Takayama
Takayama is a city in Japan's mountainous Gifu Prefecture. The narrow streets of its Sanmachi Suji historic district are lined with wooden merchants’ houses dating to the Edo Period, along with many small museums. The city is famed for its biannual Takayama Festival, going back to at least the mid-1600s, celebrating spring and fall with parades featuring ornate, gilded floats and puppet shows.
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Heritage building
Sights & Landmarks
Takayama Jinya is a well-preserved historical government building from the time of the shogun, which served as a local government office until 1969. Visitors can explore the tatami rooms and learn about their original functions. The rice storage area features displays and information about local government operations during the Edo era.
Locals made morning market in front of Jinya every morning from 7-10 am. They sell fruit, vegetables, handcrafted souvenirs with reasonable prices. I bought key chains and other souvenirs from one of the craftsman there.
Agtifa P — Google review
I enjoyed the experience and found the historical building really interesting—it gives you a great glimpse into Japan’s Edo-period government life. However, I do wish there had been more explanations in English. Most of the signs and information were in Japanese, so it was a bit hard to fully understand the context without a guide. Still, a beautiful place worth visiting if you appreciate history and architecture!
Takayama's Jinya is a very interesting example of civilian architecture before the Meiji Period. It offers valuable perspective against the long list of temples, shrines, and a dozen of casltes that survived to the modern day. The building is well kept, sports a sober but pretty garden, with some of the rooms filled with origian furniture. More importantly, it is the sole example of a government office from the Edo Period. Don't miss it when you are in Takayama
The exposition at Takayama Jinya was bigger than we expected and offered a really interesting glimpse into traditional Japanese interior and architecture.
All visitors are asked to remove their shoes at the entrance, place them in a plastic bag, and carry them throughout the visit — something to keep in mind before entering.
There’s no rush inside, and several peaceful spots let you sit on tatami mats and enjoy views of the surrounding nature. A calm and enriching experience overall.
I would highly recommend a visit here! We did a guided visit our tour guide, Yoshi (through Japan Guide Agency), and loved it. There really is a lot to see here. It was also a great activity to do in the rain.
Nice building and good to get some history. The joinery and structure of the building is phenomenal, something I really appreciated looking at. Educational on the buildings use and different methods of roofing.
The provincial governor dispatched by the Shogunate performed the official duties involved in ruling over Hida (e.g., the administration, policing and judicial functions). Takayama Jinya is the only such site of a provincial governor / magistrate’s office – of around 60 across Japan where the main building still remains today. Popular place with tourists and locals. Easy terrain, lot of easy walking. Wear comfy shoes, take water, mostly under cover. Great place for photography.
The explanations in the rooms could be a bit more detailed (there’s just one or two sentences per room), but seeing the beautiful garden during sunset is worth the small price of admission alone.
1 Chome-5 Hachikenmachi, Takayama, Gifu 506-0012, Japan•
Shopping
Market
Flea & Street Markets
The Miyagawa Morning Markets in Takayama, Japan, are a vibrant and bustling food market located near the stunning turquoise Miyagawa River. This daily market offers a wide variety of fresh produce, flowers, and handmade souvenirs from local vendors. The markets are deeply rooted in Japanese history, dating back to the Edo period when farmers gathered to sell their goods directly to consumers.
Interesting morning market where we get to see the different local crafts, produce and snacks. Can taste some sample food before buying. There are also small eateries to buy food along the stretch. Quite popular even on a weekday morning. A nice stroll alongside the river. A nice place to visit for first-time visitors to Takayama
Bugwagen — Google review
The Miyagawa Morning Market is one of the most well-known morning markets in Japan and a popular stop for visitors to Takayama. It’s located along the scenic Miyagawa River, creating a pleasant atmosphere for a morning stroll.
While the market is charming, it does feel more catered to tourists than locals, with many stalls selling souvenirs, snacks, and street food rather than everyday produce. The market street itself is relatively short, so you can easily walk through it in about 15–20 minutes.
That said, it’s still worth a visit for the lively atmosphere, friendly vendors, and the chance to sample local specialties like Hida beef skewers, fresh fruit, and traditional sweets while enjoying views of the river.
Miyagawa Morning Market is a wonderful place to explore local culture and flavours. The vendors are incredibly friendly, and you can find a wide variety of local foods, drinks, and souvenirs all in one place. Everything feels authentic and warmly welcoming.
It is highly recommended to visit before 12 PM, especially during colder weather. The cool, fresh air combined with the riverside setting creates a very peaceful atmosphere. You can enjoy the view of fish and ducks along the river while strolling through the market, which makes the experience even more delightful.
