Sanmachi-suji (Old Town)

Three parallel Edo-period merchant streets at the heart of old Takayama

Sanmachi-suji — Ichi-no-machi, Ni-no-machi and San-no-machi — are three parallel streets at the heart of Takayama's old town, lined with dark wooden merchant houses from the 17th and 18th centuries. The wide eaves, low-slung windows and lanterns make this one of the best-preserved Edo-period townscapes in Japan.

The street is lined with sake breweries (look for the cedar balls — sugitama — hanging outside each), miso shops, craft galleries, and small cafes. It is busy with tour groups by mid-morning; arrive early or in the evening when the lanterns are lit and most visitors have left.

things to do sight neighbourhood architecture
A story
The dark colour of the houses is not paint but burnt cedar — the planks were charred to make them resistant to fire and to the long Hida winters. The technique is called shou sugi ban and is now imitated across Japan and beyond.