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NAGANO JAPAN

Takayama & Shirakawago

Takayama & Shirakawago

Lying to the west of Japan’s North Alps, Takayama boasts one of Japan’s best-preserved Edo Period old towns and a thriving food scene. The picturesque black facades that line the narrow streets house museums, craft shops, restaurants, breweries and gourmet food and drink, making the town hugely popular – at its most popular during its famous spring and autumn ‘matsuri’ (festivals). Most visitors to Takayama combine their visit with nearby World Heritage-listed villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama. Instantly recognisable by the distinctive ‘gassho-zukuri’ farmhouses, the villages rank among the most popular destinations in Central Japan attracting millions of visitors each year.

25 THINGS TO DO AROUND TAKAYAMA & WHERE TO STAY

Starting with the old town, visitors to Takayama are spoiled for choice when it comes to things to do, see and eat!

EXPLORE TAKAYAMA'S HISTORIC OLD TOWN

Takayama's old town is one of Japan's best preserved Edo Period streetscapes and host of two famous annual 'matsuri' (festivals).

STAY IN OKUHIDA ONSEN

Less than 60-minutes drive from Takayama, Okuhida is a large hot spring area on the doorstep of nearby Kamikochi.

RIDE THE SHINHOTAKA ROPEWAY

Open all year round, the Shinhotaka Ropeway is one of the most famous and scenic in Japan.

LIMITED EXPRESS 'HIDA'

The Hida Line connects Takayama to Toyama in the north and Nagoya in the south and is an enjoyable experience in of itself.

15 THINGS TO DO IN SHIRAKAWA-GO & WHERE TO STAY

The World Heritage-listed villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama are beautiful destinations in all seasons.

PLAN YOUR VISIT

25 Things to Do Around Takayama & Where to Stay

Located deep within the mountains of Central Japan, Takayama is famo...

15 Things to Do in Shirakawa-go & Where To Stay

The villages making-up Shirakawa-go and Gokyama rank among some of t...

Best Places to Stay in Takayama

One of the most popular destinations in Central Japan, Takayama offe...

Best Places to Stay In & Around Shirakawa-go

The villages making-up Shirakawa-go and Gokyama rank among some of t...

TOURS

2-Day Snow Monkey Tour: Nagano To Takayama via Matsumoto

**PLEASE NOTE – we are not operating this tour as a group tour...

ACCESS

How to Get to Takayama

Boasting one of Japan’s best preserved Edo Period (1603-1868) ...

How to Get to Shirakawa-go

Most visitors to the villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama will use ...

ACTIVITIES

Takayama Historic Old Town

Located deep within the mountains of Central Japan, Takayama is famo...

Shirakawa-go & Gokayama

Located one hour from Takayama, Ogimachi is the largest of the three...

Takayama Morning Markets

The Takayama Morning Markets – ‘asa-ichi’ – take place at two locati...

Takayama Jinya

During the Edo Period (1603-1868), the Takayam Jinya served as the a...

Matsuri no Mori (Festival Forest) Museum

The Matsuri no Mori – or ‘Festival Forest’ – is a museum exhibiting ...

Hida no Sato (Hida Folk Village)

Hida Folk Village – or ‘Hida no Sato’ in Japanese – is a...

Shinhotaka Ropeway

Ascending high into the Chubu Sangaku National Park, the Shinhotaka ...

Okuhida Onsen

The hot spring area referred to as Okuhida is actually made-up of fi...

Hirayu Onsen

Hirayu Onsen is one of five hot spring towns making-up the Okuhida O...

Hida-Furukawa

Only a 15-minute train ride from Takayama Station, Hida-Furukawa – s...

Gero Onsen

Gero Onsen is a popular hot spring located around halfway between Na...

Gujo Hachiman

Gujo Hachiman is a historic castle town set in a beautiful area of G...

HOTELS

Takayama City Area

Takayama is known for its historical importance, aesthetic beauty, a...

Okuhida Onsen Area

Conveniently located between Takayama and the alpine valley of Kamik...

Hirayu Onsen Area

Located only 20 minutes drive from Kamikochi and 45 to 50-minutes fr...

Shirakawa-go & Gokayama Area

Inscribed on the World Heritage list in 1995, the picturesque villag...

Gujo Hachiman Area

Gujo Hachiman is a small and pleasant little town known for its pict...

Gero Onsen Area

Gero Onsen is a popular hot spring town located approximately halfwa...

EVENTS

Takayama Morning Markets

The Takayama Morning Markets – ‘asa-ichi’ – take place at two locati...

