Takayama Highlights Tour of Must-Visit Gems
This is the ideal tour for first-time visitors looking to discover Takayama's history, authentic culture, and natural beauty with a local guide! The basic itinerary includes some of the best experiences, such as the morning market, the old town, and a local sake brewery. Please let me know your interests, and I will happily arrange a customized tour just for you!
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
At your hotel lobby or anywhere in central Takayama
Morning Market
One of the three largest markets in Japan with a history of over three hundred years. I'll show you some of the best stalls for fresh local produce, Hida-style pickles, and more!
Old Town
Takayama's beautifully preserved old town is known as Gifu Prefecture's "Little Kyoto." You'll feel as if you've time-traveled to ancient Japan in this old merchant district built in the samurai period! Many options for delicious street food are available, and I can give you my recommendations!
Local Sake Brewery
Takayama's cold climate is ideal for brewing sake, and there is a unique sake culture. Learn how to enjoy Japan's national drink with your guide, a licensed International Sake Sommelier!
Ending Point
At your hotel lobby or anywhere in central Takayama
Want to personalize this tour?
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This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Guide fee
Entrance fees
Lunch (for you and the guide)
Tour Important Information
・Additional fees are not included (entrance fees, sake tasting fees, lunch, transportation, etc.)
・Please note that I cannot take responsibility for any accidents that occur during the tour. I highly recommend getting travel insurance before you come to Japan.
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
About Tour Guide Mika S.
My interests include art, architecture, food, sake, wine, and sustainability.
In the past, I had the opportunity to visit destinations around the world. My passion for traveling and experiencing other cultures helped me recognize the beauty in my own culture, and inspired me to become a tour guide. I’m a fun, energetic, and passionate guide who’s ready to show you an unforgettable time in Japan, whatever your interests may be!
Hida is a beautiful region tucked away in the Northern Alps, and its location helped preserve Takayama’s old town constructed by local master carpenters. On your tour, I’ll give you tips on what you should look for to appreciate traditional Japanese architecture. If you’re a sake lover, Hida is the place for you because the cold climate makes it suitable for brewing quality sake. I’m a licensed Sake Sommelier, and I’d love to take you to the breweries in town and give you some recommendations. I’ve also been trained to host art tours. If you’re interested in contemporary Japanese art, I recommend visiting Kanazawa, where you can find inspirational creativity in every corner!
My goal is to help you discover the authentic Japanese way of life while feeling comfortable like a local rather than standing out like a tourist. Please let me know what kind of experience you’re looking for, and I will happily tailor a unique experience just for you.
Fun facts about me!
I was sponsored to travel around the world twice
I was a torch runner in the 1998 Nagano Olympics
I grew up in nature, eating wild plants and seeing many wild animals
Reviews
Sierra T.
“Exceeded My Expectations”
We booked this tour with Mika and were blown away with how incredible it was. She is so sweet and kind, we felt comfortable throughout our entire tour. She is very knowledgeable and explained many things about the history of Takayama and the sake-making process. As a sake-sommelier, she really elevated this experience with her exceptional knowledge. The tour of the sake brewery was informative and the tasting was delicious. I would recommend this tour to anyone who wants to have a unique and informative sake experience - thank you Mika!!
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Mika S.
Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful review, Sierra! I’m truly glad the timing aligned, and it was a pleasure to host the sake experience for you and your parents. I’m grateful for the opportunity to have shared a part of your time in Takayama and to introduce you to something I’m so passionate about. I hope our paths cross again on another tour in the future!
Thierry A.
“Exciting Sake Tour in Takayama”
Thank you for the tour of the sake brewery. Your knowledge and passion made this tour really enjoyable.
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Mika S.
Thank you for the kind review, Thierry. I was pleasantly surprised by your extensive knowledge of sake! It was a pleasure sharing my passion for sake with you, and I'm thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the tour.
Deborah I.
“A Wonderful Half-Day with Lovely Mika”
We enjoyed strolling and learning about Takayama with Mika. We went thru the market, visited the local shrine and most fascinating was visiting the historic house. Mika was obliging and helpful and a great companion.
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Mika S.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! I’m delighted to hear that you enjoyed our stroll through Takayama. It was a pleasure showing you the market, local shrine, and historic house. I’m glad you found them fascinating. I enjoyed being your companion for the day and am happy to have been of help. I hope to see you again on another tour in the future!
$385/ per group
More tours by Mika S.
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Sake Sensations: an Exclusive Tasting with a Sommelier
Thanks to its ideal climate, Takayama boasts a wide variety of local sake brewed at multiple private breweries. Each brewery has a different philosophy; understanding them will give you insight into how to enjoy the local masterpieces. Your guide will take you on an exquisite and culturally rich tasting experience at one of the breweries. Indulge in the world of sake with your guide, an International Sake Sommelier, and get detailed tips on how to enjoy Japan's national drink!
Sake Sensations: an Exclusive Tasting with a Sommelier
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Best of Takayama & Shirakawa-go Expedition
Start your day with a trip to Takayama's morning market, one of the 3 largest markets in Japan. Then, take a relaxing stroll through the old town, beautifully preserved for 300 years since the samurai period. In the afternoon, you will take a trip to Shirakawa-go and see its traditional thatched roof houses, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Please let me know your special interests, and I will happily customize the tour for you, especially activities or food you'd like to try!
Best of Takayama & Shirakawa-go Expedition
Takayama Foodie Tour
Do you want to explore Takayama like a local? Maybe you aren’t sure where to find the best eats or quality Japanese cooking utensils and vessels. On this private tour, you can take a culinary adventure and get the best of Takayama’s unique food culture! The cold climate is ideal for making miso, pickles, sake, and many other traditional Japanese food. Get ready to go on a delicious journey where you can learn about Takayama through its authentic cuisine.
Takayama Foodie Tour
Other Popular Highlights Tours in Takayama
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Takayama Full-day Private Tour (6 hours)
You can visit the old town area in Takayama with a friendly, Hida area Government-licensed Guide Interpreter. Walk around "Miyagawa Morning Market", where you can find locally grown foods and handcrafts. Koi (carp) fish welcome you. Experience the feel of "Takayama Festival" at the Festival Floats Exhibition Hall. Skilled artisans’ works, traditional structures seen in Takayama old town are must-see, too. Also why not try talking to locals? Your guide is more than happy to help you.
Takayama Full-day Private Tour (6 hours)
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Wonderful half-day experience Takayama tour
Takayama has a lot of nature and culture. In this tour, you can experience such a wonderful time of culture and nature in Takayama. At first, I guide you to the only surviving old office building in Japan where has a beautiful Japanese garden. Next, let's enjoy local street morning market for shopping! Then, how about seeing magnificent festival floats? Passing through the old street, why don't you go to the crafts square in order to enjoy making some local products by yourself?
Wonderful half-day experience Takayama tour
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Takayama and Shirakawago in 1 day
How about spending 1 day to visit both Takayama and Shirakawago? This tour departs from Takayama and we will spend first 2 hours in Takayama and then depart to Shirakawago for 3.5 hours walking tour. If the group is staying in Kanazawa for the night after the tour, it is not necessary to come back to Takayama.
Takayama and Shirakawago in 1 day
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