The old centre of Hida town is an underrated and less popular attraction than many similar places in this region, and hence seems less visited than other heritage sites. There are relatively few tourist shops, restaurants or commercial operations along the old streets, which are tranquil (when we visited on a May afternoon), attractive, and beautifully maintained. There is a lot of history here and without the hustle and bustle of mass-market tourists it is much easier to appreciate. Small canals line the residential streets, and temples and shrines, sake distillers, candle-makers, warehouses and museums are scattered here and there to add to the ambience.

If you are driving, there is free parking opposite the Hidashi Bunkakoryu Center just north of the train tracks, and the station is also just a short walk from Shirakabe Dozogai Street if you come by train (15 minutes from Takayama I believe).

I enjoyed wandering this district more than the old Takayama town centre just because of the peace and quiet and lack of commercial development. Highly recommended.