Takayama street food: mitarashi dango and miso skewers

Takayama street food is among the tastiest and most affordable in rural Japan. Two bites are absolutely compulsory on any stroll through Sanmachi-suji or the Miyagawa market. The first is mitarashi dango: glutinous rice balls skewered on bamboo sticks, lightly grilled over charcoal and bathed in sweet caramelised soy sauce; the price is around 100-150 ¥ per skewer. The second is the tofu and konnyaku skewers with red miso paste (dengaku): a savoury and comforting bite, especially in the cold months. Other essentials are the smoked oysters in soy sauce (available at the winter markets), the hot non-alcoholic amazake sake and the miso ice cream. Stalls selling these products are scattered throughout Sanmachi-suji, the Miyagawa market and the street leading to Hida no Sato. The experience of walking through the historic streets with a dango in hand is one of the most photogenic in Japan. Each piece costs between 100 and 300 ¥.