Alps of Japan and Takayama: A Perfect 24 Hours

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Greetings, Internet Stranger! My name is Stella Jane, and welcome to a 24 hours in the Alps of Japan and Takayama! I’m impressed that you are looking for things to do in the Alps of Japan. That is because most people outside of Japan have never heard of the place.

In fact, the term Alps of Japan is something of a misnomer, as the Alps are obviously a mountain range in Europe on which everyone drinks hot chocolate and wears silly braids in their hair.

The Alps of Japan are a similarly impressive mountain range, only it is located in Japan and silly-braid-free. Also, I did not personally find any hot chocolate there, but that does not mean that the hot chocolate does not exist.

I personally think it’s almost impossible to avoid enjoying a perfect Alps of Japan and Takayama itinerary while you are there because the mountains are simply exquisite. So unless you insist on wandering about the area with your eyes firmly shut, you are likely to at the very least have an extremely good day.

But I stand by my following Alps of Japan and Takayama itinerary as the best way to see all the major sights in one day. In order to follow this itinerary correctly, you need to be staying in the mountain village of Takayama, just like I did. This is one of the most beautiful villages in Japan, and I am sure you will love it as much as yours truly.

Alps of Japan and Takayama

Morning: Explore Historic Takayama

We have so many things to do in our Alps of Japan and Takayama itinerary that you’ll hardly believe it. And our day starts in the adorable town of Takayama.

I suggest finding a local guide who will help you explore this lovely town, and this is the tour that I personally took. It is the easiest way to getting around this amazing village.

Check rates and availability right here!

This itinerary is so jam-packed that it is in fact literally packed with jam. I’m not lying. I actually got jam all over my hands in order to bring you the best possible Takayama itinerary.

Approximately top 5: Exploring Takayama

1) Explore the morning market

The Morning Markets are an important part of life in Takayama. In fact, they are such an important part of Takayama that there are two of them to satisfy everyone’s morning market addiction.

First, head to the smaller Jinya-mae first to check out the produce. You’ll want to buy and eat everything, even knowing that almost nothing will get approved by TSA’s restrictions on bringing liquids onto the plane. Of course, you can always store your homemade sauces and sakes in your suitcase and then there will not be any issue.

Fortunately for me, I got to experience some of the goods because one little old lady shoved a scoop of peach jam into my hands before I could really say anything, and I was forced to eat it with my face. Yes, I really licked my own hands like a kitten in a public market for all of Takayama to see. I freely admit this personal humiliation for your entertainment, Internet Stranger!

I totally don’t recommend standing in the middle of a farmer’s market licking your palms, but in this case I had no choice. The jam was going to get all over my clothes if I didn’t lick it up like a kitty cat. I felt really bad about not being able to buy some jam, so I bought a juicy peach from the LOL instead. (LOL here stands for Little Old Lady.)

Parts of the markets are set up along the gorgeous Miya-gawa River which actually, literally sparkles because it is so clean. I promise you have never seen a river like this in your whole life.

I am from New York City, and when I compare my hometown’s Hudson River to the Miya-gawa, I want to hang my head in shame because my hometown pride and joy is so filthsome and foul in comparison. And that is before we even get to the East River, which is even worse.

2) Buy an ittobori

Takayama is known for its traditional wooden carvings, known as ittobori. These are smooth and intricately carved pieces made from local yew trees. There is even a local association of woodcarvers who verify the authenticity of the works.

All authentic ittobori purchases will come with an INCREDIBLE ITTOBORI IDENTIFICATION card.(That’s probably not the real name of the card, but I think it should be.)

Of course the morning markets sell ittobori just like they sell everything else on the planet, and I was determined to find one to be my perfect souvenir. I perused the morning market until I found an plumpish, adorable owl made of yew.

Even his little individual feathers had been carved out of the wood. I forked over my 2000 yen (about 13 US dollars) and Mr. Owl, he was my very own. And one just like it can be yours too, if you follow this Alps of Japan and Takayama itinerary.

3) Take the bus to hida folk village

In order to have time for everything in our Alps of Japan and Takayama itinerary, you’ll have to sprint to the Takayama bus station, which is conveniently right next to the train station, to catch the early bus to the Hida Folk Village.

