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Takayama City
In fact, the history of the town begins with its carpenters. The skilful carpenters of Hida (as this region is called) are said to have built the Imperial Palace in Kyoto and many temples in that city, as well as in Nara. At the end of the 16th century, Takayama Castle was established by the Kanamori clan and this was the origin of the present town and its culture. During the three hundred years when Takayama was governed by a samurai family, many unique traditions evolved here. And due to the town's location (even today, in winter, some roads to Takayama are impassable because of snow), a remarkable number of old traditions have been preserved. Of these, the best known is the Takayama Festival, which takes place in spring and autumn and is considered to be one of the three most impressive festivals in Japan. Also, Takayama contains old streets and buildings that are remarkably untouched by the passage of time. The district called San-machi Suji, for example, the traditional home of Takayama merchants and sake brewers, has been preserved in almost exactly the same state as 200 or 300 years ago. Here, there are inns, shops and taverns which trace their history back many generations. Within San-machi Suji and other parts of the town there are also a remarkable number of museums devoted to crafts, old lifestyles and local traditions. These have been created specifically for the pleasure of visitors, reflecting one of the most delightful characteristics of Takayama -the warmth of its welcome. The people of Takayama have arranged their city with great care so that it will be full of interest year-round. In summer, autumn, winter or spring, you will find there is so much to do and see in this most hospitable and charming town. Introduction
to Hida Region |
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Set
deep within the mountains of Gifu Prefecture, Takayama has been
called a "little Kyoto". Its temples, shrines, festivals, rivers
and bridges are indeed reminiscent of Kyoto on a smaller scale,
but in some ways Takayama has delights that even Kyoto cannot match.
Takayama is an intimate, leisurely place and even the very center
of the town has a quiet, rustic charm. The region is an agricultural
one, and every day the freshest of vegetables and fruit are brought
by local farmers to Takayama's lively morning market. The surrounding
forests provide fine timber for building traditional houses and
for the simple utensils and lacquerware that have been made in Takayama
for hundreds of years. 
