Hida Takayama is popular among tourists from Japan and abroad. I will introduce a 17-km half-day cycling tour from Takayama Station, with its charming scenery of old buildings, to spots around the city center with beautiful autumn leaves, and to enjoy gourmet foods and sweets.
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What is Takayama City, the largest city in Japan like?
Takayama City, known as the largest city in Japan, was merged with 9 neighboring towns and villages in 2005 and has an area of 2,177.61㎢, larger than Osaka and Kagawa prefectures and about the same size as Tokyo (2,193.96㎢).
In the central area of Takayama City, the castle town and merchant town that have been preserved since the Edo period (1603-1867) are called “Hida’s Little Kyoto” and are famous as a sightseeing spot.
Starting point is JR Takayama Station
To get to “Takayama Station” of JR Tokai Takayama Line, it takes about 3 hours and 40 minutes from Tokyo Station by JR limited express “Hida” from “Toyama” of Hokuriku Shinkansen Line.
From Nagoya Station, it takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes without changing trains by JR limited express “Hida”.
First, go to Takayama Jinya about 750m east from Takayama Station.
Takayama Jinya is the office of the deputy governor of Hida County, established by the Edo Shogunate to administer Hida Province as a directly controlled territory.
The red parapet of Naka-bashi bridge is just in front of the station.
Old Streets in Takayama
“Old Streets: Sanmachi Preservation Area for Groups of Traditional Buildings” is the name given to the three streets of the old town: the central part of the castle town, the upper part of the town that developed as a merchant town, and the lower part of the town.
Miyagawa Morning Market near the old streets is one of two morning markets held every morning in downtown Takayama, from 7:00 a.m. to noon from April to November, and from 8:00 a.m. to noon from December to March.
Breakfast at La Chaise, a cafe facing the street of Miyagawa Morning Market.
A view of Miya river flowing in front of the morning market. Willow trees and carp give it a tasteful atmosphere.
Hie Shrine
From the “old town”, ride about 1.5km to Hie Shrine.
Hie Shrine, with its lush trees and very refreshing and natural power, is known as a “sacred place for anime,” as it is said to have been the model for several famous animations and cartoons set in Takayama area.
If you convert the photo into an illustration style using an app on your phone, you will certainly get the feel of a sacred place.
From Hie Shrine, I rode south of Takayama Shiroyama Park toward Enako River.
South of Hie Shrine, you will go up and down a hill, although it is a short one. Then, go to Higashiyama Walking Course along Enako river.
Keep on riding leisurely along Enako river for about 2km to Miyamaebashi Bridge.
On the east side of Miyamaebashi Bridge is Otorii (Grand Gate) of Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine.
To the north of Miyamaebashi Bridge is the wooden Fudobashi Bridge. The bridge shows various expressions depending on the time of day and the season.
Hikaru Museum and Hida no Sato
From Fudobashi Bridge, ride about 3 km west on Prefectural Road458 to Hikaru Museum.
The exterior of the museum complex, which includes an exhibition room of human history and an art exhibition room, is based on the motif of buildings of the Mayan civilization, and is a completely different sight from the “old town”.
The trees in the parking lot are just turning red.
From Hikaru Museum, head south for 3.5km to Hida-no-Sato.
The slope in the residential area is covered with beautiful autumn leaves.
The slope ahead leads to Hida-no-sato, where old and valuable Hida houses, including Gassho-zukuri, have been reconstructed and restored.
From Hida-no-sato, ride west on Prefectural Route158 toward Takayama Station.
Hida beef lunch and café time
I went to Hida beef Maruaki about 400m from Takayama station.
I had lunch with Hida beef A5 sirloin steak (150g) set and Hida beef nigiri-zushi.
After lunch, I went to the nearby Ena Kawakamiya Takayama Hanaikada for a café and sweets.
This store offers Japanese and Western-style confections made with ingredients from Gifu Prefecture.
Sweets time with a mont blanc and café latte on the terrace.
After the café time, return to JR Takayama Station to finish cycling about 17 km.
Course Introduction
▼Hida Takayama Tourism Official Website
https://www.hida.jp/english/
▼Hie Shrine
https://hiejinja.com/
▼Hida beef Maruaki
https://www.hidagyu-maruaki.co.jp/
▼Enakawakamiya
https://www.enakawakamiya.co.jp/
Summary
As a popular sightseeing spot in Gifu Prefecture, the “old town” were crowded with many people after 10 am. However, if you ride a bicycle for a while, you can feel the calm and elegant “Takayama”.
If you have half a day, you can go cycling around downtown Takayama. There are plenty of rental bicycles around Takayama Station, so you can explore by bicycle to places that are not accessible on foot.
After cycling, enjoy a meal or a sweet treat.
