Takayama is a city located in Gifu, Japan.The city is fairly old, dating back to the Jomon period. Takayama is best known for its background in carpentry. It is believed carpenters from Takayama worked on the Imperial Palace in Kyoto and on many of the temples in Kyoto and Nara. The town and its culture, as they exist today, took shape at the end of the 16th century, when the Kanamori clan built Takayama Castle. About a hundred years later the city came under the rule of the Tokugawa shogunate. However, the high altitude and separation from other areas of Japan kept the area fairly isolated, allowing Takayama to develop its own culture over about a 300 year period.

Attractions

Mount Norikura, a dormant volcano that is 3,026 meters (9,928 ft.) tall is located just east of Takayama. A bus runs up to a point near the summit.

• Shin-Hotaka Ropeway and Okuhida Spa Resort. There is a 3,200 meter ropeway offering great views of the Northern Alps.
• Old Private Houses. There are a variety of old homes in the heart of Takayama that are neat cultural artifacts.
• Takayama has a nice morning market near the river in the center of town.
• The Hida-no-Sato folk village is also nearby.
• Takayama is the home of a famous Shinto festival and the floats used during the festival can be found in the Takayama Yatai Kaikan (Takayama Festival Float Exhibition Hall). Nearby is the Sakurayama Nikkō Kan, an exhibit of 1/10th scale replicas of Nikkō's famous Toshogu shrine.
• Takayama-shi Kyodo-kan is a local history museum with handicrafts and traditional items.
• Takayama Jinya is a historical government house that has been restored to its earlier design and is open for tours.
• Kusakabe Folk Museum is a local museum in an old merchant's home.
• Hida-Kokubunji Temple is the oldest structure in Takayama. It has a 3-level pagoda and stands beside a gingko tree that is over 1,200 years old.
• Ankokuji Temple and Storehouse is an ancient structure from 1408 that is recognized as a national treasure.
• Hida Takayama Kur Alp (Hida Takayama Spa Land) is a large public bath and swimming area.