Takayama is a world-famous travel destination with a well-preserved historic old town and the mouthwatering Wagyu - Hida beef. But you might have missed Takayama’s historic Higashiyama Walking Course, with ten temples you can visit in one day, free of charge. In Japan, temples (Tera) are for the Buddhist faith, whereas shrines (Jinja) are for the Shinto faith. Today visiting temples for prayer, appreciating their beauty, especially those with Zen gardens, and admiring traditional Japanese architecture in natural surroundings are the most common reasons.

10 Temples in the Higashiyama Temple Area

It takes about two hours to see all the temples on the Higashiyama Walking Course. The history of these temples originates in the 16th century when Nagachika Kanamori, a feudal Lord, established the castle town by relocating some temples to the east side of Takayama castle.

The exceptional skills of Hida’s carpenters are evident in the marvelous work they accomplished building the temples, which you can enjoy, along with the surrounding environment. Unlike in many other areas in Japan, Takayama city provides multi-lingual information explaining the history and characteristics of each temple displayed on boards at each location. One interesting fact you will discover is the timber chosen by the carpenters to build the temples has been in use for over one thousand years, withstanding the heavy snows and the strong winds over the centuries.

If you would like to take a coffee break, please feel free to drop by a cozy café on the trail. As a local, I also appreciate strolling along the promenade to take instagrammable photos of the seasonal changes, especially seeing the cherry blossoms in spring and foliage in fall.

Unryuji Temple

Unryurji Temple is the first temple on the path and is about a 5-minute walk from Yasugawa shopping street in Takayama’s city center. It was built in 720 but destroyed twice in a fire and finally rebuilt in 1732. It served as a family temple for the Kanamori family and is easily spotted from the street by its size and the large belfry gate, relocated here from Takayama Castle in 1590.

Higashiyama Hakusan Shrine

Walk up some stairs and pass through numerous giant cedar trees to arrive at Higashiyama Hakusanjinja Shrine, the oldest shrine on the walking course. The shrine, built in 719, stores a portable Kaguratai shrine for a festival held on 5 May yearly. It is a Municipal Folk Cultural Property in Japan. The guardian dogs and the main hall horse statues, donated by Hida carpenters, are worth checking out too.

Daioji Temple

In 1586 Lord Kanamori relocated Daioji Temple to its current location. It has a painting of hell (from the Buddhist tradition), the oldest belfry, and the only two-storied gate with gable roofs in the Hida region. The gate was destroyed by a typhoon in 1791 and rebuilt by Hida carpenters in 1807.

Dou-un-in Temple

In this temple, built in 1614, a guardian deity, Koyasu Jizo, the god of praying for safe childbirth in Japan, was enshrined here after many children lost their lives in a famine caused by the eruption of Mt. Asama in 1783.

Sogenji Temple

To mourn the first feudal lord Nagachika Kanamori, his son Arishige Kanamori built this temple in 1609. Afterward, it became the Kanamori family’s cemetery. The copper roof of the main building is the highlight here.

Higashiyama Shinmei Shrine

The year the shrine was built is unknown, and the shrine is a bit different from other temples as you will see an Ema-den (wooden placard) hall on your right upon arrival. The Ema-den was relocated from Takayama castle when the castle was demolished in 1695. The Ema-den hall was used for moon-viewing because of the many square pillars without walls in between.

Tenshoji Temple

The fabulous colors of the Japanese maples make this a local favorite among locals during the fall. It was built around 1182 and rebuilt in 1615 as it went unused for a long time. Hida carpenters sculpted two wooden elephants on the top of the pillar to replace the usual cloud shape. If you visit Takayama in autumn, this temple is a must-visit spot for beautiful fall foliage.

Hokkeji Temple

The main temple was relocated from Takayama castle by the third lord of the castle Shigeyori Kanamori in 1632 to pray for the spirits of his grandson, exiled to Takayama. The highlight of the main temple is the Nuki joinery, similar to mortise and tenon joints, but one beam fully passes through another beam.

Zennoji Temple

This temple was founded in 1558 and burnt down in 1585 with Matsukura castle. The temple was relocated from Matsukura to Higashiyama in 1835 by Lord Kanamori. If you are interested in Zen meditation, this is the place for you. If you want a Zen experience, please make a reservations

Soyuji Temple

Soyuji is the last temple to visit on the Higashiyama Temple Walking course and is the biggest of all. Soyuji temple was built in 1632 to pray for Arishige Kanamori, the father of the third generation of the Kanamori family.

Lunch & Café-hopping

Let’s fill our stomachs and chill out in-between visits to the magnificent temples.

Daikokuya

Are you feeling hungry while walking in the temple area? Stop by this lovely noodle restaurant operated daily by neighborhood grandmothers making delicious soba (buckwheat noodles) and udon noodles with toppings such as the mini-scallop tempura or curry with chicken soup.

Jiro Coffee

If you have a craving for an expresso or a latte then Jiro Coffee, a tiny café in this area, is a hidden gem and great for a snack and rest. The owner roasts their coffee beans and offers several kinds of handmade desserts too.

Casa Sola

The owner of Casa Sola spent some time in Spain studying art and cuisine in her 20s. She is very hospitable and offers tasty cheesecake and coffee. Not only is she a Takayama local, but she is also willing to share her adventures in Spain. She can speak Spanish too, great for Spanish speakers. Feel free to chill out and have a chat with the owners in Casa Sola after your 2-hour walk.

How to get to Takayama?

From Nagoya, the fastest and most direct way to reach Takayama is by JR Wide View Hida train. It takes about 2 hours and 40 minutes. Alternatively, you can also take the public bus to Takayama. The one-way train price is ¥5,610 whereas the one-way bus fee to Takayama is relatively cheaper at ¥3,100.

Wrap Up

If you are interested in experiencing the historical culture of Takayama, it is great to take half a day to explore the Higashiyama temple area and chill out at one of the cafes on your next trip.

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