The Miyagawa Morning Market is our must-visit every time we are in Takayama. There are few places in Japan where you can get this lively farmer's market atmosphere, with many small interesting local shops hawking their goods. Sure there are often popup markets here and there, but few are as accessible and consistent as the Miyagawa Morning Market. The market itself isn't huge, if you walk from one end to the other without stopping, it would take you maybe 10 minutes? But each stall is worth taking a short break to glance at, and beyond just the morning popup market stalls on the side of the river, there are also the permanent shops on the opposite side that offer a wide variety of goods as well.
Combined together, they make a retail-packed experience to check out as you stroll down the streets of Takayama. Our personal favourite is this extremely buttery and delicious croissant that you can get from this small bakery called Andersen. It's simple, yet extremely fluffy and delicious. Nondescript discoveries like this are what makes visiting farmers markets like the Miyagawa Morning Market so fun. On some trips, we've gotten bread to feed the ducks by the river, we've had cherry apples that are the size of a thumb, and we've also had coffee served within a cookie cup. Not all of these shops are always there, but that's the fun of new discoveries whenever you visit the market.
Bonus Tip: You can stroll down to the riverbed from the market area. Depending on the season, you might find large flocks of ducks and large schools of koi (鯉, Carp) in the river as well. It's a really fun and low-key experience in Takayama, and something that feels a bit more like what the locals do as you feed these wild creatures. Many of the shops near the riverbed often sell koi or duck food so that you can feed these creatures. We are personally huge animal lovers, and so it's really fun to watch them gobble up the food.
