All About Japan All About Japan

Fresh start every Monday!

Top 5 Spots Around Hida Takayama

Hida Takayama is a picturesque old castle town in the mountains of Gifu Prefecture, and offers visitors a truly authentic, traditional Japanese experience.

Gifu Ski & Snowboard Guide

Gifu is packed with great snow and great culture!

The Nobel Prize Road Between Toyama & Gifu

A little known fact about Japan: there is a long road between Toyama and Hida Takayama that just happens to be the connecting thread between five Nobel laureates, which has earned this stretch of highway the nickname of "Nobel Prize Road".

5 Must-Try Foods in Hida Takayama

Known for its historic townscapes and bountiful nature, Hida Takayama also has a variety of delicious, must-try regional dishes.

How to Get to Hida Takayama

Find out the best way to get to Hida Takayama from Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka.

Hop on a Highway Bus to Hida Takayama

Major cities in many regions of Japan operate highway bus terminals, which are a great way to save time and money on your way to Hida Takayama.

5 Gorgeous Reasons to Visit Takayama

Takayama is a picturesque mountain town that's beautiful to visit all year round!

Top 5 Onsen in Gifu

With its stunning mountain ranges and natural spring water, Gifu Prefecture is one of the best places in all of Japan to experience hot spring baths. Check out our favorite picks!

Bus Down the Three-Star Road

In the snow belt between Hokuriku and Gifu's Hida Mountain Range, take a bus tour down a road lined with three-star tourist spots listed in the Michelin Green Guide Japan.

Takayama Autumn Festival

One of the three largest festivals in the country, the Takayama Autumn Festival is not to be missed!

21 Top Spots Outside Japan's 'Golden Route'

Many tourists concentrate on the so-called 'Golden Route' connecting Tokyo to Kyoto and Osaka. But what do you do if you want to get off the principal tourist highway and see the best of the rest? Here are Japan's 21 best off-the-Golden-Route spots!

Visit the City that Inspired 'Your Name'

While half of the smash hit 'Your Name' may be based in a fictional village, Hida City in Gifu Prefecture is swimming in tourist dough thanks to the key points of inspiration it provided!

Good Water Makes Great Ramen in Takayama

The high quality water in the gorgeous historical town of Takayama makes for some amazing ramen!

Exploring Japan's Three-Star Road

Japan's Three-Star Road is home to a host of Michelin-recognized sites and wonders, comprising a compact area that covers four prefectures. With the new Three-Star Ticket option, exploring this stretch of Japan is easier than ever before.

10 Incredible Places to Visit in Hida Takayama

If you want to visit a place in Japan with true traditional and rural elements, then you should go to Takayama. It's one of the rare cities in Japan with a wonderfully preserved old town.

Hands-On Fun Along the Shoryudo Dragon Route

After experiencing the unforgettable Ukiyo-e Route of the Shoryudo (Rising Dragon Road), we made our way up north to learn all about the treasures of Chubu, Japan's central region.

My Solo Journey to Hida-Takayama

First I traveled from Nagoya Station to Takayama via JR Ltd. Express Hida (Wide View).

Which to Choose: Hida Takayama or Furukawa?

Hida Takayama and Hida Furukawa may be close to each other, but they both have unique charms. We'll compare them on four key points for travelers so you can see which destination is right for you!

It's Easy to Discover the History of Takayama

Ranked as a three-star Michelin destination, Takayama's ancient streetscapes are full of traditional shops, while its Takayama Matsuri is known as one of Japan's top three most beautiful festivals.

Top 4 Fall Foliage Spots around Takayama

Fall in love with the stunning fall foliage of Hida Takayama, a beautifully preserved castle town tucked in the remote mountains of Gifu Prefecture.

know-before-you-go