The food here is delicious — so good that you’ll probably feel full even before lunchtime arrives. Visiting during November and December is especially beautiful, as the autumn leaves display stunning colours that add to the charm of the market.
A must-visit spot if you want to experience local life, great food, and beautiful scenery in Takayama.
I visited the Miyagawa Morning Market around 7 a.m., but most of the shops were still closed and many vendors were just setting up their stalls. I realized it’s probably better to come a bit later, so I went back again around 8 a.m. By that time, more shops were open and the market felt livelier. There were stalls selling food, plants, and various souvenirs.
It’s not a very big market, but it has a nice and relaxed atmosphere. I think it’s a good place to walk around in the morning if you’re staying in Takayama and have some free time before noon. Coming a bit later than 7 a.m. would be better if you want to see more shops open.
There is free water, sake at the lobby at specific time. Some traditional snacks are available as well.
Parking space is enough and I can get a slot in front of the hotel.
Two public onsen which you can use if its not occupied. The is no clear instruction to customers that there is no bath cleaning facilities in it including water and soap. I cannot imagine how many of visitors jump into it without bath, thus I did not enjoy it much.
The bath facilities information can only be found in the TV bath usage information page. I take bath at room before going to onsen.
It's strongly suggesting post the message in front of the onsen and brief it from the staff as well. As not enough one know this practice before going to onsen.
The renewal room is large at 4th floor, you have to get 1 stair up without elevator. The room is packed with beds, tables and chair and not much free spaces. The in room onsen is wonderful and keep yourself private.
It’s an ok market, didn’t find it particularly interesting or appealing, but they sell some nice stuff along with the usual souvenirs for tourists.
It’s strange because everything shuts downs at noon and the city becomes almost like a ghost town.
Apparently some of the items the vendors are selling are made by the wives of local farmers, so look for handmade things and not souvenirs that seem to be made in a factory, that should help the local community better.
Also, as tourists, it’s not always easy to buy fresh produces, as you’re probable going to be on a bus for a few hours with no way of preserving food, so I didn’t personally buy anything to eat here.
We loved the vibe of the market. All the locals selling their homemade goods and fresh fruits in the morning was something I wish I could see in my town every day. We tried getting small samples and sharing them so we could taste everything the market had to offer, which was the best decision. Definitely bring cash and enjoy the atmosphere and all the homemade goods.
If you're planning to visit this place, it's definitely best to go right when the market opens in the morning, as it gets busy with tourists early.
If you wait until noon (around 12 PM), you'll find that many stalls are already closed, and a lot of the popular local snacks will be sold out.
They also sell souvenirs here, which are perfect for gifts to take home.
Shimosannomachi, Takayama, Gifu 506-0841, Japan•
Museum
Specialty Museums
The Takayama Matsuri Yatai Kaikan is a popular exhibition hall that showcases traditional hand-carved floats used in the biannual Takayama Matsuri festival. The Yoshijima family's history, dating back to 1784, is intertwined with sake brewing and can be explored at the exhibition.
Takayama Matsuri Yatai Kaikan is a museum dedicated to the spectacular festival floats (yatai) that play a key role in the famous Takayama Festival, held twice a year – in spring (April 14–15) and autumn (October 9–10).
The museum is located on the grounds of Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine.
The exhibition includes:
Festival floats (yatai): The museum displays four of the eleven elaborately decorated floats used during the autumn festival. The exhibits are rotated three times a year (in March, July, and November), allowing visitors to view different floats up close even outside the festival season.
Sakurayama Nikkokan: Adjacent to the main exhibition hall is a display featuring a detailed 1:10 scale model of the famous Toshogu Shrine in Nikko. This model, crafted by 33 artisans during the Taisho era, is an impressive example of traditional Japanese woodworking craftsmanship.
Admission fee: Adults: ¥1,000 (includes an audio guide, also available in English).
Anna K — Google review
It is a museum and exhibition hall devoted to the lovely floats of the Takayama Festival. Festival is held annually in April and October. The streets fill with tens of thousands of locals and visitors enjoying food from stalls and refreshments. Popular place, have to buy tickets. Easy terrain, easy walking around museum. Wear comfy shoes, take water, wear hat, sunscreen. Great place for photography.
We missed the festival by a few days (it’s on the 9th and 10th October), so we got to see some of the floats (4) at the museum.
Your visit will be rather quick because there’s not much to see, but you can learn a bit about the history behind the festival and the floats through the audioguides (available in english) and if you come with a guide, as it was our case. The video they show on the second floor is ok but rather dated, and the TV is quite small.
