⚠️ Equip Before You Fly (Don’t Game Over)
The Alps are remote. WiFi is weak and trains are infrequent. Prepare these:
📱 1. Internet (eSIM)
🚅 2. Transport (Shinkansen)
This trip starts from Nagoya Station. If you haven’t eaten “Hitsumabushi” (Eel) or visited Ghibli Park yet, check the base camp guide first!
🛑 Stop looking at neon lights!
Tokyo and Osaka are “Cyberpunk Japan.” But if you want to see “Samurai Japan” (wooden houses, sake breweries, and mountain villages), you must come to the Alps.
“Don’t do a Day Trip!” — Most tourists rush through. You need 2 days to experience the early morning river markets and the magic of a traditional Ryokan at night.
Your Guide: My partner “Hachi-Sensei” (Shiba Inu) will guide you through the mountains without freezing to death!
🚄 The Journey: Ride the “Wide View” Hida
From Nagoya, take the Limited Express “Hida” train. Approx 2.5 hours of pure emerald river views through huge windows.
💰 Money Hack: The “Correct” Pass
⚠️ IMPORTANT WARNING:
Do NOT buy the “Hokuriku Arch Pass” for this specific trip. It does NOT cover the train from Nagoya. You will be stuck at the gate.
The correct item is the “Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass”.
- ✅ Nagoya ➡ Takayama (Train included)
- ✅ Takayama ➡ Shirakawa-go ➡ Kanazawa (Bus included!)
- ✅ Kanazawa ➡ Osaka (Train included)
*This pass saves you about ¥5,000 compared to buying single tickets.
Day 1: Takayama – The Little Kyoto of Alps 🍶
Takayama Stats Dashboard
🌞 Quest 1: The Morning Market Hunt
Time: 08:00 – 11:00 (Closes at Noon!)
Go to the Miyagawa Morning Market. This is not a tourist trap; it’s where grandmas sell their farm vegetables.
Find a local grandma selling Apples. Takayama apples are incredibly sweet. Buy one and eat it by the river.
🥩 Quest 2: The Ultimate Hida Beef Curry
Time: 12:00 PM
You need energy for walking. Skip the light snacks and go for the real deal: Hida Beef Curry.
🍶 Quest 3: The “Sake Hop” Challenge
Time: 14:00 PM
The “Sanmachi Suji” (Old Town) is full of Sake Breweries. Look for the “Sugidama” (Giant cedar ball hanging under the roof).
How to play:
- Enter a brewery (e.g., Funasaka Sake Brewery).
- Buy a small tasting cup (¥200-500).
- Try different types (Sweet/Dry).
- Warning: Sake hits you later. Drink water!
🌙 Quest 4: Takayama Nightlife & The “Dinner Trap”
Time: 18:00 PM
Takayama is a country town. Most restaurants close at 17:00 or 18:00. If you didn’t book dinner at your Ryokan, you might become a “Dinner Refugee”.
Solution: Go to “Dekonaru Yokocho” (Food Alley) which stays open late!
🏮 1. Dekonaru Yokocho (Food Alley)
A narrow alley packed with 20+ tiny food stalls. Sushi, Gyoza, Teppanyaki, and local bars.
Vibe: Super friendly. Locals love chatting with tourists here.
🎯 2. Hankyu (Japanese Archery)
Takayama has a unique culture of “Hankyu” (Short Bow Archery) arcades. It’s like a carnival game from the Edo period.
Mission: Hit the bullseye and win a prize! It’s harder than it looks.
🥗 Vegetarian Survival Guide
- Hoba Miso (朴葉味噌): Grilled miso on a leaf. Ask for “No Beef” (Vegetables & Tofu only).
- Handmade Soba: Hand-crafted Buckwheat noodles.
- Gohei Mochi: Rice cake with walnut miso sauce (Snack).
⚠️ Note: Standard broth contains fish stock. Use “HappyCow” app!
♨️ Where to Stay: Hachi-Sensei’s Top 3 Picks
1. Hotel Wood Takayama (Luxury)
🐾 Hachi’s Pro-Tip:
“Heaven for drinkers! The Free Sake Lounge is amazing. Since there is no shared public bath, you don’t have to worry about Tattoo rules at all! Best vibe in town.”
2. Wat Hotel & Spa (Value)
🐾 Hachi’s Pro-Tip:
“Onsen lover but have tattoos? This is your spot! They have 4 Private Family Baths that are FREE to use. Also has a GYM for your morning workout. The perfect All-in-One hotel.”
3. Country Hotel Takayama (Budget)
🐾 Hachi’s Pro-Tip:
“If you want to save money for more Hida Beef, stay here! The room is small (just for sleeping), but the location is unbeatable. Station is across the street, FamilyMart is downstairs. Smart choice!”
Day 2: Shirakawa-go – The Hidden Snow Fortress ❄️
🚌 Morning: Bus from Takayama Bus Center
⚠️ Critical Bus Warning (The Trap)
Bus tickets to Shirakawa-go fill up weeks in advance. If you don’t reserve, you might be stranded in the snow.
Safety Net: If sold out, book a “Day Tour” which guarantees a seat.
This is not just a village. It is a time capsule. Once you cross the suspension bridge, you are no longer in 2026. You are in the 1800s.
- 🌉 Cross the Portal: The Deai-bashi Suspension Bridge.
- 📸 Find the “Three Huts”: The most famous photo spot (not on main street).
- 🔥 Smell the History: Sit by a real “Irori” (Sunken Fireplace).
- 🍡 Eat the Treasure: Hida Beef Croquette & Pudding.
🌉 Step 1: The Portal (Deai-bashi Bridge)
To enter the village, you must walk across a long suspension bridge over the Shogawa River.
The Experience: If it is snowing, the world turns completely white. The bridge sways slightly. It feels like you are entering a hidden fortress. Don’t slip!
🛖 Step 2: Enter the “Wada House”
These houses are not just for show. People live here. You can enter the Wada House (National Treasure).
Look at the Attic!
You will see shiny black pillars. That is soot from the “Irori” (fireplace) below. The smoke protected the wood from bugs for 300 years. Genius!
📸 Step 3: Secret Spot “The Three Huts”
Most tourists stick to the main street. Big mistake.
Walk towards the rice fields to find “San-goya” (Three Little Huts).
This is the poster view. Three huts standing in a line with the mountain backdrop. It is quieter here.
🍡 Step 4: Village Snacks
You cannot leave without eating these. It gives you energy for the cold.
Hot, crispy, and juicy.
Creamy glass jar pudding.
⚠️ Tutorial: 8 Iron Rules for the Alps
1. 💴 Cash is GOD
The mountains are analog. Carry 30,000+ JPY in cash for food and souvenirs!
2. 👞 Shoe Discipline
Easy-to-remove shoes only. You will take them off at temples and Ryokans constantly.
3. ❄️ Snow Gear (Dec-Mar)
Waterproof boots with grip are mandatory. Heat packs (Kairo) are a lifesaver.
4. 📦 Ship your Bags
Japanese hotels provide “God-tier” hospitality. Ship your bags and travel light!
5. 📶 Oxygen for Explorers
Mountain WiFi is weak. Have a reliable eSIM.
6. 🕓 The “5 PM” Shutdown
Old Town shops close early. Book dinner in advance or you will go hungry!
7. 🚫 NO Tipping
Hospitality is pure here. Tipping causes confusion and is not the culture.
8. 🚌 Bus Punctuality
Buses leave exactly on time. 1 minute late = Mission Failed.
🚀 Continue Your Journey
You have survived the mountains. Where next?
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