If you’re a food lover, then regional Japanese cuisine should be on your list of must-try foodie experiences. Takayama offers unique foods in addition, to ramen and sushi, to try in Japan right in Takayam Old town! To help you decide what to eat in Takayama, here is a list of 15 foods to try in Takayama that will make you fall in love with Japan’s regional cuisine.
1. Houba Miso
A Takayama regional dish were beef is cooked with miso on a magnolia leaf (Houba).
2. Hida Beef Yakiniku
Hida Beef is a premium Wagyu beef from the Gifu Region. It’s highly marbled and juicy when cooked. Having in Yakinuy style (grilled meat) makes it for a fast but delicious meal.
3. Beef Sushi
Raw beef sushi on top of cracker. This ia a melt in your mouth one bite!
You can find it at
4. Gyuman - Steamed Buns
Hida beef wrapped in a fluffy, steamy bun. They come with various stuffings like sweet red bean, green pickles and pumpking! You can get them at
5. Handmade Soba Noodles
Soba noodles in Takayama are made freshly with buckwheat. The soba noodles are served with grated radish and Sobayu, the soba water where the noodles have been boiled. At the end of your meal Soy sauce is diluted with Sobayu to make a drink. It’s really a good ending note!
6. Yakisoba Noodles
The classic stir fried Japanese noodles made with a sweet and savory sauce. A must have at Izakaya bars.
7. Yakitori - Chicken Skewers
Charcoal roasted chicken skewers are so juicy. Order a few you’ll eat all!
Nasu Dengaku Takayama Style
Chargrilled Eggplants with miso and cheese. You can find it at
9. Black Sesame or Chestnut Baked Crackers
Perfect snack for your travels! These are hand made bake goods from 前畑点心堂 confectionary store.
10. Mitarashi Dango
A classic Japanese street food made with mochi to make balls with a soy glaze.
11. Gohei Mochi
A regional Japanese food where a rice cake is grilled and covered in a soy glaze. Here in Takayama the glaze has sesame but it can also have walnuts! The best one I had was at Akebonoya (あけぼのやだんご製造)
12. Owara Tamaten -
Beaten Eggs White Marshmellow
Regional Confectionary from Tomoya, neighboring town of Takayama. It’s made from eggs, sugar and agar making a fluffy cloud. It taste like roasted marshmallows. You can find it at the Miyagawa Morning Market in Takayama Rinseido
13.Purin
Japanese pudding is a custard based dessert different from other puddings. It comes in various flavors including matcha. Definitely try the original! You can find it a Takayama Pudding Tei
14. Korokke
Fried potato croquettes stuffed with hida beef. This street food is everywhere in Takayama but at Sukeharu meat shop you can find it made feshl!
15. Brewed Sake
Takyama is known for it sake breweries. There are 6 in Takayama old town where you can do sake tasting. The sakes are out smooth and well balanced!
So there you have it, 15 foods to try in Takayama. Take the leap, explore regional Japanese food and don’t forget to share your favorite dishes with us in the comments!
