Gifu » Hida, Takayama, Shirakawa-go
Hida Takayama, also known as Takayama City, is located in northern Gifu Prefecture. This area overlooks the Northern Alps to the northeast, with spectacular mountains such as Mount Yarigatake and Mount Hotaka, and is the center of the Hida region. For this reason, it is familiarly known as Hida Takayama.
Here, the historical castle town and merchant towns from the Edo period remain beautifully preserved, and the area is called "Hida's Little Kyoto" by many tourists for its beauty.
The main attractions in the Hida Takayama area include the Takayama Jinya (castle camp) and the Hida Daishonryu Caves.
Takayama Jinya" is the name given to the post of the Edo-period governor established by the Edo shogunate to administer the Hida Province. This building was used as an official office until 1969, when it was decided to preserve it as a cultural asset due to its valuable historical value.
In 1996, the storehouse manager's house, the county commissioner's house, and the Oku-zashiki (back room) were restored, faithfully recreating the way they looked in the Edo period. Today, it is a popular spot that is definitely worth a visit for tourists visiting the Hida Takayama area.
The Hida Grand Stalactite Caves, discovered in 1965 by Ohashi Togichi, are the highest stalactite caves in Japan (900 m).
The cave is dotted with many natural formations that can only be produced in a closed and humid environment, such as helictite, which is scientifically rare and unique to limestone caves, and fossils such as sea lilies and fusurina, which are found in the cave. For this reason, the area is highly regarded by tourists and has become a popular tourist attraction.
Shirakawa-go is an area spread out along the Shogawa River basin in Gifu Prefecture, and is famous throughout Japan for its gassho-zukuri villages. Because of its historical and cultural value, Shirakawa-go was designated as a national historic site in 1970 as "Etchu Gokayama Ainokura Village" and "Etchu Gokayama Suganuma Village," and in 1994 was selected as a national Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings.
In 1995, the village was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site (cultural heritage) as "Shirakawa-go and Gokayama Gassho-Zukuri Villages. Every year in February, the traditional rural landscape surrounded by mountains and the carefully preserved Gassho-zukuri villages attract visitors to enjoy the night view during the weekend light-up events.
A Timeless Japanese Landscape Preserved in the Mountains Shirakawa-go is a historic settlement nestled in the mountainous region of Gifu Prefecture, renowned for its remarkable collection of traditional gassho-style houses, many of which were built between the late Edo period (1603–1868) and the la...»
Hida Takayama is renowned for its beautifully preserved historic streets, where the atmosphere of old Japan remains alive. Among its most popular attractions is the Old Townscape, a district that preserves the appearance of the Edo period (1603–1868) and attracts visitors from around the world. Desi...»
The Takayama Festival is the collective name for two annual festivals held in Takayama, Gifu Prefecture: the Sanno Festival, the spring festival of Hie Shrine, and the Hachiman Festival, the autumn festival of Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine. The festival tradition is believed to have originated betwee...»
Hirayu Onsen is the oldest and one of the most historic hot spring resorts in the Okuhida region of Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture. Situated in a mountainous area at an elevation of approximately 1,283 meters, it is surrounded by the magnificent peaks of the Northern Japan Alps. The hot spring town...»
The Shinhotaka Ropeway offers an unforgettable aerial journey to an elevation of approximately 2,200 meters above sea level. It is home to Japan's only double-decker gondola ropeway, allowing visitors to enjoy a unique ride high above the mountains and experience breathtaking panoramic views. The r...»
Hirayu Great Falls is a spectacular waterfall measuring approximately 64 meters in height and 6 meters in width. It is considered one of the three great waterfalls of the Hida region and has been selected as one of Japan’s Top 100 Waterfalls and one of Gifu Prefecture’s 50 Famous Waters. The waterf...»
