Hida Kokubunji Temple is Takayama’s oldest temple and a worthwhile stop for travellers exploring the town on foot. It sits only a short walk from Takayama Station and the old merchant streets, making it easy to include at the beginning or end of a self-guided stroll through the town.

The temple was originally founded in the 8th century as part of a nationwide network of provincial temples established during the Nara period. Although the buildings have been rebuilt over time, Hida Kokubunji Temple still has a strong sense of history and is one of the best places in Takayama to appreciate the town’s deeper Buddhist heritage.

The most striking feature is the elegant three-storey pagoda, which stands within the temple grounds and gives the site a classic old-town atmosphere. Nearby is an ancient ginkgo tree, said to be more than 1,200 years old, which is especially beautiful in autumn when its leaves turn golden yellow.

The temple grounds are compact and peaceful, so it doesn’t take long to visit, but it’s a lovely contrast to the busier Miyagawa Morning Market and Sanmachi Suji historic district. It’s particularly good in the early morning, when the town is quieter and the temple feels calm and local.