5 Recommended Sightseeing Spots to Make the Most of the Okuhida Area
Nestled among the 3,000-meter-high peaks of the Northern Alps lies the Okuhida Hot Spring Resort. In addition to hot springs with abundant water flow, the area offers numerous tourist spots where you can enjoy breathtaking natural scenery and unique local experiences.From mysterious limestone caves to a bear farm where you can take photos with baby bears, and a world above the clouds accessible via Japan’s only double-decker gondola, we’ll introduce the highlights that will enrich your trip to Okuhida. Venture a little beyond the hot spring town to experience the unique charms of each season.
1Shin-Hotaka Ropeway
Ride Japan’s only double-decker gondola to the Sky Deck
A popular spot where you can easily enjoy a stroll in the sky up to a world above the clouds at an elevation of 2,156 meters. From Shin-Hotaka Onsen Station, take the first and second ropeways in succession to reach Nishihotaka-guchi Station, the gateway to climbing the Northern Alps.The second ropeway features double-decker gondolas—the only ones of their kind in Japan. As you step into the all-glass gondola, the sense of exhilaration soars as the Northern Alps loom right at eye level.
Awaiting you on the rooftop of Nishi-Hotaka-guchi Station, the ropeway’s terminus, is a 360-degree panoramic view. The majestic Hotaka Mountain Range towers before your eyes, while a deep valley stretches out at your feet. You can take in the magnificent scenery, which has been awarded two stars in the “Michelin Green Guide Japan.”
Enjoy sweeping panoramic views of the Northern Alps and savor local cuisine
After soaking in the breathtaking views from the spacious rooftop deck, we recommend taking a stroll through the adjacent “Chō no Mori” (Summit Forest). There are spots where you can relax while surrounded by nature, such as a wooden deck nestled in virgin forest, a counter overlooking the ropeway’s departures and arrivals, and a terrace for resting.
At “CAFE GOKAN” on the second floor, you’ll find a wide variety of Instagram-worthy menu items, including hot sandwiches made with local ingredients, “Sea of Clouds Cocoa” (which uses whipped cream to resemble a sea of clouds), and rice flour churros shaped like the character for “Summit” (Summit). Here, you can spend a moment that satisfies both your heart and your stomach while taking in the views from above the clouds.
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Be sure to stop by Shirakaba-daira Station, the transfer point between the No. 1 and No. 2 ropeways. There’s a popular bakery known for its gondola-shaped bread, a shop selling original merchandise, and a foot bath where you can soak while gazing at the ropeways.
- Shin Hotaka Ropeway
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Shin Hotaka Onsen, Okuhida Hot Spring Village, Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture MAP
Approximately 60 minutes by car from JR Takayama Station
Take a bus from JR Takayama Station (Takayama Nobi Bus Center) and get off at Shin Hotaka Ropeway stop.
The first bus up from Shin Hotaka Onsen Station departs at 8:30 a.m. and the last bus departs at 4:00 p.m.
Nishi-Hotaka-guchi Station: first down at 8:45, last down at 16:45
No holidays *Service may be suspended in stormy weather or due to maintenance.
Round trip ticket for the 1st and 2nd ropeway: Adults (from junior high school) 3,800 yen, Children (from 6 years old) 1,900 yen, etc.
0578-89-2252
Charged
Business hours (cable car schedule) vary by season.
The foot bath is currently undergoing renovations until December 15, 2026.
2Fukuchi Hot Spring Morning Market
It’s like stepping back in time to the Showa era. A retro morning market nestled in the mountains
This morning market, held in Fukuji Onsen—one of the Okuhida Hot Spring Resorts—has been running since 1994. Inside the building, Showa-era posters and records are packed tightly together, creating a nostalgic atmosphere that makes you feel as if you’ve stepped back in time.
Since the morning market was originally launched with the aim of “connecting farmers and customers,” the most popular items are seasonal vegetables grown by farmers in Okuhida. Freshly harvested vegetables, sourced by the owner the day before, are lined up at the storefront by 6:30 a.m.The freshness is so highly regarded that chefs from izakayas and inns in the hot spring town sometimes come to buy them. In spring, wild mountain vegetables like koshiabura and tara-no-me catch the eye; in summer, juicy tomatoes and the local specialty, Sukuna pumpkins; and in fall, wild mushrooms are a sight to behold.
