Sanmachi Suji
Sanmachi Suji is the core area of Furui Machinami Old Street in Takayama of Japan, attracting tourists with its distinctive architecture from the Edo Period (1603-1868). Located on the east bank of the Miya River, Sanmachi Suji has been a commercial hub where merchants have run various businesses since ancient times. Now, residential houses and commercial shops are intertwined along the three streets: Kamiichino-machi, Kaminino-machi, and Kamisanno-machi. Once you step onto the streets, you will feel like walking back in time.
The Way Leading to Sanamchi Suji
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What You Can Do in Sanmachi Suji
Appreciate Ancient Buildings in the Edo Period
Compared with the commonly seen skyscrapers built of reinforced concretes in modern cities, houses in Sanmachi Suji preserve traditional Japanese style: the wooden doors, square latticed windows, grey stone walls, and dark sloping roofs, all of which are reminiscent of the Edo Period. Since its well-preserved ancient buildings are similar to those of Kyoto, Sanmachi Suji is reputed as “Little Kyoto” and is entitled by the Japanese Government as “An Nationally Recognized Important Historical Building Preservation Area”. Along the streets, there is a long and narrow ditch where clear water flows; so be careful of your steps.|
The Dark Buildings on both Sides
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Taste Delicious Hida Beef and Sake
1. Hida Beef
Hida beef is the must-eat cuisine if you come to Sanmachi Suji. Due to its high quality in marbling, luster, color, texture, and smell, Hida beef is seen as the beef of the highest quality in Japan. Here, Hida beef is cooked in various ways. For example, you can choose beef grilled skewers, beef suchi or beef croquettes.|
One Hida Beef Sushi Restaurant
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2. Sake and Sake Breweries
Various empty sake barrels sitting on both sides of the streets have become a symbol of Sanmachi Suji. Takayama is famous for its sake brewing culture, and there are several sake breweries in Sanmachi Suji. You can walk into any one of these breweries and enjoy a cup of unique sake. Usually there is a ball made of cedar leaves hanging on the storefront, from which you can infer the size of the brewery.
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If you are interested in how sake is brewed, then go to Yoshijima Heritage House about 10 minutes’ walk away from Sanmachi Suji. It was built in 1907 and once ran by the famous sake brewer Yoshijima family. There, you can not only learn about traditional brewery techniques but also appreciate traditional Japanese architecture. Apart from beams, the door and window are both made of wood; the translucent paper enables sunlight to shine through and illuminate the interior. The House has now been listed as a National Important Cultural Treasure by the Japanese government.
Enjoy a Pulled Rickshaw Ride
By taking a pulled rickshaw, one traditional vehicle in Japan, you will gain some experience with how ancient Japanese life was. You can appreciate the traditional buildings on both sides with the slow moving of the rickshaw while enjoying the blowing of a gentle breeze.
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Open Time
24 hours from Monday to FridayMost shops usually open at 9:00 a.m. and close around 4:30 p.m. or 5:00 p.m.
Ticket Price
It’s free to visit the historical district.
How to Get to Sanmachi Suji
Take Hida 17 Limited Express Takayama, get off at Takayama Station, and then you can get to Sanmachi Suji in 11 minutes’ walkNearby Attractions
1. Takayama Showa Kan Museum
This is a private museum trying to display the life scenes of Japanese from 1920 to 1980. The museum exhibits various items and buildings, such as posters of films released in the last century, the once popular cameras and motorcycles, taverns, cinemas, canteens, and post offices, all of which are reminiscent of the last century. Takayama Showa Kan Museum is not far from Sanmachi Suji, and you can walk there in five minutes.2. Takayama Jinya
Takayama Jinja was once a government office and a rice storehouse. It now works as a museum, displaying various office rooms to visitors, like the government office, official business room, guest room, and living room. In addition, the museum exhibits old maps, historical town plans, and official documents belonging to former local government leaders. You can walk to the museum from Sanmachi Suji in 5 minutes, as it is about 250 meters (275 yards) away.