🇯🇵 Takayama,
Japan
#2247
Nomad Score
6.4
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36.1396246, 137.2510322
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ESSENTIALS
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏙️ City | Takayama (Hida-Takayama), Gifu Prefecture, Japan |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 88,000 |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average 120 Mbps; Fiber optics common in guesthouses and hotels |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 JPY ≈ 0.0067 USD (1 USD ≈ 150 JPY). Local banks include Juroku Bank and Hida Shinkun. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable and high quality (Alpine spring source) |
| 🔌 Power | 100V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets (flat two-pin) |
| 📶 SIM Card | Ubigi (eSim), Mobal, or Sakura Mobile (pick up at Chubu Centrair Airport) |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Sony Bank, Wise, and Revolut are most practical; 7-Eleven ATMs for cash. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Traditional Ryokans, Machiya rentals, and modern business hotels (Route Inn). |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Partial. Major stores take Suica/Credit, but many local stalls/temples are Cash Only. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb (Machiya houses), Booking.com (Business hotels like Alpha-1). |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Sora-ama Hostel (approx. 3,500 JPY/night), K's House Takayama (approx. 4,200 JPY/night). |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | Sanmachi Suji (Old Town area) for traditional vibes and proximity to sights. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | Near Takayama Station (Hanazatomachi) for access to transport and supermarkets. |
WORKING AND NETWORKING
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Co-konose (1,500 JPY/day, located near the station with high-speed Wi-Fi). |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Sherpa Coffee Roasters (spacious, quiet atmosphere) or Starbucks Takayama Okamotomachi. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Hida-Takayama Innovation Network (periodic local business meetups at Co-konose). |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Takayama International Association events or 'Language Exchange' nights at K’s House. |
TRANSPORTATION
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | GO App (Uber is largely unavailable here; local taxis use GO). |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Hida Riding (1,500 JPY/day) or rental shops directly outside Takayama Station. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Uchiura Beach in Toyama (approx. 2 hours by train/car). |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | ANA (flights via Toyama or Nagoya Chubu Centrair). |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Japan Airlines (JAL), Cathay Pacific, or Lufthansa via Nagoya (NGO). |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Chubu-Jukan Expressway and Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | JR Takayama Station (serves the Wide View Hida Limited Express). |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Takayama City Loop Bus (Machinami Bus) - 100 JPY per ride or 620 JPY day pass. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Nohi Bus for Shirakawa-Go (2,600 JPY) and Kamikochi; JR Train to Nagoya (approx. 6,000 JPY). |
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Takayama Red Cross Hospital (main facility with emergency services). |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga Studio Mahalo (local sessions) and various Onsens like Hida Takayama Onsen. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Takayama City Gym (Big Arena) - approx. 400 JPY for non-resident drop-in. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Coin Laundry 'WakuWaku' (open 24/7, approx. 800 JPY for a full wash/dry cycle). |
FOOD AND DRINK
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Demae-can (Limited coverage; local pickup is more common). |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Hida Beef (A5 Wagyu) and Hoba Miso (miso grilled on a magnolia leaf). |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Heianraku (legendary for vegan ramen and gyoza) and Eviltex (Mexican with veg options). |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Tamaya (for traditional Mitarashi Dango) and Cha-no-me (for matcha sweets). |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Sanyutown Supermarket or Valor for local prices. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Amazon.co.jp and Rakuten (shipping is fast even to the mountains). |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Amazon Fresh (limited) or Coop Gifu (membership-based delivery). |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Asahi-machi (a small district filled with tiny Izakayas and bars). |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Funasaka Sake Brewery (Sake tasting) or Hida Takayama Beer (Craft beer brewery). |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Bistro Kanzo (excellent selection of local and French wines). |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Miyagawa Morning Market (mornings only, along the river). |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Eviltex (Burgers/Tex-Mex) and Center4 Hamburgers (famous locally). |
CULTURE AND ATTRACTIONS
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Takayama Jinya (former government office) and Sanmachi Old Town. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Hida Folk Village (Hida-no-Sato) open-air museum. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | The Yoshijima Heritage House and Kusakabe Folk Museum. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine and Hida Kokubun-ji Temple (with its 1,200-year-old tree). |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Takayama Matsuri (April and October) - one of Japan's most beautiful festivals. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Sanmachi Suji (The preserved merchant district). |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Takayama Cultural Hall (local performances and concerts). |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Miyagawa Morning Market and Jinya-mae Morning Market. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Jazz bars like 'Desolation Row' offer a sophisticated local vibe. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Minimal street art; focus is on traditional 'Sashiko' embroidery and woodcarving. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Takayama Cooking Class (offers lessons on Hida beef and local vegetables). |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Hida Takayama Museum of Art (focused on glass and Art Nouveau). |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | Takayama Jinya (built in 1816). |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Sarubobo dolls (red faceless dolls representing good luck). |
NATURE AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Kamikochi Valley (stunning Alpine hiking, 1 hour away by bus). |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Chubu Sangaku National Park. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Higashiyama Walking Course (through the temple district). |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Shiroyama Park (site of the former Takayama Castle with city views). |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Miyagawa River banks during the early morning. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Okuhida Auto Campsite (approx. 45 mins away, designated fire pits available). |
OTHER SERVICES AND AMENITIES
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Yamato Transport (Kuroneko) - very reliable; drop off at 7-Eleven. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | PC Depot (nearest large center is in Gifu City, local small shops available). |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Takayama City Gym offers table rentals for a small fee. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Takayama International Association (TIA) offers affordable Japanese lessons. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Takayama City Library (Kanshokan) - beautiful old building atmosphere. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Takayama Shimin Bunka Kaikan. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Limited; mostly small local arcades inside shopping centers like Frespo. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Gambling is illegal; local Pachinko parlors are available near the bypass road. |
BUSINESS
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. 250,000 JPY per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 10,000,000 JPY / $67k) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. 180,000 JPY per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 7,200,000 JPY / $48k) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. 230,000 JPY per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 13,800,000 JPY / $92k) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. 160,000 JPY per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 9,600,000 JPY / $64k) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. 210,000 JPY per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 16,800,000 JPY / $112k) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. 140,000 JPY per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 11,200,000 JPY / $75k) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | Approx. 30.6% (Standard Japanese effective rate) |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 20.42% for non-residents, depending on tax treaties. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Resident-based taxation; worldwide income for permanent residents. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 45% (plus 10% local inhabitant tax). |
| 🧾 VAT | 10% (8% for certain food/drink items). |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, Japan has extensive anti-tax haven rules. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | 1.4% Fixed Assets Tax plus 0.3% City Planning Tax annually. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Approx. 3-4% (Registration and License tax + Real Estate Acquisition tax). |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | Japan Digital Nomad Visa allows 6 months of stay; income taxed at source usually. |
🧭 CONTINUE EXPLORING TAKAYAMA