Gujo

Compared to other itineraries that only visit Takayama and Gassho-zukuri villages, this trip included Gujo Hachiman, thus slightly reducing the time spent in Takayama and Gassho-zukuri villages. However, for travelers who want to see as many sights as possible in one trip, it's still excellent value for money. Overall, the travel time was reasonable. Our guide, Xiao Xu, although seemingly a novice, did a good job of highlighting the key points. In Gujo Hachiman, you can choose to climb the old castle or have a guide lead you through the old streets. I recommend the old castle; it's about a 15-minute walk uphill and offers excellent views overlooking the entire town. Entering the castle itself is optional; if time is limited, climbing to the top for photos is still worthwhile. Takayama is mainly for meals, but due to the Japanese holidays, it was incredibly crowded. I suggest spending time strolling through the old streets; there are many quiet restaurants where you can enjoy a drink for 100 yen – don't miss them! For Gassho-zukuri villages, I highly recommend going to the observation deck; the view is absolutely worth it. As for that very popular pudding shop, the long queues make it a place you can skip; it's photogenic, but the taste didn't leave a particularly strong impression. In summary, this is a well-planned itinerary with plenty of sights to see, a steady pace, and is quite cost-effective.