Tucked away within the Japanese Alps is Shirakawago, a picturesque village that will bring you back in time. There are many wonderful places to see in Japan, but this Shirakawago winter experience will make you feel like you’re in a real-life snow globe. The triangular gassho-zukuri style farmhouses sitting against the dramatic mountainous backdrop will capture your heart the moment you arrive.

Ogimachi village, the largest one in Shirakawago, is located within the Gifu prefecture in central Japan. In 1995, it was classified as an Unesco World Heritage site along with it’s less touristy sister Gokayama. It’s been around since the 11th century, and its rich history and culture have been well preserved. The homes were constructed with high roofs to hold strong against heavy snow.

We spent our time here as part of a 3 day weekend trip from Tokyo, which included Takayama. In this post I’ll share more about how to get here, where to stay, and what to do. Although this focuses more on the winter season, it’s wonderful to visit any time of the year. Each season brings something unique to your time here.

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Unique Japan Destinations: Shirakawago Winter Guide

In This Article
How to Get to Shirakawago
Where to Stay in Shirakawago
Shirakawago Winter Experience

A snowy welcome to Shirakawago

How to Get to Shirakawago

Getting to the village of Shirakawago can seem daunting at first, but I hope this post will help you with your journey. There are a few different options depending on your itinerary, which I’ve outlined below. The total travel time from Tokyo is between 4-5 hours. It’s best to visit for a weekend or 3 day trip, and combine with areas around.

Train from Tokyo via Nagoya

For our trip, we decided to travel via Nagoya. The Nozomi express train from Tokyo only takes about 1.5 hours total. Once you arrive in Nagoya you will have to switch to a different train. You can choose to spend some time here, or continue on. If you’re hungry, we highly recommend you to try some miso-nikomi udon in the station, a Nagoya specialty.

Nagoya to Takayama

From Nagoya you have to take the Limited Express Hida to Takayama, which takes about 2.5 hours. The views from the train are just spectacular, as you venture into the mountainous regions of Gifu and the scenery is worth it alone for this trip. The seating is very comfortable and there is a food cart that makes rounds if needed. Along the way, you’ll pass through Gero Onsen, an optional add-on if you have more days to spend in this area.

Optional Tour
If you’re coming from Nagoya, this day trip to Takayama and Shirakawago includes transportation and a guide. A great option if you are a first timer, or have difficulty navigating a new place.

Takayama to Shirakawago

From Takayama you take the Nohi bus from the Takayama Bus Terminal. The driving time takes about 45-50 minutes with stunning views as you drive through the mountains. You’ll be dropped off directly inside the village.

Train from Tokyo via Toyama or Kanazawa

Some other options are to take the Hokuriku Shinkansen (Kagayaki) to Toyama or Kanazawa station, a 2 hour trip. Then from the station you take the Nohi bus which takes another 1-2 hours to reach Shirakawago.

Standing outside of Magoemon

Where to Stay in Shirakawago

Staying overnight in one of the gassho-zukuri farmhouses is the best way to experience your time here. The house itself will provide an authentic stay, but you can also spend some time exploring once the tourist crowds leave. There are several farmhouses to choose from, but we ultimately decided upon Magoemon due to availability.

The entire stay really felt cozy and comfortable. The rooms have a space heater to stay warm, and the meals are served in a common room with all of the guests. The bathrooms are shared and there’s also a private hot bath to use. They provided boots, which came in handy in the heavy snow. It’s a very humble stay, so don’t expect luxury. But you can expect a soulful taste of Japan here.

Honzen-ryōri Japanese meal served at Magoemon

Honzen-Ryori Dinner

One thing that stood out during our stay was the meals being served communal style around an irori (sunken fireplace.) A traditional Honzen-ryōri Japanese meal was served sourcing from local ingredients. Some dishes included grilled ayu fish, eggplant, tofu dengaku and much more deliciousness. Afterwards you can sit by the fire and relax a bit, before heading off into the hot bath to warm up before sleep.

