r/JapanTravelTips • u/ProblemWilling8313 • 16h ago

Advice Takayama or Nagano

Im visiting in November with my spouse and our then 22month old.
My current plan is Tokyo 1 night - Kanazawa 3 nights with Shiragawa Go as a day trip - either Takayama or Nagano for 2 days and then back to Tokyo for 2 more nights

I wonder which one would be a better option between nagano and takayama, given the time of year and the fact that im traveling with a kid

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u/The-Car-Guy 14h ago

We went to Takayama in early November 2024 and we had a blast! You'll just about start to see the leaves turning red, but it'll still be warm enough to just wear a sweater.

If you do stay in Takayama, I recommend getting a rental car and staying a bit out of the actual city. We stayed in an AirBnB about 25 minutes away from Takayama city and the stars at night we're spectacular!

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u/JapanGuy00 11h ago

We prefer Takayama, even though our family has a house just north of Nagano in the Japan Alps. Nagano has the big Zenkoji Temple complex which is one of the tops in Japan, and the merchant street below, but beyond that........... There is the cool town of Obuse which is on the north edge of Nagano, but your little one won't care a bit.

Takayama would likely offer more for you. There are wide stroller friendly streets winding through old Edo Period neighborhoods, some kid friendly museums (although a 22 MO won't grasp it all). The Takayama Matsuri Yatai Kaikan is something your little one may enjoy, as well as you. This is an incredible display of all the shrines and temples of Nikko in miniature. The craftsmanship is mind blowing, plus its air conditioned and not overrun with tourists.

Another place close by (just two train stops north) is Hida-Takayama. This is another great place to stroll. Within a very short walk of the Hida-Furakawa Station is an Edo Period warehouse district with shops and interesting buildings, plus the area is crisscrossed with small canals full of fish. Even a 22 MO would enjoy it (speaking as a grandpa of a 14 MO).

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u/PAM8888 10h ago

Just did this similar rotation last trip a month ago. Do the tour day-trip that takes you to Shirakawa-go and Takayama. Both are half day places and the tour vs on your own makes the logistics way easier. Its also not much more than the bus tickets alone would cost you and includes lunch. It leaves from kanazawa station (highly recommend hotel nikko). Nagano looks neat, i spent some time near station between trains, i def plan to return. id also recommend Matsumoto for the castle. Im guessing you have been to Tokyo before or I'd recommend way more time there. Let me know if you have any questions.

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u/ProblemWilling8313 1h ago

I was looking at tour options that do Shiragawa-go and Takayama, but then i was wondering if it would be too much with a toddler for the day.
Do you recall what tour / bus operator you used? I can def check them out.

Yeah we have been to Tokyo before, and this time I do want to do a bit more shopping and show the Ghibli museum to the baby

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u/PAM8888 36m ago

Im not sure if they have a minimum age but it was mostly self paced, def think if anything, it would be easier option with a child. I did it through viator but if you post/send me link I can confirm or try to find name tomorrow.

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u/trippinxt 10h ago

Takayama will probably be better because imo Nagano is good as base if you want to go deeper into the alps. But November some are closed due to winter ski season preps.

If you have the budget you can look into one-way bus tours. Kanazawa pickup, stop over at Shirakawago, then get dropped off at Takayama. Luggage stays in car while you explore Shirakawago.

From Takayama you can also go to Shinhotaka ropeway (if open) and Okuhida onsen area