Takayama Festival

Each year, Takayama plays host to two festivals each year, held in s...

BLOG

#TRAVELTOMORROW: Japan Set to Lower Travel Advisories for Certain Countries

It’s important to start this blog by saying that at this time, trave...

#SNOWMONKEYRESORTSLOCAL: Nagano in Autumn – ‘Koyo’ Season Will Soon Be Here!

Over the past week, the temperature has certainly begun to drop here...

#SNOWMONKEYRESORTSLOCAL: ‘Go To Travel’ Extended to Tokyo as of October 1st 2020

As highlighted in our recent blog article – ‘#SNOWMONKEYRESORTS LOCA...

#SNOWMONKEYRESORTSLOCAL: What is Japan’s ‘Go To Travel’ Campaign?

For our friends living in Japan, you have no doubt heard of the nati...

Explore Central Japan – Using the Tokaido Shinkansen to Reach Nagoya & Beyond!

Running from Tokyo to Osaka, the Tokaido Shinkasen is one Japan’s ma...

#TRAVELTOMORROW: Clean Green & Healthy – Discover Central Japan

When researching and planning a visit to Japan, understanding the re...

#TRAVELTOMORROW: Clean Green & Healthy – Accessing Medical Assistance in Japan during COVID-19

In anticipation of the borders opening in future and travel resuming...

#TRAVELTOMORROW: Clean Green & Healthy – Choosing your Accommodation in Japan

When considering your future travel to Japan, one of the biggest dec...

#TRAVELTOMORROW: Clean Green & Healthy – When Can I Travel to Japan & is it Safe?

At the time of writing, entry to Japan is still banned for many fore...

#TRAVELTOMORROW: Clean Green & Healthy Japan

As announced in our recent blog, our website has been updated to inc...

Snow Monkey Resorts Update: Introducing our Dedicated COVID-19 Information Pages

In response to the ongoing impact of coronavirus on global tourism, ...

2-Day Private Winter Tour from Takayama to Nagano through the Nakasendo Kiso Valley

Planning a trip to Takayama this winter? Worried there’...