Here are some other lodging options in the area that got great reviews:

Shirakawago Terrace: A Japanese wooden house hostel located about a 10 minute walk from Shirakawago village. All rooms are tatami style with futon beds. It has a shared kitchen for guest use, as well as free breakfast included.

Shirakawago Guest House Kei: Has various room options to choose from and very budget friendly. Walk to Shirakawago village in about 20 minutes.

See more places to stay near Shirakawago.

A lone house at the base of the observation deck overlooking the village

Shirakawago Winter Experience

Although the village is quite small, there is plenty to keep you busy. Here are some ideas to get you started.

Eat and Enjoy

Each region in Japan has its own special cuisine. I just love sampling the food in a new place. As you walk through the village you may come across some street foods which are always great to try. We had some beef buns and croquettes close to the main central area. Ochiudo is a delicious comfort food cafe that is one of the best in the area and well worth the wait. Although we never made it here due to limited timing, there’s a soba restaurant in the area. Coffee Hina is a cute little cafe that serves delicious coffee, sweets and light cuisine.

Exploring around the village during nightfall means having it all to yourself!

Walk Around, Explore and Capture It

Being in a gorgeous village with a blanket of snow means you must walk around and admire it. There are some amazing photo opportunities here and incredible beauty all around. The earthy tones of the homes against the pure white snow is such a nice contrast. Icicles dangle from the roofs and the scenic Shogawa river runs along the village. Build a snowman, have a snowball fight and pretend like it’s a snow day. It truly felt like being in a winter wonderland.

Go Shopping

Scattered around the village are some small shops. You can buy some local sweets and snacks, as well as souvenirs to take back as a memory. Since we collect magnets we decided to grab some, as well as some adorable sweets covered with gassho farmhouses. There are also unique handicrafts, sake, homemade miso, dried noodles, and teas that are great to buy here as well.

Take a Tour of the House Museums

Another thing to see are the farmhouses that have become museums. At Wada House you can gain more insight into what life used to be like in the village. There are artifacts on display, and more info about the Wada family history. Silk was also produced locally here, and you can see silkworms in action at Tooyama House.

The gorgeous views from the observation deck

Head to the Observation Deck for the Views

If you want to see an overall view of the entire village, there’s an observation deck located nearby. In order to get there you have to take the shuttle bus, which leaves from the central area of the village, near the bus station. The cost is 200 yen and the trip is about 5-10 minutes. You can also walk up, but it takes much longer. You’ll be amazed by the views here, which includes the beautiful snow-covered mountains. Near the observation deck is a souvenir shop which also has snacks and hot drinks.

Shirakawago Winter Light Up Event

Every year in the winter after the New Year, there’s a light up event in Shirakawago. This is a special and magical time where the houses are all lit up, and adds even more charm to the village. It’s a very popular event, so be aware there will be a lot of tourists. Unfortunately we were here too early for it, but hope to make it someday! It seems for 2019 they are doing a lottery system since it’s become too popular to accommodate the crowds.

Take a Day Trip to Gokayama

Also within the area are the villages of Gokayama. These ones are more remote and less popular, giving an truly local experience. Ainokura is the larger village here and very remote. You can really get a sample of the traditional culture here, and also see how washi paper is made. Suganama is the other village in Gokayama and has a few museums, and well preserved farmhouses. These feel and look very similar to Shirakawago, but a lot less touristy.

We hope this post inspired you to plan your own Shirakawago winter adventure. It’s truly like taking a step into the past, and allows a glimpse into the history and culture of this area. Japan is a country with such a diversity of beauty, and this is a must see, whether you’re an avid traveler here, or even if it’s your first time. And winter is a magical time to be here!

Looking for another Tokyo day trip idea? Check out our guide to Izu Peninsula and Kamakura.

Have you been to Shirakawago? If so we’d love to hear what you think!

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The post Shirakawago Winter Guide: A Dreamy Japan Experience appeared first on Our Travel Soup.

