Going Loco in Tokyo: Gorgeous Takayama

I was lucky enough to have 3 days to explore the stunning Takayama area. I caught the highway bus from Shinjuku, $120 return. 5 and a half hours including 3 short rest stops along the way. I took the cheapest option but you can also get the train via Nagoya for around $290 return. It takes 4 hours by train. The bus station is right next to the train station and directly in front of the train platform there is a information booth with free wifi and maps in different languages. There is also free wifi in the old town area but it didn't work too well for me.

I stayed at a ryokan near the train station and was able to walk everywhere I wanted to go including the Hida Folk Village. The folk village entry fee is 700 yen. I spent a few hours wandering around looking at the traditional houses and buildings, enjoying the free tea and rice cakes. When I was there they had a music display on (the instruments were cool but the singing was awful) and the men were harvesting the rice field.

Walking back towards the train station from the folk village I came across beautiful flowers growing along the borders of the fields.

The morning markets are worth a visit. The Miyagawa markets along the river are the bigger ones.
The apples and hida beef steamed buns were my favourite.

Other places worth checking out for food options are: Heianraku, opposite the Kokubunji temple, a cheap and cheerful izakaya with tasty home cooked style meals and a great atmosphere,

I had the meatballs and stir fry vegetable set that came with corn soup and rice. Think it was 900 yen.

Center 4 Hamburgers up towards Shorenji temple, you will need to book or wait for a table, its only a tiny space at the back of another shop. They also do take away and delivery. Best burger I have had in Japan., photo does not do it justice.

I had the cheeseburger set with fries and a chocolate milkshake. 1,600 yen

For traditional food, check out Kyoya, on the canal on the road to the Floats exhibition hall.

I had the Hida beef, miso, leek and shitake mushroom cooked on a magnolia leaf which came in a set with miso soup, rice and mountain vegetables for 1,800 yen.

Other highlights were the beautiful shops and breweries in the preserved old town - Sanmachi suji

The cedar frond ball above the doorway indicates a sake brewery

The Takayama Museum of History & Art is worth a look, it is free entry and has some interesting displays. Not a lot of signs in English but enough to get the idea. The Festival Floats Exhibition Hall is pretty good too, 820 yen entry which comes with a souvenir photo of the festival at night time and a very high tech English guide.