Takayama Arts & Crafts Local Culture Tour, Licensed Guide

The Takayama Jin'ya is a surviving Edo period jin'ya which served as the government headquarters for Hida Province under the Tokugawa shogunate of Japan from 1692 to 1871.

An essential Takayama tradition is called Asa-ichi. Behind this name hides the small morning market where fresh produce and local crafts are found.

The Miyagawa Morning Market has existed in one form or another for more than two centuries, and it's still a hub for fresh produce. The market is located on either bank of the Miya River between two bridges—Kajibashi and Yayoibashi. Every morning, weather permitting, you can buy everything from local fruit and vegetables to dolls and stylish chopsticks. As with all markets, the earlier you get there, the better. The juiciest, freshest products will get picked off first, and the market is a perfect place for people-watching.

The heart of Takayama is Sanmachi, the old town of preserved and restored buildings. During the Edo period (1603-1867), Takayama was a lively hub town bustling with craftsmen, merchants, and farmers from the surrounding area. Today that legacy is preserved in the three main streets and encircling districts of Sanmachi.

The Takayama Festival, held in spring (April 14 and 15) and autumn (October 9 and 10), is ranked as one of Japan's three most beautiful festivals (the other two are Kyoto's Gion Matsuri and the Chichibu Matsuri). Four of the autumn festival's eleven floats (yatai) are exhibited at the Takayama Matsuri Yatai Kaikan (高山祭屋台会館), a hall next to Sakurayama Hachiman Shrine. The elaborately decorated floats are several hundred years old and beautiful examples of Takayama's legendary craftsmanship.

Visit this deeply traditional and unforgettable merchants’ house. The Kusakabe were a family of merchants that worked for the shogunate in Takayama and prospered during the Edo period. In 1879, after the original building had been lost in a fire, a skilled artisan by the name of Jisuke Kawajiri rebuilt the house in its traditional Edo period style using the unparalleled craftsmanship of the Hida region, which is the building as you see it now. It was designated a national Important Cultural Property in 1966, and is currently open to the public as a folk arts museum.

Matsuri no Mori (Festival Forest Museum) offers a glimpse into the vibrant world of Takayama’s famous festivals. The museum features full-sized replica floats (yatai), richly decorated with gold leaf and lacquer, as well as mechanical karakuri dolls that perform traditional dances in a dramatic underground hall. In addition to the festival exhibits, visitors can explore a nature museum with a global insect collection and meet cute animals like squirrels and rabbits. There is also a peaceful tea house and a small art gallery on-site(10min walk from Matsuri no Mori). Blending culture, nature, and local charm, Matsuri no Mori is an enjoyable stop for visitors of all ages.

This accessories shop centered on rabbit goods is located in the middle of the Hida Takayama townscape. While purchasing various products themed on rabbits, regardless of the material or purpose, the red bunny doll called Ubobo that was invented by the shop owner is a Takayama specialty that can only be bought here. Creating them with hopes for easy childbirth and to invite happiness, the shop offers netsuke (miniature carved Japanese ornament), oil blotting paper and other items besides Ubobo dolls. Their original products, such as a towel handkerchief called Usami and a collagen face wash towel, are extremely popular as souvenirs. In addition, they also hold regular storehouse exhibitions.

Hida Sashiko has been producing sashiko thread since 1975. Sashiko threads from Hida Sashiko have only been available for sale outside of Japan since 2010. Kiwi Threadz is honored to be awarded the sole distributorship of Hido Sashiko threads for New Zealand. The product is a wonderful addition to our range, we hope that you will try it and enjoy using it as much as we do. The threads come in two different lengths 50 meters and 145 meters, both variegated and mono colors.