Takayama is a beautiful, historic city nestled amongst the mountains in the Gifu Prefecture of Japan. It’s old town district, Sanmachi Suji is well preserved and dates back to the Edo period. It has an incredible old world charm, with narrow and bustling streets lined with picturesque wooden merchant houses selling gifts and local delicacies, which are illuminated at dusk by lanterns creating a soft inviting glow.
Be sure to catch Takayama’s morning market along the Miyagawa river, where locals and visitors gather to catch up and stroll by the stalls picking up fresh fruit and vegetables. When I visited it was winter and very cold in the morning, but a warm Takoyaki (Japanese octopus ball) warms you up instantly. The Miyagawa river itself flows through the entire town and it is a nice walk to follow alongside it stopping to take in the majestic famed Nakabashi Bridge along the way.
If you are looking for some spirituality there are many temples and shrines to discover in Takayama, such as Soyuji, Shorenji and the large Sakurayama Hachimangu complex which are all in lovely green surroundings.
Takayama is also home to some wonderful nature, the forested Shiroyama park is a particularly quiet and tranquil place to bring a picnic and enjoy the autumn leaves. It is a steep climb to the top but you are rewarded with fantastic views of the town and surrounding mountains.
Takayama is an absolute gem, rich in culture, atmosphere and natural beauty and is just one of the many reasons to visit the Central Honshū region whilst travelling through Japan.
Written and photographed by Danae Moanco – Me & My Camera photography, a Melbourne, Elwood and St Kilda wedding, family and travel photographer and videographer creating unique and natural handcrafted films and photographs.
