Unwind in the peaceful mountain town of Takayama! | Things to do | Regional cuisine | Hot springs

Come join us as we take a break from the big city crowds and head towards the quaint mountain town of Takayama. In part 2 of our Japan travel series, we explore Takayama's historic Sanmachi District, where the buildings and homes that line the streets date back to the 1600’s. Then, we visit the picturesque farming village of Shirakawa-go, dedicated a UNESCO heritage site in 1995. Finally, we head further into the mountains to the outskirts of Takayama to Okuhida Onsengo, an area renowned for its 5 onsen resort towns. We stay in a ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) in Shinhotaka Onsen resort town. There, we check out the Shinhotaka Ropeway, then soak in some amazing outdoor hot springs with stunning views of the Japan Northern Alps!
00:00 Intro
00:48 Sanmachi District
05:18 Sake tasting
08:17 Sakurajaya
10:37 Shirakawa-go
13:22 Yarimikkan
15:30 Last Day
Where we stayed:
Antique Inn Sumiyoshi:
www.sumiyoshi-ryokan.com/
Shinhotaka Onsen Yarimikan:
www.yarimikan.com/
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[@LindaCarpenter-vj5ro]

Loved it. And the dedication at the end is so special. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@kutengsiong]

Visited Takayama back in 2019, to me more interesting and beautiful than other hot spot such as Tokyo Kyoto Osaka.

[@thewanderingfooz]

It was definitely a nice break from the busy cities, including the crowds in Kyoto!

[@nicoletice8493]

Wow love the video!!♥️

[@thewanderingfooz]

You rock! ❤️

[@samc1056]

Thanks for putting reference map in the beginning. It makes your video more informative and relatable.

[@JJPalma-lx5yn]

The dinner at Sakurajaya looked incredible! That's a one of a kind experience! Thanks for sharing!

[@thewanderingfooz]

Thanks for watching J.J.! Yes, dinner at Sakurajaya was definitely a highlight of our stay in Takayama! 😊

[@nowgaku]

What a trip in Japan!!

[@seikofretwell5774]

Loved!! Take me with you on your next adventure!

[@higgssinglet]

Nice!!!! Love it!!!

[@thewanderingfooz]

Thank you! 🤙

[@reinoreistravel]

The food looks so good 🥰

[@roninatomi4699]

My wife and I just found your channel, thank you. Amy my condolences for the passing of your Dad🙏

[@thewanderingfooz]

Hi Ron, glad that you found us! We'll try to keep it interesting, and thank you very much for your kind words. ❤️

[@Atipat12]

AMAZING 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@thewanderingfooz]

Thank you!! ❤️

[@rubberhook2997]

I would like to be there after watching your video. What a wonderful trip! Thank you!

[@thewanderingfooz]

That's great to hear! Thanks for watching!

[@SilatShooter]

Wow what a meal experience!! I'd travel there just for that meal by Chef Hiroshi-san!

[@MartinJutras]

It's close to my wife's hometown, we really enjoyed going there almost every year.

[@thewanderingfooz]

So lucky! And I'm sure you two explored other beautiful places in the area as well. Kamikochi is a place that I'd love to revisit!

[@jwwh22]

Excited to visit Takayama in September!

[@thewanderingfooz]

Excellent! The Hida beef is out of this world, and although we didn't mention it in the video, the Mitarashi Dango (grilled mochi balls dipped in sweet soy glaze) are a must try too! Have a great time!

[@richardzhao7877]

Thanks for the video. It brings me back the sweet memories of the trip to Shiragawa, Takayama and Gifu last November, with my wife!

[@thewanderingfooz]

Awesome! Glad it brought back some good memories, and thanks for taking the time to watch and comment!

[@02GreekIslands]

The video was nice and relaxing

[@thewanderingfooz]

Thank you very much!

[@mattsmith3135]

I enjoyed this video, and I'll be adding these locations to my 'wishlist' of places to see the next time I go to Japan.

[@naruto4843]

🇯🇵🏯🗼🗻👍

[@thewanderingfooz]

I'm glad you enjoyed the video Matt! We totally get that - our "Japan wishlist" keeps getting bigger instead of smaller after each visit! That being said, a visit to Takayama provides a nice break from the bigger, more touristy places in Japan, like Tokyo, Osaka, or even Kyoto.

[@anandgoud4120]

So nice!! I have been to Takayama, Shinhotama and Shirakawago in 2019!! Loved it during April freezing time in Japan!!

[@thewanderingfooz]

It got down to the 20's (F) while we were there! That's why you see us in the video with our masks on all the time - even when we didn't need them on - because it kept our faces warm! 😅 Thanks for watching!