Japan is an amazing country, full of unique things to see and do. There’s no shortage of fun ideas and it’s an extremely kid-friendly destination. There is something usually on every street that will catch your eye and attention. Although the flight there is long, we find traveling with our daughter to be very easy once we arrive there. Convenience stores are on every corner so you’re never far from grabbing snacks or drinks. With cute characters like Hello Kitty, Totoro, Anpanman and kawaii stuff all over, it’s like a child’s dream. There’s a surplus of activities to do in Japan for kids that will make them smile (and you too!) Here’s a list of just a few ideas to for your next family trip.

Note: We use affiliate links in this post. This helps us to continue providing great content. For more info you can read our full disclosure here.

Things to Do in Japan for Kids

Holding a hedgehog at Harry’s Hedgehog Cafe

Hedgehog Cafe

While wandering around Tokyo we came across Harry’s Hedgehog Cafe. Being a lover of these little critters I had to stop in. Once inside we found the line to be quite long, but it moved quickly. When we got to the front of the line we noticed a menu of choices to pick from, and each one included a drink. We chose a combo of 30 minutes with some meal worms to feed them for a total of $16.

Terra petting one of the hedgehogs, she loved it!

After picking our menu choice, we were seated on both sides of a small open cage and provided gloves to wear while handling. Their spikes can feel quite sharp when they get scared, so we wore gloves most of the time. Terra loved playing with and feeding them. They were pretty calm with a few jittery moments, but I loved holding and cuddling them. Hedgehogs are such interesting creatures! At the end we paid and grabbed a stuffed hedgehog souvenir to take home.

Terra loved watching these interactive displays at the museum

Anpanman Museum

Since Terra loves the Anpanman characters we knew we had to check out Anpanman Museum. It’s an amazing place to spend the day. Across Japan there’s several locations, depending on where you are. Whether your kid is familiar with these characters, they will still love the many fun things to do here.

Adorable breads and sweets made to look like the characters

At some point we got an Anpanman balloon and she didn’t want to let it go!

As we explored the museum we came across a little cafe/village for pretend play, an area to jump around and play with balls, climbing areas, building stations with various blocks and toys, interactive displays, cafes with cute Anpanman themed foods, and much more! Terra loved just wandering around here to explore. We also noticed an occasional show happening with the characters, although we never stopped to watch all of it. Overall, it’s truly a paradise for kids and will keep them happy all day!

On the colorful streets of Harajuku

Harajuku

Another place we enjoyed bringing Terra is Harajuku. It’s fun to explore for people of all ages, and there’s lots to see and do here. With the unique street fashion and kawaii shops we were in delight the whole time. There’s so many pops of color going on and fun music all around. You can also try some of the street foods, Terra especially loved the crepes. It’s a overall cool Japanese culture experience for your kids to have. We loved to people watch, admire the funky fashion and shop for souvenirs.

The outside of the whimsical building of Studio Ghibli

Ghibli Museum

One of our favorite places we’ve been in Japan is Ghibli Museum. Terra absolutely adores all of the movies and loved seeing the history behind it all here. Photos are not allowed inside, so I don’t have any to show except for the outside. The inside was filled with whimsical fun and we walked through windy quirky pathways through each area.

It’s not easy to get a ticket, but if you book this full day Miyazaki Movies Tour it’ll be included. You’ll also get to tour an open air Edo museum and some other spots that are reminiscent of scenery from the films.

Robot sculpture from “Castle in the Sky” on the rooftop

Looking into the cafe area of the museum

It truly is a magical place and you’ll learn how movies were made and see exhibits inspired by the movies. We got a glimpse of how a typical artist studio looks, and some progression of the drawings. Terra’s favorite place here was the play area where kids can climb and go inside the giant Neko bus. We then went to the roof area for some beautiful views of the museum and property. At the end is a really cool gift shop with all kinds of Ghibli goodies. After the shop, we stopped at the museum cafe to grab a bite to eat, and there were plenty of kid-friendly options available. Before leaving we also walked around the grounds of the museum and explored some of the parks around, it was quite a charming area.

