Tucked away in the Japanese Alps, Takayama feels like a step back into feudal Japan. Its Sanmachi Suji district — three parallel lanes of dark timber merchant houses — is among the best-preserved historic streetscapes in the entire country. Takayama is also a gateway to the UNESCO-listed village of Shirakawa-go, famous for its steep-roofed gassho-zukuri farmhouses. The city is additionally celebrated
for its sake breweries, Hida beef comparable to Wagyu, and two of Japan’s most spectacular festivals.
