Takayama, Gifu
Encyclopedia
is a city
located in Gifu
, Japan. As of July, 2011 the city has an estimated population of 92,369. The total area is 2177.67 square kilometre.
Takayama was settled as far back as the Jōmon period
. Takayama is best known for its inhabitants' expertise 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.
(the town of Kuguno
, and the villages of Asahi
, Kiyomi
, Miya
, Nyūkawa
, Shōkawa
and Takane
), and Yoshiki District
(the town of Kokufu
, and the village of Kamitakara
) were merged in a major expansion of the city which made Takayama the largest city in Japan (by surface area). The city is popularly known as Hida-Takayama (飛騨高山)(the guide books also call it by that name) to differentiate it from other places named Takayama. The name 'Takayama' means 'tall mountain'.
, United States (est. June 27, 1960) Lijiang, Yunnan
, People's Republic of China
(est. March 21, 2002) Sibiu
, Romania, since 2009.
Around the east of the city is a walking tour, called the Higashiyama Walking Course (東山歩行道 Higashiyama-hokōdō), which goes past many shrines and temples to Shiroyama Park (城山公園 Shiroyama-kōen). Takayama holds two festivals every year, Sannō Matsuri (山王祭り) in Spring and Hachiman Matsuri (八幡祭り) in Autumn. These festivals are among the most popular in Japan.
Cities of Japan
||A is a local administrative unit in Japan. Cities are ranked on the same level as and , with the difference that they are not a component of...
located in Gifu
Gifu Prefecture
is a prefecture located in the Chūbu region of central Japan. Its capital is the city of Gifu.Located in the center of Japan, it has long played an important part as the crossroads of Japan, connecting the east to the west through such routes as the Nakasendō...
, Japan. As of July, 2011 the city has an estimated population of 92,369. The total area is 2177.67 square kilometre.
Takayama was settled as far back as the Jōmon period
Jomon period
The is the time in Japanese prehistory from about 14,000 BC to 300 BC.The term jōmon means "cord-patterned" in Japanese. This refers to the pottery style characteristic of the Jōmon culture, and which has markings made using sticks with cords wrapped around them...
. Takayama is best known for its inhabitants' expertise in carpentry
Carpentry
A carpenter is a skilled craftsperson who works with timber to construct, install and maintain buildings, furniture, and other objects. The work, known as carpentry, may involve manual labor and work outdoors....
. 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
Takayama Castle
is a castle located in the city of Takayama, Gifu Prefecture, Japan. The castle was built on a mountain nearly in height and had many typical castle features, including a stone base, earthen walls and a surrounding moat. In spite of its defensive appearance, however, the castle was not built for...
. About a hundred years later the city came under the rule of the Tokugawa shogunate
Tokugawa shogunate
The Tokugawa shogunate, also known as the and the , was a feudal regime of Japan established by Tokugawa Ieyasu and ruled by the shoguns of the Tokugawa family. This period is known as the Edo period and gets its name from the capital city, Edo, which is now called Tokyo, after the name was...
. 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.
Significance
The city was formed on November 1, 1936 by a merger of the towns of Takayama and Onada. On February 1, 2005 nine towns and villages: from Ōno DistrictOno District, Gifu
is a district of Japan in Gifu Prefecture.The district is in a mountainous region near the geographic centre of Japan. Prior to 1 February 2005, the district comprised seven small communities, but on that day six of them merged into the expanded city of Takayama...
(the town of Kuguno
Kuguno, Gifu
was a town located in Ōno District, Gifu, Japan.On February 1, 2005 Kuguno, along with the villages of Asahi, Kiyomi, Miya, Nyūkawa, Shōkawa and Takane, all from Ōno District, the town of Kokufu, and the village of Kamitakara, from Yoshiki District, was merged into the expanded city of Takayama and...
, and the villages of Asahi
Asahi, Gifu
was a village located in Ōno District, Gifu, Japan.On February 1, 2005 Asahi, along with the town of Kuguno, and the villages of Kiyomi, Miya, Nyūkawa, Shōkawa and Takane, all from Ōno District, the town of Kokufu, and the village of Kamitakara, from Yoshiki District, was merged into the expanded...
