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Yume Kojo Hida is a fun, hands-on senbei-making experience just a short walk from Takayama’s old town—a perfect family activity with tasty results.

Five black, metal cooking stoves with individual seating and red-cushioned stools are lined up against a wooden wall at Yume Kojo Hida. Cooking utensils and ingredients are placed on each station.

A Fun, Flavorful Stop for All Ages

We love finding interactive food experiences while traveling—and Yume Kojo Hida (夢工場飛騨) was a hit with the whole family. Just 15 minutes on foot from JR Takayama Station, this workshop lets you grill your own senbei (煎餅), the classic Japanese rice cracker.

Senbei are a savory snack often flavored with soy sauce. While you’ll find these crunchy crackers in shops all over Japan, here you get to make them from scratch—and that’s what makes it special.

Shaping, Grilling, and Tasting Your Own Senbei

A person uses metal tongs to hold a round cracker over a hot grill inside an oven at Yume Kojo Hida. A handwritten sign in Japanese is attached to the oven’s side.

After a quick intro to the history of senbei, we sat down at the long row of grills. The staff gave clear instructions and then came the fun part—grilling the rice dough until it puffed up and turned golden brown.

Each cracker takes just a minute or two to cook, but flipping it at the right moment takes a bit of practice. Our kids had fun watching their senbei sizzle and brown—and even more fun tasting them.

What to Know Before You Go

A small white building in Japan, Yume Kojo Hida, features multiple colorful Japanese signs around the entrance, a gray door with windows, a small plant, and a wooden statue near the door.

Yume Kojo Hida is located near the Kusakabe Heritage House, making it an easy stop during a walking tour of Takayama’s old town. Reservations are not required, but we recommend them during weekends or holidays.

How to Get to Yume Kojo Hida

On Foot

  • From JR Takayama Station, exit the east side and walk north until you reach Route 158. Continue straight on Route 158 and cross the Miyagawa River. After crossing the bridge, turn left and follow the road along the river until you cross Enako River. Make a right and the shop will be on your right.
  • Total travel time: 15 minutes on foot.

Pro Tip: Plan your visit right after exploring the Kusakabe Heritage House—they’re just a few minutes apart.

Should You Make a Stop at Yume Kojo Hida?

Definitely. If you’re looking for something different in Takayama, this is a great choice. It’s hands-on, educational, and just plain fun. Our kids loved it, and the fresh-grilled senbei made for a delicious reward. It also doesn’t take too much time, so try to squeeze it into your Takayama itinerary.

More to Explore Nearby

After making your own senbei at Yume Kojo Hida, explore more hands-on experiences and local sights around Takayama:

  • Hida Folk Village – Walk among thatched-roof farmhouses and learn about traditional rural life in the Hida region.
  • Takayama Jinya – Explore this Edo-era government building and its historical exhibits, just a short drive away.
  • Kusakabe Heritage House – Step into the refined lifestyle of wealthy merchants from centuries past.
  • Takayama Old Town – Shop, sip sake, and soak in the atmosphere of preserved Edo-period streets.