Getting to Takayama

By highway bus
  • 2.5 h
  • ¥4,400

There are multiple highway bus round trips per day between Matsumoto and Takayama, taking 2.5 hours and costing 4400 yen one way. Online bookings can be made through Willer. Seat reservations are mandatory.

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By JR trains
  • 4.5 h
  • ¥11,500
Covered by: Japan Rail Pass

Take the JR Shinano limited express from Matsumoto to Nagoya (2 hours, one train per hour) and transfer to the JR Hida limited express to Takayama (140 minutes, one train per hour). The one way fare is around 11,500 yen.

Above fees and schedules are subject to change. Be sure to check current yen exchange rates.

Getting around

JR Takayama Station and the adjacent Takayama Hida Bus Center are located about a ten minute walk from Takayama's old town on the opposite side of Miyagawa River.

Most of Takayama's attractions are within easy walking distance in the city center, except for the Hida no Sato open air museum and the Matsuri no Mori festival museum, which can be accessed in longer walks or 10-15 minute bus rides from Takayama Station.

The Sarubobo Bus is a bus for tourists that runs every 30 minutes between the station and Hida no Sato, with every second service continuing to the Matsuri no Mori. Furthermore, the Machinami Bus and the two Takumi Bus lines run from Takayama Station around the town center. The fare is 100 yen per ride on any of these buses or 500 yen for a 1-day pass, which provides unlimited rides on all four lines on one calendar day.

Guided tours on rickshaws (jinrikisha) are available in the old town. A 30 minute tour for two persons costs 7000 yen. Shorter and longer courses for up to three persons are also available.