I enjoyed this display of the traditional floats, but a large tour group took away from the experience. Beautiful to see but quite a small display for what I expected. Enjoyed the scale models next door (part of admission), but the shrine and November colors were star of area
The Takayama Matsuri Yatai Kaikan is a museum in Takayama, Japan. It showcases the beautiful festival floats used in the famous Takayama Festival. These floats are large, colorful, and very detailed, highlighting the amazing craftsmanship of traditional artisans.
The museum also features video introductions and explanations, making it easier to understand the history and significance of the floats. English audio guides are available as well. It’s a great place to visit if you want to learn about traditional Japanese culture and festivals.
The floats are very impressive and interesting, but there are only 5 of them. And there isn't very much information written in the museum, it's all on the audio guide. So if you're not a fan of audio guides, like me, you're basically out of luck. It's quite a small museum so the 1000 yen price seems a bit steep.
One of the few places where one can truly understand the exhibits as the ticket comes with use of audio commentary kit in English and a few other languages.
Amazing to see the spring and autumn floats on display and understand more of the cultural, religious practices.
Ticket includes entrance to adjacent museum displaying a 1/10 model of Tokugawa mausoleum.
One of the coolest small museums I’ve visited. Amazing collection of matsuri yatai that must be seen to be believed. Gives great cultural context and history. A must visit in Takayama.
178 Sakuramachi, Takayama, Gifu 506-0858, Japan•
Mountain cable car
Ascend the breathtaking Hotaka Mountains with a ride on the Shinhotaka Ropeway, which takes visitors up to 2,156 meters in a double-decker gondola. From Nishihotakaguchi Station, you can take in stunning 360-degree views of peaks like Mt. Okuhotakadaka and Mt. Karasawadake.
Nice mountain view along the way. Best to drive there. Decided not to went up the ropeway as they have a live video onsite to show the conditions. Visibility was bad as was cloudy. Just walk around the area taking beautiful views of flowing river and mountain views.
Ivan T — Google review
Great way to get fast up the mountain. There is a live webcam on their site so you can see the conditions at the top. Nice to walk around and see the different observation decks
We went up in Autumn & it was stunning going up & over the ropeway.
As the mountain views open up before you - beautiful scenery.
Apart from the short walk around to the great viewpoints, took the pretty hard hike up the hill to the hut & the views were even better, although pretty concerned about any bears nearby!
Really enjoyed visiting here. Visited in autumn on Oct 24th 2025. Too early to see the trees in autumn colors unfortunately but some are already changing. Very fortunate as the weather is cooperating and we had a clear view of the mountains. The Ropeway has 2 storey just a short ride to the top.
Highlight of our trip. The views were absolutely fantastic and the ropeway itself was not expensive. The cafe did decent coffee. Gift shop was quite expensive but you would expect this for such a isolated location. At times I could see wait times becoming a issue. The visitors centre was shit for renovation and other work was being done at the top of ropeway 2 so it looses a star. The 'nature' walk was a nice quiet walk away from everyone and takes around a hour to to a circular route.
You can walk from the top of ropeway two towards a mountain top, but the signage is unclear and we were weary of walking too far away.
If the weather is foggy or raining I couldn't recommend a visit because you wouldn't be able to see anything.
Had a really great experience at Shinhotaka Ropeway. The views from the top were stunning, and the double-deck cable car ride itself felt unique and very smooth. The area is peaceful, the air is fresh, and everything is well-organized for visitors.
It does get crowded at certain times and the tickets can feel a bit pricey, but the scenery and overall experience were absolutely worth it. A wonderful spot to enjoy Japan’s mountain landscape.
It is nice up there. But do check the weather before going othewise there won't be much of a view. The ropeway ride is very short but scenic. There are places to walk around easily at the summit.
We went on the 15th of November. It wasn't snowing, about 4 degrees. The mountains did have some snow on them and there was snow forecast in the coming days. Well worth the trip!
710-7 Okuhida Onsengo Kansaka, Takayama, Gifu 506-1421, Japan•
Historical landmark
Neighborhoods
Sanmachi Suji, also known as the Old Town, is a captivating district in Takayama that showcases the charm of Edo-period streets. Lined with well-preserved merchant houses, sake breweries, and traditional shops, this area offers a glimpse into Japanese culture and lifestyle. The architecture reflects a blend of Edo, Meiji, and Taisho styles with latticed windows and wooden balconies.
