[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 old townscape is a combination of the townscapes of the castle town center of Takayama City, the upper town that developed as a merchant town, and the lower town. The streets are lined with mansions built from the end of the Edo period to the Meiji period. The street is lined with shops selling specialty products unique to Hida Takayama, such as local sake and magnolia miso, so you can enjoy eating while walking around. The festival floats used in the Takayama Festival Yatai Festival, which has been registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, are stored along the street.

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 Hachiman Shrine

506-0858 178 Sakuramachi, Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture

This is the site of the annual autumn Takayama Festival (Hachiman Festival). Within the grounds, there are sub-shrines such as Akiba Shrine, the god of fire prevention and protection; Tenmangu Shrine, dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane; Inari Shrine, the god of bountiful grains, prosperous business, sericulture, and various industries; Kotohira Shrine, dedicated to safe maritime traffic; and Terumae Shrine, dedicated to the god of bravery and teeth. You can take your time to visit these shrines while strolling around. During the reign of Emperor Nintoku, a villainous tribe called Ryomensukuna rebelled against the emperor and threatened the people in the mountains of Hida. It is said that Naniwa Neko Takefurikuma no Mikoto, who received an imperial order from the Shogun to subjugate them, led the government army into Hida (Nihon Shoki).

TAKAYAMA MATSURI YATAI KAIKAN -The Takayama Festival Floats Exhib...

178 Sakuramachi, Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture, 506-0858

The Takayama Matsuri Yatai Kaikan is located in Hida Takayama, Gifu Prefecture, almost in the center of the Japanese archipelago. The Takayama Festival, held in spring and autumn, is very famous, and is especially known for the beauty of the floats, which are the largest part of the festival. At this Takayama Festival Yatai Kaikan, three of the eleven floats displayed at the Autumn Takayama Festival are displayed in rotation. The Takayama Festival is held twice a year, and the shrines hosting the festival, the region in which the festival is held, and the floats used are different for each season. The autumn festival is the annual festival of Sakurayama Hachiman Shrine. The Takayama Matsuri Yatai Kaikan is located within the grounds of Sakurayama Hachiman Shrine, and displays the floats used in the Autumn Takayama Festival. The Autumn Takayama Festival is held every year on October 9th and 10th. At this museum, you can get a good feel for the atmosphere of the 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 Village

506-0055 1-590 Kamiokahonmachi, Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture

This village museum is lined with over 30 typical Hida houses, including the traditional Gassho-style houses, which are located in the Hida region, an area that receives heavy snowfall, and creates a village landscape of the past. Each house displays many items related to the life and daily necessities of rural villages, and also holds demonstrations and experiences of straw crafts, sashiko, braiding, and other crafts, as well as seasonal events. There is also the Hida Takayama Omoide Experience Center, where you can enjoy over 10 different experiences, such as making Sarubobo, without making a reservation, so you can enjoy both.

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.

Book Hotel Associa Takayama Resort at the best rate