Takayama Old Town

Takayama grew as a castle town and merchant town in the Edo period, and three parallel streets of the upper and lower town are a nationally selected preservation district for traditional buildings. Latticed fronts line the streets and clear water runs in channels under the eaves. Outside each sake brewery hangs a ball of cedar sprigs called a sakabayashi.

Seven sake breweries still trade inside the old town, and several pour tastings. The food stalls sell Hida beef nigiri and skewers, and Takayama's mitarashi dango come glazed in a lightly salty soy sauce. Craft shops sell Hida shunkei lacquer, and the red sarubobo folk dolls make an easy souvenir.

Start at the vermilion Nakabashi bridge over the Miyagawa, then walk to the morning markets by Takayama Jinya and along the river, which run from about 7:00 to noon. Hie Shrine, founded in 1141, guards the southern half of the old castle town and holds the spring festival.