Sanmachi Suji in Takayama is a beautifully preserved slice of Edo‑period Japan—often called “Little Kyoto”—featuring three charming streets (Kamiichino‑machi, Kaminino‑machi, Kamisanno‑machi) lined with traditional wooden buildings, latticed windows, grey stone walls, sake breweries, museums, shops, cafés, and street-food stalls .
Visitors love wandering early in the morning to enjoy the serene architecture and peaceful storefronts before the crowds arrive  . The area offers must‑try local delights—Hida beef sushi, grilled skewers, miso soup, fresh fruit juices—and sake tastings at historic breweries marked by cedar balls above their doors . Highlights also include the Yoshijima Heritage House, Takayama Jinya museum, and optional rickshaw rides that add charm to your stroll .
On the flip side, some find it touristy and crowded, especially midday; the quieter side streets and early visits help avoid that  . Still, the authentic atmosphere, rich heritage, and engaging local flavors make Sanmachi Suji a must‑see for history buffs, food lovers, and anyone seeking that timeless Japanese small‑town vibe.
Quick Tips:
• Visit around 9–10 AM or late afternoon for best light and fewer crowds  .
• Budget 1–2 hours to explore, pop into cafés, shop for souvenirs, or enjoy a sake tasting.
• Don’t miss nearby museums (Yoshijima House, Takayama Jinya) and optional activities like yukata rentals or rickshaws.
Overall Rating: 9/10 – A perfectly preserved, atmospheric historic district offering an immersive cultural and culinary experience, with only minor queueing during peak times.
Let me know if you’d like a version tailored for social media or a Japanese translation!
Sapi S — Google review
Sanmachi Suji @ Takayama 🇯🇵 – Golden Yatai, Sake & Festival Charm 🎏🍶🛍️
We visited Sanmachi Suji on 15 April during the Takayama Spring Festival, and it was an incredible experience. The historic alley was full of life, with yatai (festival floats) on display—the golden yatai was absolutely amazing, shining with intricate craftsmanship and traditional elegance.
The street was lined with traditional costume shops, paper umbrellas (和傘), local crafts, and souvenirs—perfect for festival-goers. We also enjoyed sake tasting at one of the local breweries, adding a rich cultural flavor to our walk.
With the backdrop of cherry blossoms and Edo-style buildings, it was a perfect blend of heritage and celebration. A must-visit during the spring festival! 🌸🍶✨
Visited on a Sunday evening and it was still quite crowded, but the atmosphere was lively and full of character. The old wooden buildings, traditional shops, and narrow streets made it feel like stepping back in time. Lots of little stores selling local crafts, snacks, and sake. Despite the crowd, it was still enjoyable to walk around and take in the historic charm of the area. Worth a visit if you're in Takayama.
Sanmachi Suji in Takayama on a rainy day, and it was absolutely beautiful in its own quiet way. The old wooden houses glistened under the raindrops, and the reflections on the wet stone streets made the whole town feel timeless.
The rain added a calm and romantic charm — fewer tourists, soft sounds of rain, and the smell of fresh wood and coffee from nearby cafés. Walking through those narrow lanes with an umbrella felt like stepping back in time.
If you ever visit Takayama, don’t skip Sanmachi Suji, even if it’s raining. In fact, that’s when it feels the most magical.
A quaint stretch lined with traditional wooden Japanese houses. Once private houses, they are now cafes/ restaurants or shops selling all kinds of Japanese products. A nice place to visit in Takayama
Sanmachi Suji in Takayama swept us into a living memory — a street where spring, tradition, and joy collide.
During Sanno Matsuri, the charming wooden houses opened their hearts — and sometimes their doors — offering travelers & tourists a taste of local sake and hospitality. The streets overflowed with energy as twelve yatai (festival floats), adorned with intricate details and adorable dolls, paraded through the crowds in synchronized celebration.
It was crowded, yes — but in the best kind of way. The kind of atmosphere that makes you feel part of something old, grand, and beautifully alive.
A walk through Sanmachi Suji during spring isn’t just a visit. It’s a traditional festival of the senses before leaving to Shirakawa-go two days later.
Very nice place, rich of old authentic Japanese culture, Tourist Friendly... A lot of good food arround that place
A lovely old style street in Takayama with some really nice shops. A must see is the sake brewery and the miso brewery.
20 Kamisannomachi, Takayama, Gifu 506-0846, Japan•
Top places to eat
affordable
Japanese restaurant
Suzuya Restaurant is a popular casual Japanese dining spot in Takayama, known for its specialty Hida Beef dishes. The restaurant offers Hida Steak cooked on Hoba leaf and Sukiyaki style dishes at reasonable prices. The English-friendly service provided by the dedicated crew adds to the pleasant dining experience. While it doesn't take reservations and may have long queues, many consider it one of the best places to eat in Takayama.
