Takayama

Takayama ~ The little Kyoto of Hida ~


The superficie of Takayama is large as Tokyo but most of the land is mountainous so the inhabitable area is limited and the town counts about  90 000 inhabitants. A large section of the population is located in the center of the city not far from Takayama station. The place is situated west of Hida mountain chain (Northern japanese alps) including the city of Hida, Gero and Shirakawa-go. Into this wide area, the center of Takayama is called “Hida-Takayama”. Takayama developed being a transit of the route from Nagoya to Hokuriku, but snow falls and a lack of infrastructures have limited modern life. Consequently, the town preserved the old atmosphere of Edo period with its ancient merchant houses. It is registered in the area of conservation of traditional building. Formerly, Takayama was the starting point for mountaineer who headed for different trails and summits, but its beauty became well-known by word of mouth and it is today a great tourist site. Takayama is a provincial town but it was also a former land that belonged to the shogun Tokugawa, so the cultural asset regarding Edo period is important. The city is adorned with elegance, adding a touch of grace to the landscape. It is also called “little Kyoto” and is nowadays a well-visited site.
 


Tradition and Culture in Hida Takayama

As mentioned above, Takayama preserves the Edo period traditions, having been spared from modern life. Thanks to the rich natural resources, the Hida region developed the wood processing industry. The craftsmen are named “Hida no Takumi” (Hida’s craftsmen) due to their virtue of technical excellence. They were very pleased and popular in all fields and everytime. Hida pieces of furniture are today well-known worldwide. Pieces of art as “Ichi-i-itto-bori” sculptures and lacquered furnitures named “Shunkei-nuri”confirm their exceptional skills.

“Hida Takayama Matsuri” festival takes place in spring and summer. You will find plenty of carpentry woodworking demonstration and the making of parade floats (Yatai). Takayama-matsuri is one of the 3 great festivals of Hikiyama including Gion-Matsuri (Kyoto) and Chichibu-Yomatsuri (Saitama). In 2016, it had been registered in the UNESCO  immaterial and cultural heritage in the Yama Hoko Gyoji section (japanese festival that includes float parade to pray the god and protect people from natural disaster. These are made thanks to the effort of communities in each town where the parade takes place). A dozen of those parade 2 times a year, and they are all different. Each one has its unique appearance and a very detailed framework. Mechanical dolls are also placed on the float. Because of their beauty and their sharpness, these are called “Ugoku Yomeimon” (beautiful moving Yomei gate). The old floats are preserved in the Takayama matsuri kaikan (Takayama festival center) and it really worth a visit.

  


Related blogs:

- One of the most famous festival in Japon : Takayama matsuri
Hida-gyu : the renown beef of Gifu
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Hida no Takumi Bunkakan (Takumikan Craft Museum)