, Kiyomi
Kiyomi, Gifu
was a village located in Ōno District, Gifu, Japan.On February 1, 2005 Kiyomi, along with the town of Kuguno, and the villages of Asahi, Miya, Nyūkawa, Shōkawa and Takane, all from Ōno District, the town of Kokufu, and the village of Kamitakara, from Yoshiki District, was merged into the expanded...
, Miya
Miya, Gifu
was a village located in Ōno District, Gifu, Japan.On February 1, 2005 Miya, along with the town of Kuguno, and the villages of Asahi, Kiyomi, Nyūkawa, Shōkawa and Takane, all from Ōno District, the town of Kokufu, and the village of Kamitakara, from Yoshiki District, was merged into the expanded...
, Nyūkawa
Nyukawa, Gifu
was a village located in Ōno District, Gifu, Japan.On February 1, 2005 Nyūkawa, along with the town of Kuguno, and the villages of Asahi, Kiyomi, Miya, Shōkawa and Takane, all from Ōno District, the town of Kokufu, and the village of Kamitakara, from Yoshiki District, was merged into the expanded...
, Shōkawa
Shokawa, Gifu
was a village located in Ōno District, Gifu Prefecture, Japan.On February 1, 2005 Shōkawa, along with the town of Kuguno, and the villages of Asahi, Kiyomi, Miya, Nyūkawa and Takane, all from Ōno District, the town of Kokufu, and the village of Kamitakara, from Yoshiki District, was merged into the...
and Takane
Takane, Gifu
was a village located in Ōno District, Gifu, Japan.On February 1, 2005 Takane, along with the town of Kuguno, and the villages of Asahi, Kiyomi, Miya, Nyūkawa and Shōkawa, all from Ōno District, the town of Kokufu, and the village of Kamitakara, from Yoshiki District, was merged into the expanded...
), and Yoshiki District
Yoshiki District, Gifu
was a district located in Gifu Prefecture, Japan. The district was dissolved on February 1, 2005 when the town and village in the district merged into the expanded city of Takayama....
(the town of Kokufu
Kokufu, Gifu
was a town located in the former Yoshiki District, Gifu, Japan.On February 1, 2005 Kokufu, along with the town of Kuguno, and the villages of Asahi, Kiyomi, Miya, Nyūkawa, Shōkawa and Takane, all from Ōno District, and the village of Kamitakara, from Yoshiki District, was merged into the expanded...
, and the village of Kamitakara
Kamitakara, Gifu
was a village located in the former Yoshiki District, Gifu, Japan.On February 1, 2005 Kamitakara, along with the town of Kuguno, and the villages of Asahi, Kiyomi, Miya, Nyūkawa, Shōkawa and Takane, all from Ōno District, and the town of Kokufu, from Yoshiki District, was merged into the expanded...
) were merged in a major expansion of the city which made Takayama the largest city in Japan (by surface area). The city is popularly known as Hida-Takayama (飛騨高山)(the guide books also call it by that name) to differentiate it from other places named Takayama. The name 'Takayama' means 'tall mountain'.
Climate
Adjoining communities
- Nagano PrefectureNagano Prefectureis a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūbu region of the island of Honshū. The capital is the city of Nagano.- History :Nagano was formerly known as the province of Shinano...
: ŌmachiOmachi, Naganois a city located in Nagano, Japan.As of 2008, the city has an estimated population of 31,079 and the population density of 55 persons per km². The total area is 564.99 km²....
, MatsumotoMatsumoto, Naganois a city located in Nagano Prefecture, Japan. Matsumoto is designated as a Special City.-Outline:The new city of Matsumoto is the city comprising the mergers of the old city of Matsumoto and four villages. Matsumoto officially absorbed those villages without creating a new municipal...