This was hands down the best restaurant we‘ve ever been to! We loved it so much that we came here 4 times in a row. Not only is the food amazing and super authentic, but the staff is very nice, kind, funny and attentive! We would love to come back to Takayama in the future just because of this restaurant! ♥️
Tanja A — Google review
Every praise in the comments section is true!
Yes it is a long wait, but it is soooo worth it.
what a memorable experience!
From the tender Hida beef to the exceptional service we had the best time here and highly recommend to try this place out!
Highly recommend this restaurant!! 🌟
They serve a variety of hoba-miso beef dishes 🥩 — rich, flavorful, and perfect with rice 🍚 The miso adds deep, savory kick.
What stood out most was the amazing service 💖 The staff are super friendly, full of energy, and seem to speak every language 😂 The whole place just gives off such good vibes ✨
💡 Tip: Go early — around 4:30 PM before opening. Once you’re seated and order, the food comes out fast! By the time I finished around 5:30 PM, the line was already huge.
Overall 8/10
Halal Menu available- Welcome Muslim
1) Ordered the Beef (8/10) set it was cooked on a special leaf, taste was good (but the beef is not from Hida), the bean sprouts taste is actually amazing.
2) Miso Chicken soup- (8.5/10)
Amazing food to eat on a chill day, Miso taste is not too strong and equipped with a lot of vegetables making it a mouthful dishes. I preferred to soak my rice into it directly (on a smaller bowl)
Even though the queue was super long (we almost gave up 😅), the Hida beef here was totally worth it — truly the MVP!
For those who don’t eat beef, don’t worry — they also have really tasty pork and chicken options too. Everything was full of flavor and well-prepared.
The staff were also very nice and entertaining
It’s definitely worth the wait! If you come right after the restaurant opens, be prepared to wait around 2 hours.
Fun fact: the staff will come out to check how many people they can still accept. If you’re the last group they can take, they’ll give you a card or paper to show others — basically saying, “Sorry, we’re the last in line!” Such a thoughtful and organized system.
This restaurant featuring Hida beef offered good flavor and overall quality, with well-prepared ingredients and attentive service. However, the experience leaned noticeably toward the tourist side, both in atmosphere and pricing. The staff also came across as somewhat pushy, which detracted from the otherwise enjoyable meal. A decent option, but not ideal if you’re seeking a more authentic or relaxed dining experience
Hands down the best meat we ever had. Forget about Kobe beef or beef from any other place e.g Argentina or the US. Get Hida beef instead!
Everyone was very helpful and explained to us how to properly cook the meat on the char coal grill.
Excellent food and impeccable service. The people were so funny and friendly. The beef was delicious and the plume wine was so good which they offer for free.
24 Hanakawamachi, Takayama, Gifu 506-0015, Japan•
affordable
Japanese restaurant
The rustic meat eatery Sakaguchiya is known for serving up delicious Hida beef sushi. The speciality here is cooked and served on a rice cracker as a plate, making it an environmentally friendly choice as there is little waste produced. The restaurant itself has an old-school Japanese vibe, perfect for experiencing the unique atmosphere of Hida cuisine.
I had the Hida sushi at Sakaguchiya, and it was absolutely mouthwatering. It was my first time trying it, and the flavors were incredible. However, the price is on the higher side—$9 for just two pieces. While I can’t fully justify the cost since I’m not familiar with how expensive Hida beef typically is, the taste certainly didn’t disappoint. I also liked the unique touch of serving it on a cracker, which doubled as both a plate and a tasty part of the dish. Despite the price, it’s a memorable experience for sushi lovers!
G A — Google review
Best ramen in all of Takayama. Great traditional experience sitting at the tables without shoes in the booths. Food and service was fantastic and I would recommend popping in. There can sometimes be a queue so write your name on the board and wait your turn. 5-20 minute wait to get in.
The one food item that the YouTube vloggers said was a must-try in Takayama was the Hida Beef Sushi. These self-absorbed, follower-chasing travelers would rave about the tenderness of the meat and then immediately tell me to press the Subscribe button. Alas, it did look like a tasty morsel on camera, and this was the place mentioned the most to get it.
Jamie W and I were strolling on Sanmachi Suji, the heart of Takayama's Old Town, when we came upon this spot. While the street was crowded, surprisingly the order window was not. That was likely because they were sold out of two of the three levels of Hida Beef Sushi - the ¥600 Lean version and the ¥1,000 Premium version. That left the ¥800 Medium-Fat version, so we naturally ordered it to share.
