 For high school, Takahashi had his sights set on playing for Yokohama High School but received an invitation to play for Tokai University Kofu High School by coach Junichi Izumi, which he accepted.Ryo Watanabe, currently of the Nippon Ham Fighters, played at the same school but was two years Takahashi's junior.In spring of his first year of high school, he was deployed as a third-baseman and 4th in the batting line-up, becoming a regular for the team.