Shinhotaka-no-Yu is a popular day-use hot spring in the Shinhotaka Onsen area of the Oku-Hida Hot Spring Villages. Located beside the Gamata River, this open-air bath offers a wonderful opportunity to relax in natural hot spring water while admiring the surrounding mountains. Visitors can enjoy lush...»
Hida Great Limestone Cave is a spectacular limestone cave located at an elevation of approximately 900 meters, making it one of Japan’s highest-altitude tourist caves. Inside, visitors can discover an enchanting underground world featuring illuminated formations such as “Night View of the Dragon Pal...»
Hida Folk Village, also known as Hida no Sato, is an open-air museum that recreates the traditional mountain-village landscape of the Hida region. The grounds feature relocated historic houses, including gassho-style farmhouses with steeply pitched thatched roofs, characteristic of heavy-snowfall ar...»
Hida Kokubunji is a historic temple of the Koyasan Shingon Buddhist sect, located in Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture. It is regarded as the oldest temple in the Hida region, with a history spanning more than 1,000 years. The temple is said to have been established by the revered Buddhist priest Gyōki...»
Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine in Takayama, Gifu Prefecture. According to tradition, its origins date back to the reign of Emperor Nintoku, around 377 AD. At that time, a fearsome figure known as Ryōmen Sukuna was said to have threatened the people living in the mountains o...»
A jinya was an administrative complex where regional governors and magistrates carried out government duties during Japan’s Edo period (1603–1868). Such complexes typically included official offices, residences for governors or magistrates, and government storehouses. Takayama Jinya served as the a...»
Located within the grounds of Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine, where the autumn Takayama Festival is held, the Takayama Festival Floats Exhibition Hall displays the magnificent floats used in this celebrated event. The Takayama Festival is one of the biggest annual events in Hida-Takayama. Held twice ...»
The Former Toyama Family Folk Museum is located in Shirakawa Village, Gifu Prefecture. It preserves and exhibits historical materials related to traditional clothing, food, and housing, offering visitors an opportunity to experience the region’s way of life and cultural heritage. The museum is hous...»
Sakurayama Nikko Museum is an annex to the Takayama Festival Floats Exhibition Hall, dedicated to preserving and displaying an extraordinarily detailed scale model of Nikko Toshogu Shrine. During the Taisho period (1912–1926), 33 skilled craftsmen, led by Kichijuro Hasegawa, spent 15 years creating ...»
Ohashi Collection Museum displays a remarkable collection assembled by Sotokichi Ohashi, the discoverer of Hida Great Limestone Cave. Opened in 1987, the museum is located within the grounds of the limestone cave attraction. Situated along the route to the cave entrance, it can be conveniently visit...»
Hirayu Folklore Museum is a museum located in the Hirayu Onsen hot spring district of Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture. Its main attraction is the former Toyosaka Family Residence, a traditional farmhouse built in the mid-Edo period (1603–1868), which is open to the public. The grounds feature severa...»
Hida Takayama Ramen is a beloved local noodle dish from Takayama, in the Hida region of Gifu Prefecture. Known for its distinctive soy sauce flavor and Japanese-style broth, this ramen has a long history and remains an essential part of the area's food culture....»
Hida red turnip pickles are a traditional preserved food made primarily from Hida Beni-maru Kabu, a heritage vegetable of the Hida and Mino regions of Gifu Prefecture. Cultivated mainly around Takayama, these turnips are known for their fine-grained flesh, smooth texture, and naturally mild sweetnes...»
A Beloved Early-Summer Specialty with a Fragrant Magnolia Leaf Aroma Hoba sushi is a traditional local dish enjoyed in the Hida region and other parts of Gifu Prefecture. This distinctive sushi is made by placing vinegared rice and various toppings on large magnolia leaves, which are then folded ar...»
Hida Beef is a premium brand of Japanese Black Wagyu raised in Gifu Prefecture. To qualify for this designation, cattle must be raised in Gifu for at least 14 months and receive a carcass grade ranging from A5, the highest quality category, to B3 under the Japanese grading system....»