Pick up local seasonal vegetables and traditional preserved foods—like dried daikon radish—as souvenirs
During times when vegetables are scarce, be sure to check out the “kanboshi daikon” (winter-dried daikon radish), which has been traditionally made in the Okuhida Yamanomura area for generations. This preserved food is made by slicing daikon radish into rounds, boiling them, skewering them on sticks, and hanging them under the eaves to dry during the depths of winter. It’s said to have an exceptional flavor, with the natural sweetness of the daikon concentrated.One of the joys of the morning market is asking the shop owners for tips on how to use these items and for recommended recipes.
In addition, the market buildings are lined with food items such as Hooba miso and pickles, as well as folk crafts and woodwork. Here, you can discover the finest products of Okuhida.
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Look for the “Morning Market” flag and the old tin sign. The retro items were apparently collected by the shop owner’s father. The walls are covered with photos of Showa-era idols and actors, allowing you to soak up the nostalgic atmosphere.
- Fukuchi Hot Spring Morning Market
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- 110 Fukuchi, Okuhida Hot Spring Area, Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture MAP
- Approx. 55 minutes by car from JR Takayama Station; approx. 10 minutes by car from Hirayu Hot Spring
- Take a bus from JR Takayama Station (Takayama Nohi Bus Center) or Hirayu Hot Spring; get off at “Fukuchi Onsen” and walk about 1 minute
- 6:30 a.m.–11:00 a.m.; from mid-November to mid-April, 8:30 a.m.–
- No holidays
- 0578-89-3600
- Free of charge
3Okuhida Bear Farm
Charming bears born and raised on the ranch
Since its opening in 1976 (Showa 51), this zoo—dedicated exclusively to bears—has been raising Japanese black bears born in the surrounding area for many years.The current residents are third- and fourth-generation bears born and raised on this ranch; with a total of 131 bears, the park boasts the largest population of Asian black bears in Japan (as of June 2026).
As you stroll through the zones divided by age and gender, you can observe the gentle, people-friendly bears going about their daily lives. When you hold out a biscuit as a treat, they’ll raise their paws or stand on two legs to catch it skillfully. Their endearing antics captivate visitors.
A rare experience to take photos with bear cubs
At “Koguma Lodge,” from late April through the beginning of the following year, you can enjoy taking commemorative photos with cubs born between January and February of that year who are less than one year old.When you sit on a bench, a staff member will place a cub on your lap and take photos for you with your smartphone or camera. It’s a special interaction time where you can even gently pet the cub while it’s being fed.
Finally, head to the “Forest Gift Shop.” It offers a wide selection of bear-themed goods, such as stuffed animals and bear bells, making it the perfect place to pick out souvenirs.
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If you take a commemorative photo with a baby bear, you’ll receive a card featuring the bear’s photo, name, and profile. Since the names and photos of the bears are displayed in each zone of the park, many visitors reportedly return years later to see how the baby bear they once held has grown.
- Okuhida Bear Farm
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- 2435 Ichigegane, Okuhida Hot Spring Area, Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture MAP
- Approx. 50 minutes by car from JR Takayama Station; approx. 6 minutes by car from Hirayu Hot Spring
- Take a bus from JR Takayama Station (Takayama Nohi Bus Center) or Hirayu Hot Spring, get off at “Kuma Bokujo-mae,” and walk about 20 minutes
- April–November: 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (last admission at 4:30 p.m.); December–March: 9:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (last admission at 4:00 p.m.)
- April–November: Open daily; December–March: Closed on Wednesdays
- 1,400 yen for junior high school students and older; 700 yen for ages 3–elementary school students; “Commemorative Photo with a Cub” 1,000 yen per group
- 0578-89-2761
- Free of charge
- The “Commemorative Photo with the Little Bear” session is held only from around April 20 through October 31 on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, and from November 1 through the New Year holidays on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM and 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM
4Hida Grand Limestone Cave
A mysterious world shaped by the passage of time and the grandeur of nature
Among the approximately 80 tourist limestone caves in Japan, this one is located at the highest elevation—about 900 meters. Discovered in 1965 (Showa 40) by Sotokichi Ohashi, it features a mysterious underground space stretching approximately 800 meters in total.As you step inside the cave, you’ll be enveloped by cool air and the sound of dripping water. Countless icicle-like stalactites hang from the ceiling, and a distinctive feature of this cave is the abundance of delicate, white stalactites known as “straws.”In the “Night View of Ryugu,” the area with the highest ceiling in the cave, you can enjoy a fantastical scene created by the interplay of groundwater illuminated by blue lights and pure white stalactites.