The long slices of tender-looking Hida beef were slightly seared, placed over sushi rice nigiri-style, and lacquered with a horseradish soy sauce. It was placed on a flat rice cracker with a tiny dab of wasabi on top. It was prepared medium-rare, which was a plus, though the meat was slightly chewier than expected. Still, it was gone in a matter of minutes, and we didn't spend much time perusing the rest of their restaurant menu.
FOOD - 4 stars...tender but slightly chewy
AMBIANCE - 3 stars...not much atmosphere though they had open seating inside
SERVICE - 4 stars...pretty automatic though the process was meticulous
TOTAL - 4 stars...Hida Beef Sushi...check!
Its incredible authentic experience. The servis is very friendly. There is wide selection and menu is in English too. One of the best meet we ever had. We took roast beef, its was very soft and rump steak, also delicious.
Another popular spot for Hida beef sushi 🍣 in the area!
I came around 4 PM, so the top one was already sold out 😅 Tried set A and premium-fat B — A was a bit chewy, but B was melt-in-your-mouth soft 🤤✨
Tip: eat it right away or the rice might stick to the cracker 🍘
There’s also a small dine-in space where you can sit and wash your hands 💧🪑
Ordered the beef sushi street food set for ¥1,200. Honestly, it looked good but the meat was a bit tough, not the melt-in-your-mouth kind I was expecting from Hida beef. Still decent for a quick bite, and I appreciated that they provide a place to sit inside so you don’t eat in front of other shops. Just not as impressive as I hoped.
Never pre planned to visit this place just walk in spontaneously. Only after I made my orders then started to read the review and realized this is a popular joint.
The interior is very nice traditional Japanese setting. The foods are really fresh and well cooked. Absolutely unforgettable experience!
Strongly recommend!
Wonderful spot for hida beef in Takayama Old Town. We were there just in time when it was open and there was no wait. The beef grilled on oba leaf was phenomenon. Do yourself a favor and don’t miss!
90 Kamisannomachi, Takayama, Gifu 506-0846, Japan•
expensive
Yakiniku restaurant
Meat dish restaurant
Hidagyu Maruaki is a Yakiniku restaurant situated close to the Hida Takayama bus station. It specializes in offering a variety of cuts and styles of the renowned Takayama Hida beef. The restaurant is known for its affordable set meals, allowing patrons to savor different cuts of succulent grilled Hida beef with rice for around 28 USD.
We bought A5 Hida beef to cook at home, and our expectations were very high. The beef is incredibly tender, practically melts in your mouth, but I also found it quite rich due to the intense fatty flavor. Eating it with white rice helps balance it, but I wish I could have cooked it in a way that reduced the strong fat taste. That said, the value of the beef is impressive given its quality — in Europe, this would have cost hundreds of euros, and here we had a very good experience at a relatively low price.
Miguel A — Google review
Came in around 6:30 on a Friday evening (post Autumn Matsuri) so it was fairly busy with about 28 groups in front of us. Wait was ~40 minutes, and were hungry but definitely worth the wait. Super fatty and melty meat, great way to experience A5 grade beef. For 2 people, a sampler platter, kimchi sampler, rice, and an extra entree of A5 short rib was plenty since the meat was so rich.
The best yakiniku restaurant in Takayama! We loved it so much that we went twice on two consecutive days during our stay that’s how worth it it was. The Hida beef was absolutely exceptional incredibly tender, juicy, and full of rich flavor that melts in your mouth.
The price is very reasonable considering the top-quality meat and the overall dining experience. The staff were kind and welcoming, making every meal feel special. A must-visit spot in Takayama for anyone who loves authentic Japanese yakiniku and wants to taste the best of Hida beef.
100/10! *italian hands* 🤌* chef’s kiss* 💋
The meat melts in your mouth and is so worth the wait. Don’t believe anyone who said the queue is horrible. You can get the ticket for the queue, explore the town, scan the QR code on it and you can check when it’s time to go there and just get there when it’s time. Their system is great!
Queue was very long. We were rejected on one evening when we went before 6pm and the waitlist was closed. Many people were seen waiting around in the restaurant for a table. We went following morning around 11am when they had just opened, and already there’s a few people in line in front of us. Had to take queue number. The wait was at least half an hour. There was a Chinese butch helping to take queue numbers for Chinese tourist…
Food was good, had the Hoba Miso hida beef. Not many slices but it was tasty to eat it grilled with miso. The other benton meals were good too. Service was not bad. We got to sit in a traditional Japanese room with tatami floor.. They have a shop next door selling raw Hida beef. 🥩
This yakiniku restaurant serves genuinely exceptional Hida beef. The quality of the meat is outstanding; it's exactly what you would expect from premium Japanese Wagyu. The beef was tender, flavorful, and truly melts in your mouth—the marbling is second to none.
