While going to all the different various tourist landmarks can be fun, it can also be nice just to take a leisurely stroll around the town of Takachiho. Why not walk the alleys of the town while stopping by the monuments and historical sites along the way?

Here, we’ll be introducing you to a leisurely walking course for exploring this mythological town, recommended by the locals themselves.

Recommendations for a leisurely stroll around the retro townscape

The Bus Center is the main hub of public transportation in Takachiho. It is located alongside the Tourist Information Center, where you can get free pamphlets and maps.

Click here for directions to the Bus Center

The intersection past the top of the hill in front of the Bus Center. Turn left here towards Takachiho Gorge.

There are a number of mythological monuments dotted along the main Takachiho Town street, between Kushifuru Shrine and Takachiho Shrine.

There are a total of 33 of these unique monuments, and it can be fun just to walk around looking for them.

Ebisu-sama and Daikoku-sama are enshrined near the Shiroyama Intersection. Pray here and when you’re done, turn right here and walk up the hill.

This is one of the spots recommended by locals. Turn left at the intersection about 100 meters beyond Shiroyama Intersection, and you’ll be able to look out over the entire Takachiho townscape.

The alley has a sleepy, relaxed feel to it.

At the end of the alley is Kihachizuka. As you can see, a fun way to explore Takachiho is just wandering around trying to find the historical sites and shrines scattered about the town.

There are also stylish cafés and general stores hidden away in the alley.

Pray at Takachiho Shrine before making your way back

Keep walking down the back alley, and you will find yourself in front of Takachiho Shrine, a must-visit Takachiho location.

Click here for directions to Takachiho Shrine

Go around to the front of the shrine and enter through the torii gate.

We also recommend the Meoto Sugi (Husband and Wife Cedars), Shizume Ishi (Calming Power Stone, that is believed to have been the stone introduced in the famous anime Suzume), and other power spots located on the grounds of Takachiho Shrine, which is dedicated to numerous gods.

After praying at the shrine, walk back along the main street to get back to the bus center.

Buy some souvenirs and get some food on-the-go

Walk along the street lined with cafés and shops, and you will see Gamadase Market to you right. We recommend this market for buying souvenirs and getting food on-the-go.

Click here for directions to the Gamadase market

You can’t go wrong with Takachiho souvenirs at Kihachi-no-Kura.

The shop’s shelves are lined with Takachiho local and specialty products, so take your time to look around.

Next to Kihachi-no-Kura is a meat center that sells Japan’s best wagyu, Takachiho beef. You can buy it there and get it shipped to your home.

For getting food on the go, we recommend the “Takachiho Beef Bun,” which is made with lots of Takachiho beef. The umami flavor of Japan’s best wagyu – the Takachiho beef, inside the rice-flour bun, makes it an absolute delicacy.

Our other recommendation is the “Honeycomb Soft-Serve.” It consists of soft-serve made with raw milk from Miyazaki Prefecture, topped with honeycomb.

It’s something you can only get here!

Conclusion

While it can be nice to go around all of the tourist landmarks, just walking around town can be a great way to discover places you wouldn’t be able to find in a guidebook.

The walking course described above can be completed in about an hour. Why not take a leisurely stroll around Takachiho Town, with its air of history and mythology?