Enjoy the thrill of exploration in an underground world adorned with stalactites
There are various highlights to see, such as helictites—stalactites that twist and hang irregularly—and large cracks in the rock formed by cave coral. You’ll also find stalactites with unique names, such as “National Diet Building” and “Ten-Gallon Hat,” inspired by their shapes.
Taking advantage of the cool interior environment, which stays around 12°C year-round, the cave also houses cellars where sake and shochu are aged. It is said that long-term storage at low temperatures results in a mellow flavor.
As you wind your way through the twisting passages and climb up and down narrow staircases, you’ll feel as if you’re exploring the depths of the earth. It’s a moment to feel the romance of ancient times amidst the natural beauty sculpted by the passage of time.
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Walking through Caves 1 through 3 takes about 20 to 30 minutes. Another great feature is that you can explore the caves with your pets. The “Ice Valley,” where the mountainside next to the caves is covered in bluish-white ice during winter, is also a sight to behold on the way back.
- Hida Grand Limestone Cave
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- 1147 Hinomen, Niukawa-cho, Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture MAP
- Approx. 25 minutes by car from JR Takayama Station; approx. 25 minutes by car from Hirayu Hot Spring
- Take a bus from JR Takayama Station (Takayama Nohi Bus Center) or Hirayu Hot Spring, get off at “Shōnyūdō-guchi,” and take the free shuttle bus for about 3 minutes
- April–October: 8:00 AM–5:30 PM (last admission at 5:00 PM); January–March: 9:00 AM–4:30 PM (last admission at 4:00 PM)
- December 31 and January 1
- Adults: 1,100 yen; Elementary and junior high school students: 550 yen
- 0577-79-2211
- Free of charge
5Hirayu Great Waterfall
Experience the majestic waterfall cascading from a height of 64 meters up close
Located at an elevation of approximately 1,400 meters in Hirayu Hot Spring within the Chubu Mountainous National Park, this is a famous waterfall. It has been selected as one of Japan’s Top 100 Waterfalls and is also counted among the Three Great Waterfalls of Hida.Boasting a drop of 64 meters and a width of 6 meters, the waterfall is a dynamic sight, with the roar of the water echoing through the surroundings and spray dancing in the air. During the snowmelt season, the sight of the water cascading down in such abundance is particularly spectacular.From spring through fall, visitors can find directions to the waterfall viewing plaza by car, and a short walk along the trail takes them close to the base of the falls—another major attraction. Here, you can experience the breathtaking scenery and the raw power of nature firsthand.
From fresh spring greenery to autumn foliage and even icefalls—admire the waterfall’s ever-changing beauty throughout the seasons
From spring through summer, the area is enveloped in lush, fresh greenery, and a cool breeze carrying mist blows through. In autumn, maple, beech, and birch trees change color, and the vivid gradations of autumn foliage add a colorful touch to the waterfall.In winter, the severe cold causes the surface of the waterfall to freeze, creating massive icicles. During the “Hirayu Otaki Ice Festival,” the area around the frozen waterfall is illuminated, creating a magical scene. This is one of Okuhida’s most iconic scenic spots, offering a different charm with each passing season.
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When you get out of your car at the Takimi Observation Plaza, the first thing that hits your ears is the thunderous sound of the waterfall. You can stroll along the walking trail while enjoying the fresh forest air. The best time to see the autumn foliage is typically from early to mid-October. At the Hirayu Otaki Frozen Waterfall Festival held in late February, you can enjoy a spectacular display of the frozen waterfall and fireworks.
- Hirayu Great Falls
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- Hirayu, Okuhida Hot Spring Resort, Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture MAP
- Approx. 50 minutes from JR Takayama Station by car
- Take a bus from JR Takayama Station (Takayama Nobi Bus Center) and get off at "Otaki-mae Campsite" and walk about 20 minutes.
- 0578-89-2614（Okuhida Hot Spring Village Tourist Association)
- Free of charge
MAP
- Hoshino Resorts facilities nearby
Local Guide who was in charge of this article
- Yui Takayama I love exploring cafes and traveling
Hoshino Resorts KAI Okuhida
Okuhida Hot Spring Village, Gifu Prefecture
Located in Okuhida Hot Spring Village, which boasts one of the largest hot springs in Japan and is nestled in the bosom of the Northern Alps, this modern inn features beautiful natural woodworking by Hida wood craftsmen.
Access by bus Take a local bus from JR Takayama Station, get off at Hirayu Bus Terminal, and walk 3 minutes.
- Example of Accommodation Rates
- 1 person per night From 21,000 yen