[@anandgoud4120]

@@thewanderingfooz wanna share 1 funny thing, when i was booking the ryokan in shin hotaka, the owner sent me a clip of how the usual weather is during April time and it was snowy blizzard. and from here in Singapore (avg 35+ degrees) I couldnt believe it would be true. but boy when i reached there....hahaha!! was fun experience! thanks for capturing it in a best possible vlog of that region....

[@renedugarte3898]

Excellent 👍

[@thewanderingfooz]

Thank you very much!

[@RoldanSalalila-bl5ox]

This Great...

[@thewanderingfooz]

Thank you for watching!

[@ekg1967]

AWESOME video!!!

[@thewanderingfooz]

Thanks for your input! Much appreciated brutha! 🤙

[@ArvinderSinghArora-ej7hj]

Very good

[@thewanderingfooz]

Thank you for watching! We appreciate the comment!

[@fun2a3c]

Hi, I enjoyed watching this video! I will be travelling to Japan in mid Dec. I hope i can catch some snow! May I ask how long do you think is sufficient to explore shinhotaka ropeway? I'm not sure if I have sufficient time to travel to Gero Osen town after that.

[@thewanderingfooz]

Thank you for watching! We got to the ropeway early, and I believe we spent a total of 2 hrs there. That gave us enough time to make it to the observation point, enjoy the view, and have a quick lunch. We made it back to our ryokan and spent the majority of the day exploring the onsen. Enjoy your trip!

[@susmithaaroli779]

I am visiting soon and would appreciate it if you could let me know where you had the breakfast meal from. Looks delicious! Thanks

[@thewanderingfooz]

The 2 breakfasts that were shown in the video were included with our ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) stays at Sumiyoshi Antique Ryokan and Yarimikan Ryokan in Shinhotaka. You really shouldn't pass up the opportunity to have a traditional Japanese breakfast at a ryokan!

[@susmithaaroli779]

@@thewanderingfooz thanks so much for responding. Will definitely try it :)

[@briana330]

Looks like a great trip. Did you take the bus from Takayama to Shinhotaka Onsen Yarimikan and how did you find it? Did you stay just one night?

[@thewanderingfooz]

Thank you, and yes, we took the bus from Takayama! We stayed 2 nights at Yarimikan. That gave us enough time to explore all the baths there and also have some time to go to the Ropeway (which might be closed right now for renovations?). Depending on what time of year you go, you might be able to visit the neighboring onsen. Everything was closed when we went in Feb.

[@elviralovesgd]

Cool video, may I know how did you book Yarimikkan Ryokan? I checked out the website stated in this video but it seems it only receives booking by phone?

[@thewanderingfooz]

Thank you for watching! We reached out to Yarimikan via email, and all communication was done in English. Here is their email address: [e-mail] Enjoy! Our experience their was amazing!

[@user-be4ss6ck9n]

to chose -> to be chosen

[@pwkhang]

nice video. which month did you guys visit?

[@thewanderingfooz]

Appreciate the comment! We were in Takayama in early February. Perhaps that's why there were fewer people...? I hear it can get crowded there.

[@imansdiangga]

Hello, right now I'm on train heading to takayama. Looks interesting onsen in yarimikan, is it open for public? Or limited for guest who stayed in yarimikan? Actually I stay at tokyu stay near JR takayama. Or maybe would you recommend me the place that has an open air public onsen similar with yarimikan? Arigatou!

[@thewanderingfooz]

Yes, Yarmikan is open to the public during the daytime - check their website for specific times. Keep in mind that Yarimikan is about 1.5 hrs away from the bus station in Takayama, which is walking distance from where you're staying. We would recommend a stay at Yarimikan, but you should also stay a night or two in Takayama to enjoy what's there too!

[@jb6411]

what did you think of the Antique Inn Sumoyashi? You didn't comment on it in your video, Would you recomemend it? I'm thinking about booking the place for authentic ryokan stay! How was the room size?

[@thewanderingfooz]

Sumiyoshi Ryokan was a nice, quaint little place! Nice sized room (we got the one with the private bathroom), 2nd floor, and nice river view. Keep in mind that these old places aren't very well insulated, so it can get cold during the winter! The meals (breakfast was shown in the video) weren't luxurious - very rustic in fact - using locally sourced ingredients and focused on regional cuisine. So if you're looking for a fabulous, multi-course kaiseki meal, you're not going to get it here. That being said, we really enjoyed the food, the hospitality, and the authentic experience this place offered. And its proximity to the historic "old town", restaurants, and the morning market could not be beat! We hope you enjoy your trip, and please let us know how it went!

[@analizacarao5334]

Hi..what month is this? Did u take the bus in Nagano?