The main issue, however, is the richness. While the marbling (fat) is what gives Hida beef its characteristic tenderness, there was simply too much of it in the cuts we were served. Eating too much felt very greasy and oily.
A5 Hida beef is obviously amazing no doubt. The restaurant itself is surprisingly peaceful inside, so don’t be intimidated by the waiting lounge.
The wait is long, but if you arrive around 10:30am to put your name down, it’s actually not bad. The lounge has plenty of seating, which is a warm retreat from walking in the cold anyway.
Worth the wait.
Very tender, melt in your mouth beef with super reasonable price, actually the best price of wagyu A5 I've ever had. Not a luxury type of restaurant though. No chilling vibe, no romantic atmosphere for dating, just keep grilling and eating until your stomach hurt!.
6 Chome-8 Tenmanmachi, Takayama, Gifu 506-0025, Japan•
affordable
Hamburger restaurant
Center4 Hamburgers is a charming and cozy eatery that offers an array of original burgers, along with a selection of beer and cocktails, all within a quirky space filled with antique decor. One standout option is the Hida Beef burger, which is highly recommended for those seeking something unique. The restaurant's ambiance resembles that of a vintage shop or museum, making it an interesting place to dine.
I don’t even like burgers, and this place was just 11/10. Something about their burgers, so simple but fresh, was so amazing. We were so impressed after our lunch here, we came back for dinner on the same day! Definitely suggest having a reservation for dinner because they only seat 4 tables + the bench so space is tight. Service is outstanding, drinks and sides were good, deco is so unique, can’t fault anything. Sad we have to leave otherwise we’d come again! The staff were kind enough to give us their badge which was so nice, and we gave them another napkin drawing for their collection
Emily — Google review
4 star overall for Center4 hamburgers.
The burger itself is great, classic hamburger, uncomplicated, with lettuce tomato diced onion mayonnaise and mustard. Toasted buttery bun, and the patty is fair in size.
The fries are nicely cut potato fries, not classic string fries, though the portions of fries that come with the burger were a little small.
Service is good, slightly on the slower end from what we've been accustomed to in Japan.
The cheese burger and fries cost us 1400¥, without drinks.
We came for lunch, and we waited 30 minutes at 1pm. We showed up the evening before at 645pm and they had already sold out of burgers, we were quite shocked and a bit annoyed but still decided to come back the next day. This place definitely needs a reservation.
Love it! The building has Americana vintage decor and collectables / beer bottles from all over the world. We had the cheese burger, hamburger and the hida burger. Short wait on a weekday - it's only a small restaurant with only two tables for four people available. Recommend - the patties and fresh tomatoes were absolutely amazing. Simple but so good.
Beyond a doubt THE best burger I had.
Surrounded by Thank you notes and a Johnny Cash soundtrack.
The place is very small, but worth the wait.
May your business continue to be prosperous...
Honestly, there not enough good things to say about this place. Extremely kind and hospitable; as we have found everyone in Takayama. As a couple originally from the U.S. but living in Western Europe for the last few years, this place was so refreshing to visit. The burgers are on our top 5 all time list and you can’t find a pickle like they serve here anywhere around our current home. Get the Hida Burger and a side of pickles! Thanks for everything :)
Came here with a group of friends for dinner and can’t say enough good things about this place. The owners were very kind and food was great. The onion rings were great even by American standards and the burgers were great too. We also loved the eclectic antique decor. Highly recommend coming here if you’re in the area!
This is the number one place I would suggest to go to in Japan, not because of the great Japanese food but just as an alternative to it. The quality was the best, the staff was awesome and the environment was super cool. Want to dip into American culture in the middle of Japan, this is the place to go
This is the kind of place that makes traveling worthwhile—a genuine hidden gem that offers something special beyond the usual tourist circuit.
We arrived without a reservation but were warmly welcomed and accommodated with a table. The staff’s hospitality was excellent throughout the evening.
The restaurant has a distinctly unique atmosphere for Japan. The owners ask guests not to take photographs, which seems to be about preserving the intimate character of the space, an approach I found quite refreshing.