, Kiso (town)Kiso, Nagano (town)is a town located in Kiso District, Nagano Prefecture, Japan.The town was founded on November 1, 2005, when the town of Kisofukushima was merged with three villages , all from Kiso District....
(Kiso DistrictKiso District, Naganois a district located in Nagano Prefecture, Japan.As of November 1, 2005, the district has an estimated population of 34,759. The total area is 1,546.26 km².Historically, the district was once known as Nishichikuma District until May 1, 1968....
) - Gifu PrefectureGifu Prefectureis a prefecture located in the Chūbu region of central Japan. Its capital is the city of Gifu.Located in the center of Japan, it has long played an important part as the crossroads of Japan, connecting the east to the west through such routes as the Nakasendō...
: GeroGero, Gifuis a city in Gifu Prefecture, Japan. The city is famous for its hot springs. The Hida River runs throughout the city.-History:The city was established on March 1, 2004 by the merger of the towns of Gero, Hagiwara, Kanayama and Osaka, and the village of Maze, all from Mashita...
, GujoGujo, Gifuis a city in Gifu Prefecture, Japan.As of July 2011, the city has an estimated population of 43,960. The total area is 1,030.79 km².-History:...
, ShirakawaShirakawa, Gifu (village)is a village located in Ōno District, Gifu Prefecture, Japan. It is best known for being the site of Shirakawa-gō, a small, traditional village showcasing a style of buildings called gasshō-zukuri....
(Ōno DistrictOno District, Gifuis a district of Japan in Gifu Prefecture.The district is in a mountainous region near the geographic centre of Japan. Prior to 1 February 2005, the district comprised seven small communities, but on that day six of them merged into the expanded city of Takayama...
), HidaHida, Gifuis the northernmost city in Gifu Prefecture, Japan. It received its name from the historical province of Hida Province, which was centered around the same area.The official kanji for the city is actually 飛驒, which uses the old rendering of the 騨 character... - Toyama PrefectureToyama Prefectureis a prefecture of Japan located in the Hokuriku region on Honshū island. The capital is the city of Toyama.Toyama is the leading industrial prefecture on the Japan Sea coast, and has the industrial advantage of cheap electricity due to abundant water resources....
: ToyamaToyama, Toyamais the capital city of Toyama Prefecture, Japan, located on the coast of the Sea of Japan in the Chūbu region on central Honshū, about 200 km north of the city of Nagoya and 300 km northwest of Tokyo.... - Ishikawa PrefectureIshikawa Prefectureis a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūbu region on Honshū island. The capital is Kanazawa.- History :Ishikawa was formed from the merger of Kaga Province and the smaller Noto Province.- Geography :Ishikawa is on the Sea of Japan coast...
: HakusanHakusan, Ishikawais a city located in Ishikawa, Japan.The city was founded on February 1, 2005 from the merger of the city of Mattō with seven towns and villages from Ishikawa District. As of April 1, 2008 population data, the city has an estimated population of 110,654 and a density of 147 persons per km²... - Fukui PrefectureFukui Prefectureis a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūbu region on Honshū island. The capital is the city of Fukui.- Prehistory :The Kitadani Dinosaur Quarry, on the Sugiyama River within the city limits of Katsuyama, has yielded the Fukuiraptor kitadaniensis and Fukuisaurus tetoriensis as well as an unnamed...
: OnoOno, Fukuiis a city located in Fukui Prefecture, Japan.As of June 1, 2011, the city has an estimated population of 36,890 with 12,016 households and the density of 42.29 persons per km²...
Within Japan
- MatsumotoMatsumoto, Naganois a city located in Nagano Prefecture, Japan. Matsumoto is designated as a Special City.-Outline:The new city of Matsumoto is the city comprising the mergers of the old city of Matsumoto and four villages. Matsumoto officially absorbed those villages without creating a new municipal...
, Nagano PrefectureNagano Prefectureis a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūbu region of the island of Honshū. The capital is the city of Nagano.- History :Nagano was formerly known as the province of Shinano...