Outside of a Daiso shop in Tokyo

Daiso

Every time we go to Japan we make sure to stop at Daiso. It’s equivalent to a 99 cent store in America. The stores are pretty big and there’s an extensive amount of cool stuff to check out here. They are located in various locations around Japan, but the largest one is in Harajuku. Terra loved exploring all the aisles and never got bored. It’s filled with so many random things that everyone will have a blast! It’s also a great place to grab some small souvenirs as well.

A glimpse of the cafe filled with friendly cats

Cat Cafe

Another family favorite to go while in Japan are the cat cafes. Terra absolutely loves them and being able to just hang out with a bunch of cats in a small space made her day. They typically have drinks and snacks available to munch on while visiting. We mostly just focus on seeing the cats and how each one is unique. We found them all to be very friendly and approachable. There were even some sleeping inside cups and bowls, it was adorable! We highly recommend stopping at one while in Japan.

Terra enjoying the prize games at the arcade

Musical drums game at the arcade

Visit an Arcade

Arcades are always fun for kids of all ages, and the ones in Japan are just awesome. You can find one pretty much anywhere and there’s a plentitude of stuff to do to keep you busy all day. You can practice your dance moves, catch and win prizes, play video games, play simulator and racing games, be silly in the Purikura photobooths, and so much more. We had a blast it was hard to leave, definitely a must-have experience for anyone.

Interacting with the wild deer on Miyajima island

Miyajima Island

On the way to Hiroshima, we stopped at Miyajima Island to explore for a few hours. Along with seeing the Great Torii and trying some street snacks, we also interacted with the wildlife. It’s quite an enchanting experience for kids with the wild deer wandering around. Terra always loves to see animals, and being able to get up close and personal with them is so unique. The deer are so tame you can even hand feed some of them. There’s a lot more to see and do on the island so either make a day of it or stay overnight.

Closeup of one of the owls at the cafe, so cute!

Holding one of the owls at the cafe

Owl Cafe

Yet another animal cafe, but this time with a variety of owls. At an owl cafe like this one you’ll have the chance to get up close and personal with the owls, including holding and petting them. I’ve never really had the chance to interact with one, so here was my chance. They may be hard for little ones to hold, but they’ll still love being able to look at them. We also got some adorable owl-themed desserts and drinks, a nice ending to a cool experience.

Terra fascinated by the scenery outside along the train journey

Take a Scenic Train Ride

During every visit to Japan, we also love to venture outside of Tokyo. There’s so much to see in the countryside and mountain areas. Terra loved looking outside the large windows, this one in particular was on the way to our three day trip to Takayama. Kids are fascinated by trains and love seeing the scenery outside. You can even teach them a bit about what they’re seeing and about the special shinkansen trains in Japan. Regardless of your destination, they will love the journey there!

A view in Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens in Japan

Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens

With every city we visit, we love checking out local parks and gardens. It’s a great way to get outside and be in nature a bit. Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens is a beautiful landscape garden next to Tokyo Dome City. Terra loved being able to run around and search for nature things to collect here. You can also see some wildlife and they can learn about the local trees and plants here. There’s a few bridges hidden within here, so it’s a great photo opportunity. If the weather is nice you can have a picnic or just wind down in between site-seeing. It’s a nice escape from the busy side of Tokyo.

Tokyo Disneyland

Although we haven’t visited here yet, it’s an obviously great choice to go with kids. Rides, games, and Disney characters are always guaranteed to be a day of family fun. If you have enough time to go while in Tokyo, definitely make a stop here. You can buy a one day pass here and skip the line as well!

We hope you enjoyed this list of ideas on what to do in Japan for kids. This is just a few of many activities to do, Japan is full of stuff to discover, and being in a new country is always inspiring!

Have you been to Japan with your kids? If so, what other things did you do there?

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The post Japan for Kids: The Most Kawaii Guide You’ll See appeared first on Our Travel Soup.

While planning our yearly Japan travel to visit family, we always make sure to see a new part of the country. Our most recent trip was over the holidays and during the winter season. I instantly knew that I wanted to see a region where snow was guaranteed. We decided upon Shirakawago and Takayama, two beautiful and historic villages nestled within the mountains of the Gifu prefecture.

