[Hida Takayama] Hotel staff recommendations! 7 recommended spots you can visit by rental car

• Table of Contents
• 7 recommended sightseeing spots in Takayama that can be reached by car
• Why not stay at Hotel Associa Takayama Resort as your base for sightseeing?
• What you need to rent a car in Japan
• If you're looking to rent a car in Takayama, click here!
• Use a rental car and explore freely

7 recommended sightseeing spots in Takayama that can be reached by car

The Takayama area is dotted with tourist attractions, so traveling by rental car is very convenient.

In this article, we will introduce the procedures for renting a car in Japan as well as tourist spots within Takayama City.

① Takayama Jinya and the old townscape

Takayama Jinya is the site of a government office that was used for court cases and land management about 300 years ago. You can tour the building and learn about the government agencies and life at the time.

The fact that the building has remained in its original form is a rare find, and it has been designated a national historic site.

It is about a 10-minute drive from Hotel Associa Takayama Resort.

Takayama Jinya

506-0012 1-5 Hachikencho, Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture

It was originally one of the residences of the Kanamori family, the lord of Takayama Castle, but after Hida came under the direct control of the Tokugawa shogunate, magistrates and district leaders from Edo conducted Hida's politics here. This government office is called Jinya, and it is only here in Takayama that it remains in Japan. It was one of the residences of Kanamori, the lord of Takayama Castle. After the Kanamori clan moved to Uenoyama (Yamagata Prefecture), it became a territory under the direct control of the Tokugawa shogunate, and magistrates and district leaders came from Edo to set up government offices and manage the politics of Hida. This government office was called ``Takayama Jinya,'' and it was used to issue gifts and collect annual taxes.

The old townscape is a 5-minute walk from Takayama Jinya. It is a popular tourist spot in Takayama, which developed as a merchant town.

You can enjoy shopping and gourmet food at cafes, liquor stores, and traditional craft shops.

Hida Takayama old townscape

Kamisannomachi, Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture 506-0846

The area encompassing the three main streets of Takayama City - the castle town centre, Kamimachi, which developed as a merchant town, and Shitamachi - is known as the "Old Town." The area retains the atmosphere of the Edo period, overflowing with nostalgic charm, as if time has stood still, with beautiful streets lined with distinctive latticed windows, clear irrigation water flowing under the eaves, and sake breweries with "sakabayashi" (sake bayashi) balls made from cedar leaves hanging down. Designated as a nationally designated Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings, this area warmly welcomes visitors with a warm and emotional atmosphere. The streets are lined with shops selling Hida Takayama's specialty products, such as local sake and magnolia leaf miso, so you can enjoy sampling them as you stroll.

Learn more about Takayama Jinya

2) Sakurayama Hachiman Shrine and Takayama Festival Float Hall

This shrine holds the Takayama Festival, one of Japan's three most beautiful festivals, in the fall.

The adjacent Takayama Festival Yatai Kaikan exhibits the floats actually used in the Takayama Festival. The exhibits are replaced three times a year, so you can enjoy them all year round. In 2024, the festival will be held on Wednesday, October 9th and Thursday, October 10th.

It takes about 15 minutes by car from Hotel Associa Takayama Resort.

Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine

178 Sakuramachi, Takayama, Gifu Prefecture, 506-0858

This is the site of the annual Takayama Autumn Festival (Hachiman Festival). Within the grounds, you'll find Akiba Shrine, the god of fire prevention and protection; Tenman Shrine, dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane; Inari Shrine, dedicated to bountiful harvests, prosperous business, sericulture, and various industries; Kotohira Shrine, dedicated to safe maritime traffic; and Terusaki Shrine, dedicated to the gods of valor and teeth. Visitors can enjoy a leisurely stroll through these sub-shrines. During the reign of Emperor Nintoku, a villainous tribe called Ryomen-sukuna rebelled against the emperor and threatened the people in the Hida mountains. According to the Nihon Shoki, Naniwaneko Takefurukuma-no-Mikoto, under the imperial command of the Shogun for the expedition, is said to have led the government forces into Hida. It is said that Takefurukuma-no-Mikoto enshrined the venerable spirit of Emperor Ojin, the emperor at the time, and offered prayers for victory in battle in the sacred grounds of Sakurayama, marking the founding of the shrine.

Takayama Festival Floats Exhibition Hall

178 Sakuramachi, Takayama, Gifu Prefecture, 506-0858

The Takayama Festival Floats Exhibition Hall is in Hida Takayama, Gifu Prefecture, almost in the center of the Japanese archipelago. The Takayama Festival, held in spring and autumn, is extremely famous, and is particularly known for the beauty of the floats, the highlight of the festival. The Takayama Festival Floats Exhibition Hall alternates exhibiting four of the 11 floats pulled during the Takayama Autumn Festival, with nine puppeteers manipulating the floats. Takayama Festival is held twice a year, in spring and autumn, respectively in different host shrines, regions, and the floats used. The spring festival is annually held at Hie Shrine, while the autumn festival is held at Sakurayama Hachiman Shrine. The Takayama Festival Floats Exhibition Hall is located within the grounds of Sakurayama Hachiman Shrine and displays the floats used in the Takayama Autumn Festival. The Takayama Autumn Festival is held every year on October 9th and 10th. Visiting the Takayama Festival Floats Exhibition Hall allows you to fully experience the atmosphere of Takayama Festival.

Learn more about Sakurayama Hachiman Shrine

◆For more information about the Takayama Festival, click here

3. Hie Shrine

This shrine holds the Takayama Festival in the spring. The rows of cedar trees leading to the torii gates are mystical, and you can experience the changing seasons with fresh greenery in the summer and autumn leaves in the fall.