SNOW MONKEY RESORTS
AREA MAP

Established in 1964, the Jigokudani Monkey Park is home to the only troop of monkeys in the world known to naturally bathe in hot springs. Open all-year-round, the park is one of Nagano's most popular destinations
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- ENZA CAFE
- HOTARUTEI
EVENTS
- Kanbayashi Onsen Sendayaki (Fire Festival)
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Only 45 minutes from Nagano City and within easy reach of the Jigokudani Monkey Park and Shiga Kogen, Yudanaka and Shibu Onsen are blessed by numerous natural hot spring sources which feed their many guesthouses and public bathhouses
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Shiga Kogen is the largest and highest ski resort in Japan, boasting Nagano's longest season and most reliable snow; and located within the expansive Joshinetsu Kogen National Park, Shiga offers just as much to do from spring to autumn as it does in winter
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Home to the Obuse Hokusai Museum and Gansho-in Temple along with lots of good restaurants, craft shops and a couple of ‘sake’ breweries, the small but historic town of Obuse is an easy day-trip from Nagano City
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- 15 Things to Do Around Obuse & Where to Stay
- How To Get To Obuse
TOURS
ACCESS
- Nagano Dentetsu Line (Nagano–Yudanaka/Monkey Park)
- Nagano Dentetsu Line Timetable
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HOTELS
- Obuse Area
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Home to one of Japan's oldest and most important temples, Nagano City is your launching point from where to explore the region using train and bus services, including the Hokuriku Shinkansen, from Nagano Station
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One of Nagano's most popular ski resorts, Nozawa Onsen is boasts great powder, terrain and a lively village - which guarantees as much off the mountain as on it – while retaining much of its character as a traditional hot spring town
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- Snow Monkey Resorts Fleet of Charter Vehicles
- From Nozawa Onsen: How To Get To The Snow Monkey Park
ACTIVITIES
HOTELS
EVENTS
- Nozawa Onsen 'Dosojin' (Fire Festival)
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Home to the most popular and international ski resorts in Nagano, Hakuba Valley attracts skiers and snowboarders from all over the world while offering the best accommodation and dining of any ski area in the region
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The fabled 'Snow Walls' of the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route are at their best from April to May before the melting snow opens-up some of Japan’s best alpine hiking from July to November. Accessible from both Nagano and Toyama, this is one of Japan’s best travel experiences
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TOURS
- 1-Day Tateyama-Kurobe Tour: Walking on the 'Roof of Japan'
- [Spring Only] 1-Day Tour from Nagano: Snow Walls of Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route
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EVENTS
- Owara Kaze-no-Bon Festival
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Matsumoto Castle is a registered National Treasure and without question, the cultural heart of this engaging city; a beacon that calls you to explore the city and onto the beauty of the North Alps including Norikura and the alpine valley of Kamikochi
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Karuizawa is one of Japan's most popular resort towns, offering a little taste of Tokyo in the mountains including some of Nagano’s best accommodation, fine dining and shopping, and all within easy reach of Joshinetsu Kogen National Park
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TOURS
- [START FROM KARUIZAWA] Private Snow Monkey Tour
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- Ueda Sanda Festival
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Located in the picturesque surrounds of Kiso Valley, the Nakasendo Trail follows the Edo Period (1603-1868) route once linking Kyoto and Tokyo. To this day, travelers can walk sections of the route including through the beautiful postal towns of Narai, Magome and Tsumago - a rare glimpse of traditional Japan in the 21st century
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TOURS
- 2-Day Tour: Matsumoto Castle, Nakasendo & Countryside Azumino
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ACTIVITIES
HOTELS
- Kiso-Fukushima & Narai Area
- Magome, Tsumago & Nakatsugawa Area
EVENTS
- Narai-juku Ice Candle Festival
- Kaida Kogen Kamakura Snow Festival
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Known as the 'Sannomachi', Takayama's old town is famous for its preservation of Edo period streetscapes while also attracting foodies for its renowned ‘Hida beef’ and ‘Takayama ramen’ - all within easy reach of the World Heritage villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama
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PLAN YOUR VISIT
TOURS
- 2-Day Snow Monkey Tour: Nagano To Takayama via Matsumoto
ACCESS
ACTIVITIES
HOTELS
EVENTS
- Takayama Morning Markets
- Takayama Festival
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Only 20 minutes from Iiyama Station, Madarao Mountain Resort is known for its deep powder bowls, tree zones and fantastic backcountry along with mountain-biking and water activities from spring to autumn
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TOURS
- [START FROM NOZAWA/MADARAO] Private Snow Monkey Tour
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ACTIVITIES
- Enjoy the Fruit of Nagano
- Fruit-picking Nearby JR Iiyama Station
HOTELS
- Madarao Area
- Iiyama Station Area
EVENTS
- Iiyama Nanohana Flower Festival
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Myoko Kogen consists of five main ski resorts jointly known for one thing – amazing powder, lots of it. Boasting some of Asia’s deepest powder and fantastic backcountry, the resorts of Myoko are waiting to be discovered
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Kanazawa is one of Japan’s most historic and rewarding destinations. A city of wealth and artistic achievement during the Edo Period, Kanazawa retains many historic attractions and districts along with some of Japan’s best gardens, museums, galleries, dining and shopping
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As the largest city in Central Japan, Nagoya is known for its modern industries, lively entertainment, great restaurants and plenty of shopping while putting visitors in reach of some fantastic regional destinations
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- Autumn Leaves of Korankei
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Lying around 2.5 hours to the west of Tokyo, Mount Fuji is a grand and awe-inspiring sight and without question, Japan’s most recognizable destination. Quite simply, it’s a must-see for anyone visiting this wonderful country
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Accessible via Echigo-Yuzawa Station, the area around Yuzawa includes the resorts of Gala Yuzawa, Naeba and Kagura; while in summer, Yuzawa plays host to Japan's largest music festival and provides acccess to the country's largest arts festival
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- Fuji Rock Festival
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Tokyo is the economic, political and cultural centre of 21st century Japan. Impossible to define and inconceivable in size, the only way to really understand Tokyo is to dive in and experience it for yourself
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As of the seats of imperial power for more than one thousand years, Kyoto and Nara are the most historic cities in Japan while nearby Osaka is big, bold, brash and tremendous fun
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The most northern Japan’s four main islands, Hokkaido is a destination unto itself – a place where you’ll find wildlife and open spaces including pristine landscapes and vast national parks, and of course some of the world’s best powder skiing and snowboarding.
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Famous for its beautiful landscapes including rugged coastline, historic 'onsen' villages, festivals, food and a couple of good ski resorts, Tohoku can be explored starting with the World Heritage shrine complex of Nikko
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From the global significance of Hiroshima to Himeji and its celebrated castle, Chugoku is a region known for its blend of cities and histories and as the launching point from where to discover the Seto Inland Sea along with Shikoku and its 88 temple pilgrimage
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Lying in the south of Japan, Kyushu is a blend of cultural and natural attractions with the islands of Okinawa located even further to the south surrounded by the South China Sea and Pacific Ocean.
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