As you plan your trip, you may wonder what under-the-radar places in Japan you should see. With just a 5 hour trip from Tokyo, these picturesque, postcard worthy villages are very easy to see in a weekend and an experience not to be missed. This can also be integrated into a much larger itinerary.

Note: We use affiliate links in this post. This helps us to continue providing great content. For more info you can read our full disclosure here.

Japan Travel Itinerary: 3 Days in Shirakawago and Takayama

In This Article
Shirakawago
Where to Stay in Shirakawago
Shirakawago/Takayama
Takayama/Head Home

Day 1: Shirakawago

Shirakawago is a quaint little village of Gassho-style or thatched-roof homes within the Hida region of Gifu. It is surrounded by the stunning Japanese alps giving a beautiful backdrop, one reminiscent of Switzerland. The village itself gets a lot of visitors, especially during peak seasons, but don’t let that deter you. The best way to experience this town is by staying overnight in one of the houses, as most visitors leave by early evening, giving most of the village to yourself to explore.

How to Get to Shirakawago

Total travel time to Shirakawago from Tokyo is around 5 hours. You will have to take several trains and a bus to reach the village. Here’s some info that will help you find your way there.

Train from Tokyo to Nagoya

The easiest way to get here is via Nagoya. Since we were visiting family first before our trip here, we took the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Nagoya. In order to make the most of our time we opted for the Nozomi (express) train which was only about 1.5 hours total. Once you arrive in Nagoya you will have to switch to a different train. While you’re at the station we highly recommend grabbing a bento and eating it on the next train. It’s also a great time to grab some souvenirs from here as well!

Optional Extra Night
If you have more time in Japan, you can opt to stay overnight in Nagoya. We stayed at the Westin Nagoya Castle which has gorgeous views of the castle, a must-see while you’re here.

Train from Nagoya to Takayama

The next train you’ll take is the Limited Express Hida to Takayama. The total travel time is about 2.5 hours. We absolutely loved the stunning views as you enter the Gifu region. Along the way we were lucky to come across some snow, which got heavier the closer we got to Takayama. Gero Onsen is an optional stop along the way for an authentic Japanese onsen experience.

Snowfall during the train ride to Takayama

Lunch in Takayama

Depending on what time you arrive to Takayama, you may want to grab some lunch before the bus trip to Shirakawago. We decided to stop at 飛騨産そば 飛騨, a hand-made soba noodle place right near the station, and conveniently located near the bus terminal.

Soba shop in Takayama near the station

Warm soba noodle bowl

Terra helping to grate the wasabi for our soba

It was snowing and quite cold as we arrived, so a nice warm bowl of soba was the perfect way to warm up. The noodles were handmade and absolutely delicious. I chose a simple hot bowl of soba with mountain vegetables. One unique aspect was being able to grate the wasabi fresh at your table with a shark skin grater. This helps to make the wasabi super smooth. Terra really enjoyed taking part in this and helping out. It makes such a difference when it’s fresh.

Takayama to Shirakawago

To get to Shirakawago you must take the Nouhi bus to Shirakawago from the Takayama Bus Terminal. It takes about 50 min to get there. Just like the train, the ride there is very scenic and comfortable.

Half-Day Trip from Takayama
If you don’t plan to stay the night in Shirakawago, you could always book a half-day tour from Takayama. It includes round trip transportation and a guide. You’ll also get a tour inside one of the traditional gassho farmhouses!

Magical snowfall while walking along the main street

The main street of Shirakawago

We arrived in Shirakawago around 3pm and the snow was falling so magically, like a fairytale. It truly felt like we were in a real life snow globe. We walked around the village to explore a bit and tried a few street foods from some of the stalls along the way. The scenery completely took my breath away and I wanted to make sure to capture it. The snow was quite heavy and piled up and was the perfect opportunity to be a kid again and play as if it was a snow day.