A round trip ticket on the bus complete with admission to the village is quite cheap, which I think is a pretty sweet deal considering how much fun I had. The bus trip is short, only 10 minutes, and once you get there, you’ll be surrounded by so much beauty.

4) Marvel at the architecture in hida folk village

Hida Folk Village reminded me of the Cloisters in Manhattan. That’s because, like the Cloisters, the buildings in the village are not indigenous to the region. Rather they are traditional Japanese cottages that have all been moved to the same outdoor museum so that they can be explored and preserved.

Also like the Cloisters, Hida Folk Village is a beautiful place for contemplation and reflection. Allow my photos and my haiku encourage you to visit Hida Folk Village for yourself!

Thatched roof on old house

I am thinking to myself

Thatched is an odd word

Koi fish swim, they swish

their tails, I smile. In this poem

Each word has one beat

If you really love Hida Folk Village, you can break this itinerary up into two days and spend one day exploring Takayama and Hida Folk Village and the other day hiking in Kamikochi. It is totally up to you! But for now, we will stick to the itinerary as I actually lived it.

Once you are done exploring the architecture and composing mediocre haiku, head back to the main part of Takayama. It’s time for us to catch yet another bus! Our Alps of Japan and Takayama itinerary continues apace!

Alps of Japan and Takayama

Afternoon: Hiking in Kamikochi

Kamikochi is a popular hiking destination in the Alps of Japan, and you need to take a plethora of buses to get there.

First, get the bus from Hida Folk Village back to Takayama, and then you just take the bus from Takayama to Kamikochi. If you follow this itinerary to the letter, you should take a bus that will get you to Kamikochi around right about after one PM. You can find detailed instructions about how to catch this bus right here.

If you are only spending a half-day in Kamikochi, like I was, your choices of hiking routes are limited. Again, if you want to spend a full day here, feel totally free! The area is certainly gorgeous enough for you to enjoy spending the full day hiking.

I suggest that you walk to Myojin-ike, which is a pond and also the location of a shrine called Hotaka-jinja. Three hours gives you enough time to walk there, have lunch, stroll the pond, and then return in time to make The Last Bus to Takayama that leaves in the late afternoon.

As you walk along the path, get used to the fact that many strangers will greet you by saying, “Konnichiwa!” Do not be frightened! You do not have amnesia, and they are not close friends whom you have forgotten. They’re just being polite. Say “Konnichiwa” back and all will be well. The important part is to focus on the scenery.

Also, be on the look out for the famous kappa, a water demon that lives in the area. You’ll definitely see his picture on the sign for Kappabashi Bridge. If you see a real kappa, don’t worry. Just trick him into bowing and all the water that slushes around in his head will fall out, leaving him incapacitated. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy.

APPROXIMATELY TOP 5: Alps of Japan and Takayama

1) ADMIRE THE SPARKLING WATER

I know that I use hyperbole a lot on this blog. I often say that if it weren’t for sarcasm and hyperbole, I would literally never speak or write a word. However, it’s no hyperbole to say that Kamikochi is the prettiest place I have ever seen.

The water is so clean; it shimmers with health and love. The weather is soothing and cool, compared to the sweltering heat of Japan’s cities during August, because the trees provide a sheltering canopy from the sun’s rays.

Spend the next couple of hours turning off your brain, turning off your cell phone, and basking in these natural beauties.

2) HAVE LUNCH AT  KAMONJI-GOYA

There is a restaurant called Kamonji-goya, right outside the sacred pond, which is perfect for lunch. It is famous for serving iwana (river trout) so you should order the iwana lunch set. When the waiter brought me my lunch, he told me, “zenbu o tabemasu”, which means that you eat the whole thing, head to fin.

Well, I did, and it was salty, crisp, and delicious. As always, I am grateful for being able to eat anything yummy that I have never eaten before, including grilled trout heads. And I’m sure you’ll love chowing down on crispy fish heads as much as I did.

3) REST AT THE SACRED POND

You can then spend about half an hour of your Alps of Japan and Takayama itinerary at the pond. Spending time in Japan really makes you wish that we kept the amazing natural resources in America better preserved.

I’ve been to lots of national parks, and the park rangers work hard to keep them clean, but I have never seen anything in the U.S. of A. that was as clean as this sacred lake.

