…

Lovers of art-nouveau and art-deco glassware and furniture will appreciate this large private gallery set back from town with a ritzy cafe, its own London Bus shuttle (ask at the Tourist Information Center) and a sp…

On display here are over 300 shishi (lion) masks, instruments and drums related to festival dances. The main draw is the twice-hourly puppet show where you can see the mechanical karakuri ningyō (marionettes) in act…

A rotating selection of four of the 23 multi-tiered yatai (floats) used in Takayama Matsuri can be appreciated here. These spectacular creations, some dating from the 17th century, are prized for their flamboyant ca…

The sprawling, open-air Hida-no-sato is a highly recommended half-day trip. It features dozens of traditional houses and buildings, which were dismantled at their original sites throughout the region and rebuilt her…

These sprawling grounds south of Sanmachi-suji house the only remaining prefectural office building of the Tokugawa shogunate, originally the administrative centre for the Kanamori clan. The present main building da…

The original buildings of Takayama's oldest temple were constructed in the 8th century, but later destroyed by fire. The oldest of the present buildings dates from the 16th century. The temple's treasure hall houses…

The stately Shintō Sakurayama Hachiman-gū presides over Takayama Matsuri and is dedicated to the protection of Takayama. You can find a moment for quiet reflection among the pines around the temple, even during the …

Not to be confused with the Hida Takayama Museum of Art, this free museum is situated around pretty gardens and features 14 themed exhibition rooms relating to local history, culture, literature and the arts.