Terra walking inside the hall of Magoemon

Standing outside of Magoemon

Where to Stay in Shirakawago

In order to get a full unique experience, we decided to stay overnight in one of the village houses. This allowed us to have a more private experience while most tourists typically just make a day trip here. We decided upon Magoemon, a traditional farmhouse in the thatched-roof style. The inside is very traditional with tatami rooms and a shared bathroom. They also had a private hot bath for soaking, which felt so great after spending time out in the snow. The rooms were heated with a space heater and were quite cozy. Don’t expect a luxurious experience here, but this family-owned place will allow you to experience the true, authentic Japan.

See more places to stay in Shirakawago.

Leisure Time

After getting settled in our rooms and having some tea, we grabbed some boots from the entrance area and headed back out to explore more before dinner. We visited a museum which features historic pictures and artifacts from the village and surrounding area. It was also a great place to take some pictures from higher up overlooking some of the houses.

Terra with grandma (baba) and grandpa (jiji)

Gassho-style houses with a view

View of the village from the museum

As it was getting dark it felt dreamy walking around the streets with fresh fallen snow and lights glistening. Most places close early, but it’s nice to just walk around and experience a part of history, living a more simple life just for a moment.

See more: Shirakawago Winter Experience

A winter wonderland

Nightfall in Shirakawago

Dinner

We were very excited about the dinner at Magoemon. It was served with all guests sitting around an irori, a traditional sunken hearth, which grilled the fish and also heated the room. They served a traditional Honzen-ryōri Japanese meal with a course of several small local dishes including grilled ayu fish, hida beef, eggplant, sansai salad (mountain vegetables), miso soup, rice and sweet potato. At the end of the meal tea was served and it was quite relaxing sitting around the warmth of the irori. We were very full and satisfied after such a lovely dinner presentation.

Dinner was served around an irori, a traditional sunken hearth

Traditional Japanese breakfast at the farmhouse

Day 2: Shirakawago/Takayama

The next morning we woke up quite early since checkout is 9am at the farmhouse. They served a traditional Japanese breakfast around the irori hearth consisting of grilled fish, mushrooms grilled in a miso sauce, picked veggies, seaweed, eggs and fruit. Everything was wonderfully presented and delicious.

Since we got an early start it allowed us some time to check out the observation deck overlooking the village. You can either walk about 30 minutes up a steep hill to get to it, or take a shuttle bus which we did. The bus stops near the terminal in the village and runs every 20 minutes or so. It’s around a 5-10 minute drive to get there and the the cost is 200 yen.

Observation Deck

At the top are gorgeous views overlooking the entire village, with a majestic mountain backdrop. It can get pretty touristy up here, so the earlier you can go the better. As we were leaving we noticed it getting more busy, making it harder to take photos, but luckily we got on the first bus. There’s a souvenir shop with some snacks and sweets, and local items from Shirakawago and the Hida region. They had special kit-kat flavors only found in this area which are always great to bring back home.

Family photo in the observation deck

Glorious view!

Leisure Time

After getting back from the observation deck, we walked around the village a bit more and grabbed a few more souvenirs from the shops. The sky was so clear and blue and the sun was shimmering on all the snow from the night before. It was truly a winter wonderland and a dream to walk through one last time before we departed for Takayama.

A small stream running alongside the village

Morning through a winter wonderland

Optional Add-On
If you have a few extra days you can also choose to stay overnight in Gokayama, a less touristy alternative to Shirakawago. The village is much smaller and more quaint if you’re looking for an even more secluded experience. You can also choose to stay another night in Shirakawago for more time there and take a day trip to Gokayama.

Day 2 Continued: Takayama

To return back to Takayama you take the same bus back from the main terminal in Shirakawago. Upon arrival it was almost time for lunch, but first we went to our hotel so they could hold our luggage for us. We got to explore some of the streets of Takayama along the way and got a feel for the area. The snow was not as heavy as Shirakawago, and was quite slushy from an unusually warm day.

Where to Stay

There are a lot of great options for lodging in Takayama. We decided upon an onsen ryokan called Machiyado Ichiryu. The location was key since it was close to everything we wanted to see and central to most of the sites in town. They specialize in hida beef, a regional specialty that we were excited to try.