When you arrive, you might have the vague and fantastical impression that you have stepped back into the forest primeval. Even if you haven’t been camping in ages, you just may be struck by a sudden wish that you had brought a sleeping bag and could camp out there under the stars.

Can’t, though! For one thing, you can’t camp at a sacred pond, and for another we need to make the Last Bus to Takayama!

4) DON’T MISS THE LAST BUS TO TAKAYAMA

If this were a movie, I’d start playing “Carmina Burana” and running in slow motion, but I don’t think I can replicate that experience on a blog. Just try to picture it in your mind’s eye instead. Will we make it? Can we make it? Will we be forced to spend the rest of days roaming the Japanese hillsides and howling at the moon?

SUCCESS! We got on the bus with five minutes to spare, but I think we left a piece of our hearts back in Kamikochi.

Alps of Japan and Takayama

Late Afternoon: Stroll Around Takayama

I say this because you need to kill time before your dinner destination opens, and because you never know what you will find when wandering around a strange city. When walking past one group of old houses, I saw a young man sporting a shaved head and monk’s garb run out of one of the houses on silent tiptoes, jump onto a motorcycle, and drive off into the night.

Who could this man be? Where was he going? Is there a monk-only chapter of Hell’s Angels in the Japanese mountains? This mystery will surely haunt me until the end of my days.

If your feet hurt from all the wanderings from your Alps of Japan and Takayama itinerary, take a load of by relaxing at the onsen in the Spa Hotel Alpina. This hotel was my favorite place I stayed in Japan because it was the only hotel that had its own hot spring. Because the nightlife in Takayama isn’t exactly hopping, it seemed like the hottest club in town.

Alps of Japan and Takayama

Evening: Dinner at Jingoro Ramen

We’re coming to the end of our Alps of Japan and Takayama itinerary, so it’s time for some dinner at Jingoro Ramen, a ramen shack down by the train tracks that doesn’t open for dinner until 8. That was strange enough, but what we will find when we step inside is even more surprising.

That evening I was perturbed to find that all the guests were male. Was this a ramen shack/fantasy football league/Chuck Palahniuk Book Club? The only ladies inside the establishment were a giant woman behind the counter ladling out the broth and myself. However, if anyone thought it was weird that I was there, he kept that thought to himself.

I recommend getting the basic ramen with pork for 600 yen–a complete steal. The woman handed the steaming bowl of ramen over without any fuss or indeed any communication at all, and I noisily slurped down the noodles. Go and do likewise!

Alps of Japan and Takayama

Where Do I Stay?

Takayama is a pretty small town, so there aren’t a million hotels. But you are here to relax on your Alps of Japan and Takayama itinerary, so choose wisely! I strongly recommend that you choose the Spa Hotel Alpina when you stay in Takayama. The best amenity is that there is a hot spring on the roof, so you can relax and enjoy the view.

They also have a full breakfast included, with both Japanese and Western options. Finally, the staff was really friendly and though they spoke English, they let me practice my terrible Japanese as much as I wanted. Arigato gozaimasu! 

If you’re interested in a great deal on this hotel, just click here.

And if you’d rather check out other amazing hotels in Takayama, click here. This search engine will help you find the perfect place to stay for your 24 hours in the Alps of Japan and Takayama itinerary. I always use it when I go to Japan, and it has inevitably helped me find the right room for my budget!

That’s a Perfect Japanese Alps Itinerary!

What would you do on a perfect Japanese Alps itinerary? Are you glad we didn’t miss the last bus to Takayama? And should I quit my day job and attempt to earn a living as a haiku stylist or kappa hunter? Please email me at stellajane@aroundtheworldin24hours.com.

Note: If you want to know how I put my travel itineraries together, just click here. Keep in mind that while each article is about how to spend 24 hours in a place, that doesn’t mean you should ONLY spend 24 hours on your Japanese Alps itinerary.

If you have time, add 24 hours in Kyoto. You can also check out the best things to do in Southern Higashiyama, Kyoto. You can try a best attractions at Kyoto itinerary. Why not add on 24 hours in Osaka? Add on a Kyoto to Nara day trip. You can also find out is Japan Rail Pass worth it.