Tsukemono steak is a distinctive regional dish from the Hida area of Gifu Prefecture. Locally, it is often called “tsuke-ste,” and it is a popular menu item at many izakaya, or traditional Japanese pubs, throughout the region....»
Hida beef skewers offer a delicious way to enjoy Hida beef, one of Japan's renowned premium beef brands. Grilled over a flame and served on a skewer, this local specialty delivers a flavor and texture that differ from those of a traditional steak....»
Hida soba is a regional specialty of the Hida area in Gifu Prefecture, where the natural environment at the foot of the Northern Alps helps produce flavorful buckwheat. Buckwheat is said to develop greater depth of flavor and natural sweetness when grown under moderate environmental stress. The Hida...»
Kawa fugu is a regional specialty of the Hida area in Gifu Prefecture. Despite its name, which translates roughly as “river pufferfish,” it is actually American catfish. Its delicate flavor and elegant taste have earned it a reputation as a mountain-region delicacy that rivals the appeal of traditio...»
Hida beef is a premium brand of Japanese Black Wagyu raised mainly in the Hida region of Gifu Prefecture. The designation is reserved for beef from cattle that receive a carcass quality grade of 3, 4, or 5 under Japan’s meat grading standards. Hida beef is known for its abundant marbling, delicate ...»
Hida shinazuke is a traditional assortment of salt-pickled vegetables from the Hida region of Gifu Prefecture. Ingredients typically include locally grown red turnips, cucumbers, daikon radishes, and mushrooms. The name “shinazuke” refers to the variety of different ingredients used to make these pi...»
Along Ninomachi Street in Hida-Furukawa, a historic street where traditional inns and shops once lined the road and traces of the past can still be felt today, you will find Inohiro Miso Senbei Honpo, a long-established confectionery specializing in miso-flavored rice crackers. Founded in 1908, the...»
A Simple, Sweet Treat with a Delightful Crunch Mame Tsukage is a traditional soybean snack that has been enjoyed for generations in the Hida region of Gifu Prefecture, particularly around Hida-Furukawa. It is a simple homemade confection that reflects the area's traditional food culture....»
Hida Jidori is a rare local chicken breed raised in the Hida region of Gifu Prefecture. It is produced by crossing a large male Kuro-Satsuma chicken, a type of black gamefowl, with a female Nagoya Cochin. Because annual production is limited, this distinctive chicken is a prized regional specialty....»
Hida Torafugu is a distinctive regional specialty produced in the mountainous Hida region of Gifu Prefecture. Although tiger pufferfish is traditionally associated with coastal areas, these fish are raised inland using mineral-rich groundwater in the clean air and natural surroundings of Hida. The ...»
Sukuna pumpkin is a distinctive local vegetable grown in Nyukawa Town, Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture, formerly part of Ono District. This traditional variety is prized for its unusual shape, natural sweetness, and rarity, reflecting the unique growing conditions of the Hida region. The pumpkin tak...»
Aburae, known more widely in Japan as egoma or perilla, is a traditional ingredient deeply rooted in the food culture of the Hida region in Gifu Prefecture. It has long been an essential part of local celebrations and festivals, as well as everyday meals. One popular way to enjoy aburae is to make ...»
Hida Ippon-Futo Negi is a traditional thick Japanese leek cultivated mainly in Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture, including the former Takayama City and Nyukawa Village areas. It is prized for its natural sweetness, rich flavor, and pleasantly sticky texture, making it especially well suited to warming...»
A Traditional Vegetable of the Hida Region Hida Beni Kabu is a distinctive red turnip cultivated mainly in Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture, including the former Takayama City and Nyukawa Village areas. Nyukawa Village was historically known as Hachiga-go, where a round, reddish-purple turnip called...»
Hida Yamakkō is a variety of shiitake mushroom cultivated in the Hida region of Gifu Prefecture. Known for its thick flesh, firm texture, and rich flavor, it is sometimes described as the “abalone of the mountains” because of its satisfying bite....»