The burger itself was outstanding. What impressed me most was the restraint: no elaborate sauces or gimmicks, just exceptional execution of the fundamentals. The bun was perfectly textured, the meat cooked precisely right, and every element worked in harmony. It’s the kind of dish that demonstrates real skill through simplicity.
An excellent meal and a memorable evening. Highly recommended if you’re in Takayama.
94 Kamiichinomachi, Takayama, Gifu 506-0844, Japan•
affordable
Sushi restaurant
Japanese restaurant
Matsuki Sushi is a popular dining spot in Takayama, known for its casual ambiance and diverse menu. While specializing in a variety of sushi options, the restaurant also takes pride in serving Hida beef prepared in different styles such as steak on a cast iron pan and donburi. Despite being located away from the coast, Matsuki Sushi ensures that their sushi offerings are fresh and of high quality.
We had a great time at this restaurant! The chef and staff were incredibly accommodating. My husband wanted to take a video of how the sushi was being prepared, and the chef was more than happy to show us. Everything was clean, the food was excellent, and they took time to explain each kind of sushi. Overall, a fantastic experience—highly recommend if you’re in Takayama!
Love from the Philippines 🇵🇭🍣
Kimberly T — Google review
The restaurant has a nice and cozy atmosphere — it’s small but very clean. The staff were welcoming and spoke English well, which made communication easy. They were also flexible and helpful throughout the meal.
The food was good overall: the fish was fresh, the tempura was crisp and not oily, the Hida beef was delicious, and the uni was not fishy (though also not particularly sweet).
However, the portion size was quite small compared to the price. It felt expensive for what you get, and I actually had to get some ramen afterward to feel full. Also, the chef mostly spoke Japanese and not much English, which made sitting at the counter a bit uncomfortable.
The chef was super friendly and welcoming! The bar on the first floor was packed with travelers from all over the world, and speaking English was no problem at all.
He was especially kind to us as Taiwanese guests, and kept thanking us for the friendship between our two countries — that really touched me.
I’m so glad I came across such a warm and inviting place!
The Hida beef steak was crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and went perfectly with a cold beer.
The sushi was also really unique — super fresh ingredients and very reasonably priced.
I’ll definitely bring my friends here next time!
This is a follow on review from the sister restaurant which was too full to take us, but went above and beyond getting us a table at this restaurant.
First up they went out of their way to accommodate us and get us onto a table despite us having a wheelchair (dad can walk only a little, but managed to get up their stairs. If you're a wheelchair bound person, this is not the place for you for accessibility). Because of the inconvenience of turning up unannounced with no reservation and being redirected, they gave us a free plate of the most amazing beef sushi which I would frankly fly back from England to have again.
The menu was more limited than we expected but the food was amazing. The total cost for us was ¥35,000 about £175 at current exchange rates. This included a plate of beef or tempura, 8 hand made fresh nigiri, a bowl of miso soup with crab claws in & a small dessert.
It was excellent.
Everyone was very friendly despite the amount of inconvenience we put them to and their English was excellent.
You will need to take off shoes (so wear your best non holey socks), it does have mats. Downstairs tables are sunken "floor" tables and the upstairs are western style but low seating.
Great place for fresh sushi and Hida beef! The staff were incredibly accommodating — even though both this restaurant and their sister location were completely full, they kindly made room for us. They let us know we’d need to finish within an hour due to a reserved party, which we appreciated. The sushi was exceptionally fresh, and the Hida beef à la carte was delicious with a perfect crisp on the outside. Highly recommend!
Best sushi I've ever eaten! Excellent variety, good wine list. The owner is the sushi chef and is very warm, gracious and a comedian as well. Make his guests feel as welcome as family.
MUST TRY if you are in the location. It was the best sushi food we had so far in japan. Tuna was definitely the best, yellowtail and other fishes were so good as well. Our waitress sayaka was very friendly and she even gave us list of places to visit in this town.
Do not go here if you're a foreigner. They segregate you to the top floor in a grey, undecorated room. Truly insane prices for not great food. Soup was OK, tempura was good, sushi was actively bad. They just tossed a bunch of fish together and wrapped it poorly. Tasted like nothing. Menu did not describe the contents of the sushi, which was so strange. Staff were nice. Huge waste of money, but we learned our lesson 🤷♀️ I was mostly mad that airbnbs and hotels are clearly colluding with this place. 1,000+ reviews for a restaurant here is weird.
1 Chome-40 Sowamachi, Takayama, Gifu 506-0007, Japan•
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All road trips from Takayama
- Takayama to Tokyo drive
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All related maps of Takayama
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Takayama throughout the year
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