Everyone knows Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto. But venture north into the Japanese Alps, and you’ll find Takayama, a preserved Edo-era town with a food culture that’s deeply tied to its rugged surroundings.
🏔 What’s Unique About Takayama?
- Narrow streets with preserved wooden homes
- Morning markets along the Miyagawa River
- A small-town feel with warm hospitality
🍲 Hidden Delicacy: Hida Beef
While Kobe beef gets the spotlight, Hida beef—from black-haired Japanese cattle raised in Gifu Prefecture—is just as tender, marbled, and flavorful.
Try it:
- Grilled on magnolia leaves with miso at local ryokans
- In beef sushi—yes, raw slices on vinegared rice, slightly torched
🥢 More Local Eats
- Hoba miso: Miso grilled with veggies and mushrooms
- Sansai soba: Noodles topped with wild mountain vegetables
- Sweet gohei mochi on skewers, covered in a miso-based sauce
Takayama is peaceful, picturesque, and deeply rooted in rural Japanese life. It’s a hidden gem that tastes as good as it looks.