Hida Beer is a locally brewed beer created by people who live and work in Takayama, in the Hida region of Gifu Prefecture. With a strong commitment to local craftsmanship, the brewery follows the guiding principle that nature provides the resources needed to make good beer....»
Tochinomi senbei are thin, crispy Japanese crackers made by mixing horse chestnuts with wheat flour and baking the dough until fragrant and golden. A well-loved specialty of the Hida region in Gifu Prefecture, these crackers showcase the distinctive flavor of a traditional mountain ingredient....»
Kuri yose, also known as chestnut steamed yokan, is a traditional Japanese confection that has long been cherished by the people of Hida Takayama in Gifu Prefecture. This elegant sweet is known for its generous pieces of chestnut embedded in a smooth, gently sweet red bean paste....»
Takahara sansho is a high-quality Japanese pepper grown in the Okuhida Onsenkyo hot spring area and Kamitakara district of Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture. Renowned for its distinctive fragrance and excellent quality, this regional specialty has a history dating back several centuries. Records from ...»
Shiromayumi is a Japanese sake brand crafted by Kara Shuzo, a historic brewery in the Hida region of Gifu Prefecture. With approximately 300 years of brewing tradition, the brewery has remained dedicated to producing high-quality sake and has received numerous awards and honors at sake competitions....»
Otsubo Shuzoten is a traditional sake brewery in the Hida region of Gifu Prefecture. Since its founding in 1842, during the Tenpo era, the brewery has remained committed to preserving the flavors and craftsmanship of handmade Japanese sake. Its two principal brands, Hida Musume and Jindai, have lon...»
Magnificent Festival Floats in an Underground Dome Hida Takayama Matsuri no Mori is a museum featuring six lavish festival floats created for the Heisei era, displayed inside an underground dome excavated into a mountainside. Surrounded by moving lights that create a dreamlike atmosphere, visitors...»
A Temple with a Rich History Ankokuji Temple is a temple of the Myōshin-ji school of Rinzai Zen Buddhism, located in Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture. It is also the 11th temple on the Hida Thirty-Three Kannon Pilgrimage. Its most notable feature is the temple repository, a designated National Treasu...»
Hida Seseragi Kaido is a scenic driving route approximately 64 kilometers long, stretching from Hachiman-cho in Gujo City through the Meiho area of Gujo City to Mikka-machi in Kiyomi-cho, Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture. The route offers beautiful seasonal scenery as well as numerous places where vis...»
Hida Ichinomiya Minashi Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture. It is listed in the Engishiki, an ancient record of shrines, and is renowned as the ichinomiya, or highest-ranking shrine, of the former Hida Province. It was formerly classified as a National Gover...»
Utsue Forty-Eight Waterfalls is a scenic gorge and waterfall complex located in Utsue, Kokufu Town, Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture. It lies along the upper reaches of the Utsue River, a tributary of the Miyagawa River, also known as the Jinzū River. The name refers collectively to a series of waterf...»
Hikaru Museum is a comprehensive museum located at 175 Nakayamacho, Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture. Formerly known as the Hikaru Memorial Museum, it is an officially approved exhibition facility and a registered museum in Gifu Prefecture. The museum aims to promote regional culture and encourage int...»
Mount Hotaka (Hotakadake) is the collective name for a group of mountains in the Hida Mountains of Chūbu-Sangaku National Park, centered on Mount Okuhotaka, which rises to 3,190 meters. Mount Okuhotaka is Japan’s third-highest peak, after Mount Fuji and Mount Kita. The Hotaka range is included among...»
Michi-no-Eki Hida Asahimura is a roadside station located in Mangoku, Asahi Town, Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture, along National Route 361. Surrounded by abundant natural beauty, it is a popular destination where visitors can enjoy local specialties while taking in views of Mount Norikura and Mount ...»