Hida no Sato: A mesmerising traditional village in Gifu Japan

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Hida no Sato is a traditional folk village that has been turned into an open-air museum to display the unique houses from Japan’s rural past. Showcasing over 30 ancient houses from around the prefecture, visitors are able to take a look at how Japanese farmers lived all these years ago.

With many of these houses being brought here from other settlements in 1971 to create this museum, it has since become one of the most popular attractions in the area and brings a multitude of visitors every year.

Each house was built during Japan’s Edo period (1603-1868) and shows exactly what life was like back then for its residents.

Inside the village, you’ll find logging huts, farmhouses and more and most recognisably the tall thatched roofs that often have plants and moss growing on them. These gassho (steep, thatched-roof) houses were brought here specifically from the neighbouring Shirakawago village which has been listed as a UNESCO heritage site and the most famous of all the traditional villages in Japan.

So what can you expect at Hida no Sato?

Country:	Japan
Currency:	Japanese Yen / JPY
Do you need a visa to visit as tourists?	Check here

Don’t forget to get travel insurance to cover you if something bad happens. One company I have personal experience with is Safety Wing. Not everyone needs the same coverage, so make sure you get a personalised quote that suits you and your trip plans.

How to get to Hida no Sato Village

Location: 1 Chome-590 Kamiokamotomachi, Takayama, Gifu 506-0055

If you choose to travel to Hida no Sato independently, you can do so by car and public transport. I’d recommend making sure you have an active eSIM before starting your journey so you can stay connected to the internet and navigate easily even when outside of the cities.

Public transport:

Hida no Sato is located in the town of Takayama in the Gifu Prefecture. The closest train station to the village is Takayama Station.

It takes the following length of time to reach Takayama Station:

• From Nagoya Station – 2 hours 24 minutes
• From Kyoto Station – 4 hours 23 minutes
• From Tokyo Station – 4 hours 35 minutes

From here you can either take a bus for 10 minutes to the village or walk for 30 minutes instead.

If you opt to take the bus, there is the “Sarubobo Bus” which runs every 30 minutes. You will need cash for this journey (at the time time writing this bus ride cost 100 JPY (0.52p GBP)).

By car:

Travelling by car is certainly the easiest transportation method as it allows you flexibility without needing to rely on train or bus timetables. You’ll be able to take a more direct route, travel at your pace and stop at your own leisure.

If you want to drive you can easily rent a vehicle in advance from either Rental Cars or Klook Rentals – I have used both and had good experiences every time.

Please note: You will need a full driving licence and an International Driving Permit to drive in Japan

When driving to Hida no Sato village it’ll take:

• 4 hours 45 minutes from Tokyo
• 2 hours and 5 minutes from Nagoya
• 3 hours and 30 minutes from Kyoto

Opening Times & Admission

Opening Hours
The Hida no Sato Folk village is open between 8:30 am and 5 pm every day.

The village is open on weekdays and weekends and typically doesn’t close on any day unless it is an emergency.

Admission Cost
The cost of entry is 700 JPY (3.61 GBP) and 300 JPY (1.55 GBP) to park your car in the on-site parking.

People usually spend an average of two hours in the Hida no Sato folk village.

Want to visit some more traditional Japanese Villages? Check these out:

• Saiko Iyashi no Sato Nemba: Traditional Village in Japan
• Tsumago Juku: Japan’s best-preserved postal town from the Edo period
• Gero Onsen Gassho Village: A rural village from the past
• Shirakawa go
• Kayabuki No Sato: thatched-roof traditional village

When to Visit

Hida no Sato village is open year-round and can be enjoyed during multiple seasons. Depending on the type of experience you are looking for, depends on what season might be the most suitable for your trip.

If you visit during springtime you’ll get to see a few cherry blossom trees around the pond. This is one of the most popular periods for visiting many outdoor attractions in Japan due to the popularity of the Sakura season.

Visiting during summer you’ll see bright green trees and flowers blooming across the entire park. The temperatures during the summer months can be hot and unpredictable, but this is typically the most popular season to visit.

The autumn season brings maple leaves and shades of orange and red around the pond. Generally speaking, many tourists travel to Japan during autumn as many temples also have maple trees in their gardens.

Finally, the winter season brings cold weather and snow. Although there’s no guarantee of exactly how early the snow falls each year, it is a beautiful white wonderland and practically picture-perfect once it does arrive. One of the tours below runs specifically during the winter season and oftentimes you’ll get to enjoy some illuminations throughout the Hida no Sato park.

Guided Tours to Hida no Sato

If the idea of travelling to Hida no Sato village independently is too daunting, you can join a guided tour instead. Below I have listed three guided tours for you to take a look at which all travel to the traditional village.

The best part about a guided tour is that the stress of booking the itinerary gets

Please note that the tours depart from different places, so you should double-check that you have selected a place you know you can get to before booking.

• Admission pass & round-trip bus – departs from TAKAYAMA
• 1-day immersive folk village tour – departs from TAKAYAMA
• 2-day tour to Hida no sato & Shirakawa-go – departs from OSAKA (winter until March 2025 only)

What to Expect at Hida no Sato Village

Inside this traditional folk village, the buildings of Hida no Sato have all been preserved and are continuously maintained to a high standard. This protection keeps the properties in great condition in order to educate visitors on the past.

You can explore the inside of most buildings, in which you will typically find wooden farming equipment and living utensils. Plus, you’ll notice traditional tatami floors that have become a staple in even the modern homes of Japan.

You’ll notice that the fireplaces inside each building are

Accommodation options near Hida no Sato

If you need somewhere to stay while visiting the Hida no Sato folk village, you have a few options available to you in the way of accommodation. Since the village is located in Takayama which is a fully functioning town, there is something suitable for all travel types and budgets.

If you’re a backpacker or solo traveller hoping to stay in a hostel, I’d recommend Sakura Guest House. With free parking, washing facilities and a cosy living area, this is a budget-friendly accommodation that is great for those who want to stay locally with the opportunity to meet other travellers.

If you’d like more flexibility on choosing the right accommodation type for your trip, I’d recommend using Booking.com as they have everything from guesthouses, hotels, resorts and more so there’s no doubt you’ll find the right place for you.

• Accommodation in Takayama

Please be aware that many accommodations accept cash only so make sure you get cash out before arriving.

When you need to transfer money or check exchange rates during your overseas trip, consider using Wise. They have competitive rates and make exchanging foreign funds easy. I’ve been using them since 2015.

Have you been to Hida no Sato Folk village? What did you think?