Miyagawa Morning Market, Gifu Prefecture

This picturesque mountain town offers two morning markets for the price of one—the only catch being the early start! While the historic town of Takayama in Gifu Prefecture may be better known for its impressive spring and autumn festivals, its day-to-day offerings are a charmingly local affair.

Lining the banks of the Miyagawa River, the Miyagawa Morning Market is a popular spot for locally grown produce and homemade goods. It’s best suited to early risers, with stalls opening from 7 a.m. and wrapping up by midday. Although there is a slightly later start time in winter, it’s still a great way to squeeze in some sightseeing before heading off to explore the wider area.

The town’s morning market was originally based at Takayama Betsuin Temple, but after a few moves over the years it settled at the current riverside location in the 1960s. Feeling like a natural home, the riverside offers a scenic spot for a morning stroll and is especially beautiful in spring.

Friendly conversations and just-harvested apples set the tone for a relaxed morning at the market (Photo courtesy of Hida Takayama Tourism and Convention Bureau)

Visitors can browse a lively mix of seasonal stalls—numbering up to around 40 at peak times—alongside permanent local shops, stretching approximately 350 meters between Kaji Bridge and Yayoi Bridge. Alongside fresh produce, you’ll find a variety of handcrafted items, including local Sarubobo dolls (traditional folk charms associated with good luck) and Ichii Ittobori—wood carvings made using specialized chisels—along with a tempting mix of fresh and preserved foods to enjoy on the spot or take home. Local favorites include Hida beef croquettes, pickled red turnips, midarashi dango (grilled rice dumplings glazed in soy sauce), and Owara Tamaten, marshmallow-like cubes grilled to order.

A freshly grilled skewer of midarashi dango, glazed in soy sauce and still warm from the fire (Photo courtesy of Hida Takayama Tourism and Convention Bureau)

A short walk from the Miyagawa Morning Market, crossing the town’s iconic red bridge, brings you to Takayama Jinya. The Jinya-mae Morning Market takes place in front of this historic former government outpost, and while it has grown over time, it has remained true to its humble roots. Its origins date back to around 1820, when a mulberry market linked to the local silk industry was held nearby, later evolving into a farmers’ market for homegrown vegetables, flowers and handmade goods. To this day, only farmers are permitted to run stalls, giving the market a more rustic, traditional feel than its riverside counterpart. Here, visitors can discover a range of mountain vegetables and lesser-known produce, such as potato stems and carrot leaves, alongside homemade pickles and traditional sweets, all carefully packaged to take home as simple, local keepsakes of Takayama.

A classic gassho-zukuri farmhouse framed by bright green rice paddies at the Hida Folk Village (Photo courtesy of Hida Takayama Tourism and Convention Bureau)

The markets’ early start times leave plenty of the day free to explore the rest of Takayama, a small town with a surprisingly rich history. The Sanmachi Traditional Building Preservation Area is just a stone’s throw away, known for its beautifully preserved wooden latticework and its long-standing sake-brewing tradition, which remains active today. For a closer look at the region’s iconic gassho-zukuri farmhouses, the Hida Folk Village is a short bus ride away and features over 30 carefully restored examples of local architecture. If your visit doesn’t coincide with one of Takayama’s celebrated seasonal festivals, the Floats Exhibition Hall at Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine offers a chance to admire the towering, intricately decorated floats up close. Together, these nearby sights make the morning market a natural starting point for discovering the town’s many layers of history and culture.

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