Takayama experts?

[yamcake]

hi all,

going to takayama in next year during feb..

planning now, just asking people who went before, the old town itself, how long around do i need to cover it?

i have about 2 full days around the area, wanna cater sometime to hirayu onsen, shirakawago village…

 

[samtcy]

hi all,

going to takayama in next year during feb..

planning now, just asking people who went before, the old town itself, how long around do i need to cover it?

i have about 2 full days around the area, wanna cater sometime to hirayu onsen, shirakawago village…

If you are not staying overnight at Shirakawa-go, I think about 3hrs should be sufficient for Shirakawa-go. Just for walking around the town and also take the short bus ride up to the viewpoint.

 

[darkimperial]

I think 1 day is enough to cover the main attraction of takayama. And another half a day at shirakawago.

 

[samtcy]

If given a choice to re-plan my trip there again, I would do this:

Arrive Takayama in the morning, then go to old town area.
Have lunch at Takayama, then take bus to shirakawa-go and stay overnight at 1 of the homestays at Shirakawa-go.
Then next day, after I'm done with exploring Shirakawa-go, then take bus back to Takayama. From Takayama, take afternoon train back to Nagoya and then transfer Shinkansen to wherever.

 

[kifo]

I would recommend visiting Gokayama if you have the time. Most tourist only go to Shirakawa-go and then return. Gokayama is much less touristy and you can visit many of the folk museums inside the traditional dwelling.

I stayed overnight at Ainokura which is another such village and it is even more quiet and peaceful.

Kuroba onsen between Gokayama and Ainokura is a fantastic onsen with an outdoor bath allowing you a view of the lake and mountains outside.

 

[Kage82]

Highly recommend spending a few hours at Hida no Sato.
very scenic place
Takayama Travel: Hida Folk Village (Hida no Sato)

 

[yamcake]

I'm thinking to rent a car to drive around for two days in Feb.

Will that be advisable? I read that winter driving is actually quite dangerous..

anyone tried that to give your advice?

 

[kifo]

I'm thinking to rent a car to drive around for two days in Feb.

Will that be advisable? I read that winter driving is actually quite dangerous..

anyone tried that to give your advice?

Yes I did. Drove from Takayama to Ainokura last December. Rented the car for 3 days driving around Shirakawa-go and Gokayama. It allowed us to move about much easier and we were staying in a Gassho-zukkuri house in Ainokura. Also went for onsen as described in my earlier response on this thread.

Have you driven in winter before? It is very important to go slow and resist the impulse to jam the brakes.

Anyway my friend was driving and he managed to skid the car on the icy road into the ditch. Thankfully we managed to reverse out but the bumper was already dented. It was a 240 dollar mistake.

 

[yamcake]

Yes I did. Drove from Takayama to Ainokura last December. Rented the car for 3 days driving around Shirakawa-go and Gokayama. It allowed us to move about much easier and we were staying in a Gassho-zukkuri house in Ainokura. Also went for onsen as described in my earlier response on this thread.

Have you driven in winter before? It is very important to go slow and resist the impulse to jam the brakes.

Anyway my friend was driving and he managed to skid the car on the icy road into the ditch. Thankfully we managed to reverse out but the bumper was already dented. It was a 240 dollar mistake.

thanks for the quick response…

Hmm icic.. I am very keen to do, just worried on the safety side… did u get ur car fitted with winter tyres? I see that as an option on the car rental web..

how was the night driving (if you did)

 

[haato89]

Highly recommend spending a few hours at Hida no Sato.
very scenic place
Takayama Travel: Hida Folk Village (Hida no Sato)

It looks very touristy leh with all te craft workshops and what not

Anyone else gg to beo the lightup?

 

[kifo]

thanks for the quick response…

Hmm icic.. I am very keen to do, just worried on the safety side… did u get ur car fitted with winter tyres? I see that as an option on the car rental web..

how was the night driving (if you did)

yup. most cars you are renting at this time would have been fitted with winter tyres.

There are only street lights near towns. Otherwise it is pitch black.

 

[kokchoong]

hi all,

going to takayama in next year during feb..

planning now, just asking people who went before, the old town itself, how long around do i need to cover it?

i have about 2 full days around the area, wanna cater sometime to hirayu onsen, shirakawago village…

When in takayama, remember to try their Hida beef.
I was never a beef person until I tried a beef skewer there. It literally changed my opinion on beef.

I also like the morning market along the river. I recall them selling nice crunchy apples where the old man just peeled them on the spot, cut into slices and packed into plastic bags for you.

I stayed at Shin-Hokata hotel just next to the Shin-Hokata Ropeway. Nice cable ride to the top with views of the Alps. However, it is a good 2.5 hrs bus ride from the town. The hotel comes with segregated onsen with a private onsen for family which you can book if you want.

 

[kifo]

When in takayama, remember to try their Hida beef.
I was never a beef person until I tried a beef skewer there. It literally changed my opinion on beef.

I also like the morning market along the river. I recall them selling nice crunchy apples where the old man just peeled them on the spot, cut into slices and packed into plastic bags for you.

I stayed at Shin-Hokata hotel just next to the Shin-Hokata Ropeway. Nice cable ride to the top with views of the Alps. However, it is a good 2.5 hrs bus ride from the town. The hotel comes with segregated onsen with a private onsen for family which you can book if you want.

Talking about Shin-Hotaka and the Okuhida area, I stayed in Yarimikan and it is definitely one of the best onsen ryokans you can stay anywhere in Japan. It is about 6-7 different onsen pools that you can choose from. And in winter, the scenery outdoor is something you can die for.