This shrine is popular with visitors from overseas, and appears in famous anime. (Spring Takayama Festival: The 2024 event took place on Sunday, April 14th and Monday, April 15th.)

It is about a 10-minute drive from Hotel Associa Takayama Resort.

Hie Shrine

506-0822 156 Shiroyama, Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture

Hie Shrine is a place where you can feel the power of nature in a very refreshing place with lush trees. It is also famous as the shrine that served as the model for Arakusu Shrine, which appears in the popular anime Hyouka, which is set in Takayama. The large cedar tree in front of the shrine that is over 1,000 years old has been designated as a natural monument by the prefecture, and the magnificent large cedar tree with its long, straight branches is truly impressive! ! Hie Shrine, the guardian deity of the southern half of the former Takayama castle town, is a very famous shrine as the place where the annual Takayama Festival (Sanno Festival) is held, which heralds the arrival of spring in Takayama.

Learn more about Hie Shrine

④Hida Folk Village and Hida Village

This outdoor museum is lined with typical Hida houses, creating an old rural landscape.

The building is lit up in summer, autumn and winter, allowing you to experience the changing seasons.

You can also enjoy activities such as making traditional crafts and baking rice crackers by hand.

It is about a 10-minute drive from Hotel Associa Takayama Resort.

Hida Folk Village

1-590 Kamiokamotomachi, Takayama, Gifu Prefecture, 506-0055

This village museum is lined with around 30 typical Hida homes, including Gassho-style houses which are traditional in the heavy-snow Hida region, and it embodies the scenery of the area's past farming and mountain villages. Each house displays a large number of tools used in rural village life, and also holds demonstrations and experiences of straw crafts, sashiko (traditional embroidery), braiding, etc. on a daily basis, as well as seasonal events.

⑤Shinhotaka Ropeway

This is the only double-decker gondola in Japan, and you can enjoy the spectacular views of the Northern Alps at an altitude of over 2,000 meters.

The area is attractive for its scenery that changes with each season and for the wide range of experiential activities.

It takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes by car from Hotel Associa Takayama Resort.

Shinhotaka Ropeway

506-1421 710-7 Okuhida Onsengo Kansaka, Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture

Ride above the clouds at an altitude of 2,200 meters on Japan's first double-decker gondola. There are magnificent views of the Northern Alps (Hida Mountains). You can see Mt. Kasagatake, the Hotaka Mountain Range, Mt. Yarigatake, Mt. Yakedake, and the Hakusan Mountain Range in the distance. It can also be used as a gateway to mountain climbing in the Hida Mountains. Barrier-free: Wheelchair accessible, multi-purpose toilet available, rental wheelchairs available

Learn more about the Shinhotaka Ropeway

⑥ Shirakawa-go (World Heritage Site)

Shirakawa-go is located in Shirakawa Village, Gifu Prefecture, and is famous for its beautiful Gassho-style buildings. It is registered as a World Heritage Site, and you can experience the traditional Japanese lifestyle and the great outdoors. It is about a 50-minute drive from Hotel Associa Takayama Resort.

Discover more of Shirakawa-go

⑦Kamikochi

Kamikochi is located in Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture, and can be reached in about an hour and a half by car and bus from Hotel Associa Takayama Resort.

There is a lot of beautiful and abundant nature remaining and it has been designated as a national conservation area. You can lose track of time and relax in the refreshing climate.

Kamikochi

Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture 390-1516

In order to protect the natural environment, Kamikochi has traffic restrictions for private cars. If you are coming from Takayama, you will need to transfer at Akandana Parking Lot on the way.

See details on access to Kamikochi

Why not stay at Hotel Associa Takayama Resort as your base for sightseeing?

Why not relax and unwind after your trip at Hotel Associa Takayama Resort can fully enjoy sightseeing in Takayama and feel close to nature?

Enjoy hot springs overlooking the magnificent natural scenery of Takayama, meals featuring the local specialty Hida beef, and a wonderful evening in the spacious lounge.

Hotel Associa Takayama Resort offers free parking, making it convenient for guests who rent cars. (Up to 200 standard private cars can be parked.)

Free parking

The free parking lot is available for use before check-in and after check-out, so you can enjoy sightseeing without worrying about time.

Book Hotel Associa Takayama Resort at the best rate

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What you need to rent a car in Japan

For those who would like to rent a car while sightseeing, we will introduce how to do so.

Firstly, you must be over 18 years old.

In addition, you will need a valid driver's license(※) and passport to rent a car.

*Driver's license issued in Japan (for those residing in Japan), international driver's license, driver's license and its translation (for licenses from Switzerland, Germany, France, Taiwan, Belgium, Slovenia, and Monaco)

Learn more about how to rent a car in Japan

Car rental reservations

When renting a car, you can make a reservation online or at the rental car company's counter.

Decide in advance the rental date and return date, and whether you need any options such as a car navigation system.

If you're looking to rent a car in Takayama, click here!

There are many rental car companies around Takayama Station, so you can rent a car as soon as you arrive at the station.

①Toyota Rent-a-Car Takayama Station Store

2. Niconico Rental Car Takayama Station Branch

③Eki Rent-a-Car Takayama Sales Office

④Carsta Rental Car Takayama Station Branch

Use a rental car and explore freely

When you visit Takayama, why not rent a car and explore the area freely? If you travel a little further, you can also access popular tourist destinations such as Shirakawa-go and Kamikochi.

Additionally, Hotel Associa Takayama Resort offers free parking, making it convenient for guests who come by car.

Please feel free to use it when traveling around Takayama.

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