Hotels around Takayama

    • Minshuku Kuwataniya
      A small inn with a full of quiet atmosphere and Japanese tradition. Onsen baths available. 6 min from JR Takayama Station. Close to major sightseeing spots. Free Wi-Fi.
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    • Modern hotel that brings local culture to travelers
      Within walking distance from JR Takayama Station and popular attractions like historic Sanmachi Street. In-hotel restaurant offers the best of local cuisine, including Hida beef and locally brewed sake.
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    • SOY
      Mid-range
      Located in 15-minute bus ride from JR Takayama Station, Guest House & Cafe SOY is surrounded by lush greenery. Free WIFi is provided and free private parking is available on site. The property also provides free pick-up service from JR Takayama Station. Free shuttle bus service is available when check-in, check-out, after dinner. Rooms at Guest House & Cafe SOY are air conditioned and fitted with a seating area. A hairdryer and slippers are provided for your comfort. Shirakawa Village is a 50-minute drive away, while Takayama Old Town is a 20-minute away from the property. Hida Minzoku Mura Folk Village can be also reached in 12 minutes by car from Guest House & Cafe SOY.
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    • Hidaji (Adult Only)
      Luxury
      Nestled between untouched nature in the tranquil Northern Alps area, Hidaji offers spacious Japanese-style accommodation with traditional architecture. Guests can also request for massages and relax in the public hot-spring baths. JR Takayama Station is a 60-minute bus ride away. The air-conditioned rooms have tatami (woven-straw) floors and Japanese futon bedding. Each has a heated Kotasu table, a TV, a fridge and an electric kettle with green tea bags. All rooms come with an en suite bathroom and Yukata robes are provided for all guests. Free Wi-Fi is available in the public areas and you can look out into the traditional garden. Local gifts can be purchased at the souvenir shop. A safety deposit box and luggage storage is provided at the front desk. Traditional multi-course meals featuring Hida beef and local vegetables are served at the dining room. Fukuchi Onsen Bus Stop is a minute's walk from the property, while a free shuttle is available from Fukuchi Onsenguchi Bus Stop. Hidaji is a 25-minute drive from Shinhodaka Ropeway and a 40-minute drive from Kamikochi. Norikura is a 40-minute drive away.
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    • Auberge Hidanomori
      Mid-range
      Reopened after renovation in 2022, Auberge Hidanomori is situated in quiet hills, a 10-minute shuttle ride from JR Takayama Station. The property offers free WiFi access in rooms and in public areas including the shared TV lounge and the terrace. Each room has air-conditioning and heating facilities at Hidanomori Auberge. Bathrooms are shared. Free toiletries are provided. Guests here can enjoy outdoor activities like hiking or walking through the on-site garden, or just simply unwind at the shared lounge with some tea. Free on-site parking is also available. Breakfast is served in the dining hall starting at 07:30 daily. Freshly baked bread, salad, yogurt, tea and coffee are served, while Italian cuisine is served for dinner. Meals require advance reservations. From Auberge Hidanomori, Hida Minzoku Mura Folk Village and Takayama Jinya are within a 10-minute drive.
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    • Sumiyoshi Ryokan
      Luxury
      Located just a 1-minute walk from popular Miyagawa Morning Market in the heart of Takayama, Sumiyoshi Ryokan offers homely Japanese-style accommodation in the historic townhouse building. Free WiFi is available at the lobby and guestrooms. This hotel was selected as one of the Top 25 B&Bs and Inns in Japan by TripAdvisor's Travelers' Choice Award 2015. The inn is a 12-minute walk from JR Takayama Station. Takayama Jinya, an old government building, is a 7-minute walk away, and the streets full of old merchantsf houses can be reached within a 10-minute walk from the property. Rooms are fitted with tatami (woven-straw) flooring and traditional futon bedding. A low table and a TV with satellite channels are provided. Guests can relax in the room with free green tea. Ryokan Sumiyoshi has a spacious public baths and a small Japanese garden. There are many antiques like pots and samurai armours displayed at the lobby. Carefully prepared Japanese multi-course dinner, including Hida Beef sukiyaki dish, can be enjoyed at the guest room. Guests can choose to have either Japanese or Western breakfast to satisfy their appetite in the morning.
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    • Oyado Yamakyu
      Mid-range
      Yamakyu features classic Japanese-style accommodations with free Wi-Fi. Indoor and outdoor public baths are available for guests to relax in. JR Takayama Train Station is a 20-minute walk away and a free shuttle service is provided from the station. The air-conditioned rooms feature tatami (woven-straw) floors and Japanese futon bedding. A TV, yukata robes, safety box, towels and green tea bags are provided. Includes a private toilet but bathrooms are shared. Guests can enjoy the beautiful Japanese garden or request for relaxing massages. There are 1 computers at the lobby that guests can use. Complimentary coffee and a computer with free internet access are available as well. Local products can be purchased at the souvenir shop. There is a washing machine on site that guests can use for an additional fee. A traditional multi-course meal is served for dinner and a Japanese set menu is available for breakfast. All meals are served at the dining room. Yamakyu Inn is a 5-minute walk from Old Town, Takayama Jinya and the morning market. Hida No Sato Folk Village is a 20-minute bus ride away.
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    • Mozumo (Adult Only)
      Luxury
      Situated in a tranquil area in Gifu Region, a 52-minute drive away from JR Takayama Station, Mozumo boasts a hot-spring bath and rooms decorated with modern Japanese interior. Free WiFi and free private parking is available on site. Guests can savour hoba miso, a regional favorite, for breakfast. Rooms with contemporary Japanese design are fitted with tatami (woven-straw) flooring and come with a private open-air bath. Also comes with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV and a seating area with low table. The public bath and shared lounge offers views of the private forest. Guests can relax with massage at an additional charge. Various activities can be enjoyed in the surroundings, including skiing and fishing. Takayama Old Town is a 50-minute drive away, while Shirakawago can be reached with a 90-minute drive from Mozumo.
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    • Iroriyado Hidaya
      Luxury
      Situated 1.6 km from Takayama Station, Iroriyado Hidaya is a recently renovated 4-star accommodation in Takayama, boasting a garden, a shared lounge and private parking. It is located 2 km from Hida Minzoku Mura Folk Village and features luggage storage space. The ryokan has parking on-site, a hot spring bath and full-day security. All units in the ryokan are equipped with a kettle. With a shared bathroom fitted with a bidet and bathrobes, units at the ryokan also boast free WiFi. At the ryokan, each unit has air conditioning and a flat-screen TV. ? la carte and continental breakfast options with warm dishes, fresh pastries and fruits are available each morning at the ryokan. Gero Station is 47 km from Iroriyado Hidaya, while Fuji Folk Museum is 2.3 km from the property. Toyama Airport is 84 km away.
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    • Ryokan Kaminaka
      Mid-range
      Conveniently located just a 3-minute walk from JR Takayama Train Station and registered as an important cultural asset, Ryokan Kaminaka offers traditional Japanese-style accommodation with hot public baths, multi-course Kaiseki dinners served in guestsf rooms, and sleeping arrangements on the tatami (woven-straw) floor. Free Wi-Fi is provided throughout. Stepping into the rooms at Kaminaka Ryokan is like stepping back in time with LCD TV and air conditioning. Furnishings include sliding paper screens and a low table with floor cushions, and Yukata robes and green tea are provided. Only a 1-minute walk to Hida Kokubun Temple, the ryokan is a 10-minute walk to the Miyakawa Morning Market and Furui Machinami (Historic Streets). It is a 15-minute walk to Sakurayama Hachiman Temple. On-site parking is free. The ryokan boasts a beautiful Japanese garden, which features a 200-year old Japanese Azalea tree. Luggage can be left at the reception. The Japanese or Western set-menu breakfast is served at the dining room. Kaiseki dinners consist of regional specialities made using fresh seasonal, local ingredients.
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    • Takayama Ninja House
      Budget-friendly
      Located in Takayama, 1.3 km from Takayama Station and less than 1 km from the centre, Takayama Ninja House provides air-conditioned accommodation with free WiFi, and a shared lounge. This 1-star guest house offers a concierge service and a housekeeping service. Private parking can be arranged at an extra charge. The guest house offers certain units that include a terrace and city view, and every unit includes a shared bathroom and a tatami. At the guest house, the units come with bed linen and towels. Popular points of interest near the guest house include Fuji Folk Museum, Sakurayama Hachiman Shrine and Takayama Festival Float Exhibition Hall. Matsumoto Airport is 84 km away.
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    • Relax Hotel Takayama Station
      Luxury
      Ideally located in the centre of Takayama, Relax Hotel Takayama Station offers buffet breakfast and free WiFi throughout the property. This 4-star hotel offers a concierge service and luggage storage space. The property is non-smoking and is set 100 metres from Takayama Station. The private bathroom is fitted with a bidet, free toiletries and a hairdryer. At the hotel the rooms are equipped with air conditioning and a flat-screen TV. Popular points of interest near Relax Hotel Takayama Station include Fuji Folk Museum, Yoshijima Heritage House and Sakurayama Hachiman Shrine. Toyama Airport is 83 km from the property.
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