See more: Hotels in Takayama

Hida beef sushi

Hitsumabashi dish made with hida beef

Lunch

One of the must eats in Takayama is beef sushi, made from Hida beef which is special to this region. As we explored the nearby streets around our hotel we came across a lot of places with long lines. We were pretty hungry by now, so we found a place with a shorter wait time called Kyoshi. The sushi was quite delicious and the beef was just slightly seared on the top adding another layer of flavor. We also got a hitsumabushi which is typically made with eel, but this one was with hida beef instead. It’s eaten in stages, in four different ways with the final serving eaten in a dashi broth.

Leisure Time

After lunch, we decided to explore the main shopping area of Takayama Old Town. There is an abundance of cute shops and street food that lines the main street. There are beautifully intact Edo period homes and you can get a glimpse inside some of them, like the Yoshijima Heritage House. It’s quite amazing to explore the rooms and get a glimpse of what life used to be like. During our walk we also saw several rickshaws transporting tourists, which is a nice way to get around there.

Hida beef bun shop

One of the must try street foods is senbei, a popular Japanese rice cracker snack. There were several different flavors in Takayama and one of my favorites was the simple shio or salt flavor. There were also beef buns made with Hida beef of course. We also tried dango, a sweet Japanese dumpling from a street cart. There were also several places selling soft cream (soft-serve ice cream) with unique flavors like soy sauce, tofu, salt, and simple milk. Even though it was cold outside, I had to try. It’s definitely worth the trip here alone for the food, some of which is unique to this region.

Dinner

After exploring the old town, we headed back to the hotel to relax before dinner. We took advantage of the free guest access at Spa Alphine, a set of outdoor hot spring baths with nice views of the city. During our time soaking in the bath we experienced a light snow fall and it was such a nice surprise.

Terra’s excited to try the Kaiseki course (she ate all of it of course!)

Hida beef course for hot pot

Dinner is served kaiseki style right inside the room. It’s a set menu of small dishes with an artful presentation, generally with local seasonal ingredients. For our ryokan the focus was on hida beef hot pot. Other dishes included tofu with mushrooms, sashimi, pickled veggies, fish cakes, hida beef bun, rice, miso soup and mini dessert cakes with custard. The beef was so tender, smooth and perfectly filling. It was delicious even with just a touch of salt. All of the other dishes complemented well with it and didn’t overpower the main dish. It was definitely a meal to remember and a great way to get a taste of this part of Japan.

Day 3: Takayama/Head Back Home

Breakfast

A Japanese breakfast was served in a main room within the ryokan. It consisted of a typical assortment of small local foods arranged in a beautiful presentation. These dishes are perfectly filling and create a nice balance of overall health.

Checking out a shop at the morning market

Vendor selling local crafts at Miyagawa Morning Market

Miyagawa Morning Market

After eating we walked over to the Miyagawa Morning Market. It’s held along the river and consists of several stalls and shops selling local food and produce. There’s also some souvenir shops and street food to grab along the way. It opens and closes quite early, so we got here around 8am. The walk was quaint and very peaceful. It wasn’t as lively as I expected, but still nice to see.

We tried a few of the street foods and highly recommend trying the custard. It was heated up and gave a nice cozy feeling with the cold air outside. The cart is quite popular so just look for a line of tourists. There’s a few tables setup to eat at and relax for a bit. There’s also a vendor selling apples. She even slices them for you if you don’t like eating them whole. The apples are so delicious and local to the area.

Takayama Old Town

After getting our fill of the market, we walked back through the Old Town again for one last visit. Since we had a long trip ahead down to Fukuoka, we didn’t have much time to spend in Takayama. If you have extra time to spend we highly recommend checking out the Hida Folk Village. The main reason we left it out is because we had been to Shirakawago and it has a similar feel, but with more time here we definitely would have. It’s a short bus ride a little outside the main part of the village.

We hope this inspires you to visit the Gifu region and spend time in Takayama and Shirakawago. The history, architecture, unique food, and rich local culture is worth a visit.

Have you been to Takayama or Shirakawago? We’d love to hear about your experience there!

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The post Japan Travel: Shirakawago and Takayama in 3 Days appeared first on Our Travel Soup.