[@thewanderingfooz]

This was filmed in early February. We took the shinkansen from Osaka, then hopped on the JR Hida Limited Express train to Takayama (1.5 hrs-ish) since we had the JR Pass.

[@unifiedmemory7872]

What was the ramen shop called

[@bigdogsmama2748]

Really enjoy war Gingy your videos.

[@thewanderingfooz]

Thank you!

[@bigdogsmama2748]

Sorry, just realize the typo. Your videos are awesome! Please keep sharing. Thank you very much.

[@wandergirl5232]

Hi May I know what month this trip was?

[@thewanderingfooz]

Yes, this was shot in the beginning of February.

[@wandergirl5232]

@@thewanderingfooz Thank you! I enjoyed the video!

[@pwkhang]

hello, when is the video taken? in Feb?

[@thewanderingfooz]

Yes, we were there in Feb!

[@dochics1053]

How I get there and meet and greet people there and tour city with you and eat some pie 🥧 and meet girls 👭 and friends with you..

[@DrunkenXiGinPing]

Takayama wa, doko desuga ?

[@stella5322]

Disclaimer: I am allergic to crowded places. And maybe there is certain month or week in the post Covid era you can find peaceful times here… But we just paid a visit to Takayama - very disappointed 😢 I cannot believe how many tourists can be packed in the narrow street of the old town. The video could be shot during the Covid era. You will never get the peaceful setting in today’s world. Nothing is beautiful when the street is like packed sardines. Imagine you have to rub shoulders with others to do sake tasting and when you smell hida beef skewers all the time but couldn’t identify where is the end of the line. Thank god we only had one night in Takyama. Kamikochi and Shinhotaka are much more interesting. Btw, it was a weekday and in early November.

[@thewanderingfooz]

Bummer you had such an experience. I guess we were lucky to visit in February - streets were pretty empty, as shown in the video. Of course, as countries ease their COVID restrictions and allow their citizens to venture off again, there's going to be more crowds. And of course, with social media, more and more of these "hidden gems" are going to get more crowded. For example, Ginzan Onsen is on our bucket list, but I'm worried I'm going to be disappointed due to the crowds, and that's IF I can even get a reservation! But whenever we travel, we try to never get our expectations (or set our standards) too high, and if there's any mishap or something just doesn't our way, we roll with it. Or move on to the next location. Happy travels to you. 🤙

[@kimberlysadberry6757]

does that mixed gender bath you went to allow tattoos?

[@thewanderingfooz]

That's a good question. As you already know, most onsen don't allow tattoos. If you have tattoos on your torso, you may be able to get by, as the ryokan supplies women with "yuamigi" - a towel-like coverup for women for the mixed gender bath (you can see Amy wearing one in the video). However, just to be on the safe side, you should email the ryokan at: [e-mail] They will respond in English!

[@kimberlysadberry6757]

@@thewanderingfooz they are on my arms and back so maybe I could wear a rashguard 🤔thank you for their email😊

[@user-be4ss6ck9n]

Mixed gender bathing をおばちゃんとおじいさんが大好きだと思っていますね。

[@thewanderingfooz]

I'm not sure if I understand your message correctly. We understand that mixed gender bathing is not for everyone as people can be shy about nudity, especially in front of other people. However, the beauty of this place, whether enjoyed from a mixed gender bath or private one, is spectacular.

[@user-te3uu5dv1s]

高山はユダヤの地です Y遺伝子はユダヤ人と同じです

[@faithwalker5196]

Awful and annoying music

[@thewanderingfooz]

Point taken. I suggest you go back to watching ASMR videos. 🤷‍♂️

[@riccochong1712]

@@thewanderingfooz didnt think it was awful or annoying, but probably couldve been lower volume, good vid nonetheless

[@thewanderingfooz]

@@riccochong1712 Thanks for the suggestion, Ricco! We appreciate the constructive criticism. We've only put out a handful of videos, and each time I learn something to improve upon. If one's only comment is "Awful and annoying music", that's just... well, annoying! 😅

[@billwolfer4020]

@@thewanderingfooz Ignore pinheads like that. It's easy to be a negative jerk, it's harder to make a entertaining, thoughtful video such as this one. I've been a professional musician my entire adult life, and I thought your music choices were tasteful, and the entire video extremely well done. What's more, I now intend to visit Takayama on my upcoming trip to Japan this fall! Thank you for sharing your experiences.

[@thewanderingfooz]

@@billwolfer4020 You rock! 🤘 Replies like this make my day and inspire me to do better the next time. Good day to you, my friend! - Ken

[@DrunkenXiGinPing]

Pretty gross ….. eating raw meat ……