Agritourism to Takachiho,
the town of the gods

Enjoy Takachiho

Spring, when the cherry blossoms bloom in full glory in Takachiho, is the season when the people start to plow their fields. Try striking up conversations with those who are plowing their fields. You are sure to be met with kindness.

Once it becomes the season for leisure, you can’t go wrong with making a trip to the rivers and mountains, such as to the Takachiho Gorge or taking a ride on a heritage railway train. While Takachiho-cho is abundant in agriculture, there are also fun leisure spots at the river running through the valley and at the abandoned railway tracks.

The farmers’ hard work in constructing the beautiful terraced rice fields gained the region recognition as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System in 2015, and the region became recognized globally as one where “agriculture,” the “community,” and “culture” are deeply rooted. Enjoy the beautiful scenery of the terraced rice fields in autumn.

Every year from mid-November to early February of the following year, the “Yokagura,” or night kagura, festival is held where dances dedicated to the gods take place all night to pray for a bountiful harvest and good health. The townspeople dance all night as they offer their prayers to the gods.

Tourism Kagura Presentation

At the Takachiho Shrine, 4 of the most emblematic of the 33 Yokagura dances are being performed every day.

■ Date: Every day 
■ Time: From 20:00 for approx. 1 hour  
■ Admission: 700 yen
■ Place: Kagura-den (sacred dance hall) on the grounds of the Takachiho Shrine 
■ Inquiries: 0982-73-1213 (Takachiho Tourist Association) 

Recommended Spots

Amano-Iwato no Yu

A public bathhouse near the Amano-Iwato Shrine with large baths offering great, sweeping views of the majestic mountains and terraced rice fields.

■ Operating hours: 10:00-22:00
■ Closed on Wednesdays (or the day before if Wednesday is a holiday)
■ Address: 58, Iwato, Takachiho-cho
■ Tel: 0982-74-8288

Amano-Iwato Shrine

This is the shrine where the Amano-Iwato legend takes place at the beginning of Japanese mythology. Here you’ll find the cave where gods are said to have gathered and held discussions. You can also get a tour of the shrine grounds with a priest as your guide.

■ Operating hours: 8:30-17:00
■ Closed on Wednesdays (or the day before if Wednesday is a holiday)
■ Address: 1073-1, Iwato, Takachiho-cho
■ Tel: 0982-74-8239

Akimoto Shrine

The Akimoto Shrine is adorned with flowers in spring and sacred gingko trees in the fall. The Haiden, or hall of worship, faces the Kimon, or Demon Gate (northeastern), direction, and this is said to manifest a great power in the shrine.

■ Address: 6781, Mukoyama, Takachiho-cho

Restaurants

uipan

Enjoy bread made with local fruits and vegetables at this bakery located in downtown Takachiho. An eat-in area is also available.

■ Operating hours: 11:00-18:00
■ Closed on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays
■ Address: 774-12, Mitai, Takachiho-cho
■ Tel: 080-9815-8059

Takachiho Beef Restaurant Nagomi

A restaurant directly managed by the Japan Agricultural Cooperatives where you can enjoy Takachiho beef, the best Wagyu beef in Japan. Enjoy Takachiho beef in 3 different courses: teppanyaki, steak at your table, and Japanese barbecue.

■ Operating hours: Lunch 11:00-14:30,Dinner 17:00-21:00
■ Closed every second Wednesday of the month
■ Address: 1099-1, Mitai, Takachiho-cho
■ Tel: 0982-73-1109

Hotels

Minshuku Kagura no Yakata

A hotel also offering kagura presentations where you can enjoy local Takachiho cuisine and great views from your room.

■Address: 58, Iwato, Takachiho-cho
■Tel: 0982-76-1213
■Rates starting at 5000 yen

Guesthouse Sankaku

A vacant house in town renovated into a guesthouse that is located in the central part of town, a location providing easy access. Here, you are also welcome to bring in ingredients and cook your own meals.

■Address: 10-2, Mitai, Takachiho-cho
■Tel: 050-7128-3911
■Rates starting at 4000 yen

Minshuku Marodo

A village guesthouse rich with nature located deep in the mountains. At this guesthouse, you will be able to relax amongst the cozy wood furnishings that bring warmth to the rooms.

■Address: 6604, Mukoyama, Takachiho-cho
■Tel: 0982-72-7226
■Rates starting at 8500 yen

Guesthouse Marodo

A guesthouse with a retro flair that was opened based on the concept of enabling guests to travel freely.

■Address: 19-13, Mitai, Takachiho-cho
■Tel: 0982-72-7226
■Rates starting at 4000 yen

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