(est. November 1, 1971) - HiratsukaHiratsuka, Kanagawais a city located in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. As of 2010, the city had an estimated population of 259,991 and the density of 3,830 persons per km²...
, Kanagawa PrefectureKanagawa Prefectureis a prefecture located in the southern Kantō region of Japan. The capital is Yokohama. Kanagawa is part of the Greater Tokyo Area.-History:The prefecture has some archaeological sites going back to the Jōmon period...
(est. October 22, 1982) - EchizenEchizen, Fukuiis a city in Fukui, Japan.Echizen took its present form on October 1, 2005, when the city of Takefu and the town of Imadate merged to form the new city, although the Echizen Basin has been an important regional center for over 1,500 years. It has many former castle sites and prehistoric...
, Fukui PrefectureFukui Prefectureis a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūbu region on Honshū island. The capital is the city of Fukui.- Prehistory :The Kitadani Dinosaur Quarry, on the Sugiyama River within the city limits of Katsuyama, has yielded the Fukuiraptor kitadaniensis and Fukuisaurus tetoriensis as well as an unnamed...
(est. October 22, 1982) - KaminoyamaKaminoyama, Yamagatais a city located in Yamagata Prefecture, Japan.As of 2008, the city has an estimated population of 34,784 and the density of 144 persons per km². The total area is 240.95 km².The city was founded on October 1, 1954.-Railway stations:...
, Yamagata PrefectureYamagata Prefecture-Fruit:Yamagata Prefecture is the largest producer of cherries and pears in Japan. A large quantity of other kinds of fruits such as grapes, apples, peaches, melons, persimmons and watermelons are also produced.- Demographics :...
(est. October 13, 1988)
Overseas
Denver, ColoradoDenver, Colorado
The City and County of Denver is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. Denver is a consolidated city-county, located in the South Platte River Valley on the western edge of the High Plains just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains...
, United States (est. June 27, 1960) Lijiang, Yunnan
Yunnan
Yunnan is a province of the People's Republic of China, located in the far southwest of the country spanning approximately and with a population of 45.7 million . The capital of the province is Kunming. The province borders Burma, Laos, and Vietnam.Yunnan is situated in a mountainous area, with...
, People's Republic of China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
(est. March 21, 2002) Sibiu
Sibiu
Sibiu is a city in Transylvania, Romania with a population of 154,548. Located some 282 km north-west of Bucharest, the city straddles the Cibin River, a tributary of the river Olt...
, Romania, since 2009.
Attractions
- Mount Norikura, a dormant volcano that is 3,026 meters (9,928 ft.) tall is located just east of Takayama. A bus takes visitors 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 cultural artifacts.
- Takayama has a nice morning market near the river in the center of town.
- The Hida Minzoku Mura Folk VillageHida Minzoku Mura Folk Villageis an open air museum of close to 30 old farmhouses illustrating the traditional architectural styles of the mountainous regions of Japan. The Hida Folk Village is located 2.5 km SW of the Takayama, Gifu Prefecture, train station. Of particular interest are the thatched and shingled roofs, such...
folk village is also nearby. - Takayama is the home of one of the three largest Shinto festivals in Japan. The Takayama FestivalTakayama FestivalThe in Takayama in Japan started in the 16th to 17th century. “The origins of the festivals are unknown”; however they are believed to have been started during the rule of the Kanamori family. Correspondence dated 1692 place the origin to 40 years prior to that date...
s are two distinctive festivals. The Yatai (floats) used during the festivals can be found in the Takayama Yatai Kaikan (Takayama Festival Float Exhibition Hall). Nearby is the Sakurayama Nikkō Kan, an exhibit of 1/10 scale replicas of Nikkō's famous Toshogu shrine. - Takayama-shi Kyodo-kan is a local history museum with handicrafts and traditional items.
- Takayama JinyaTakayama Jinyais a former government outpost that was established in order to bring the Hida Province under the direct control of the Edo Bakufu . It was established in what is currently Hachiken-machi, Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture.-History:...
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 ginkgo 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.
- The ruins of Matsukura CastleMatsukura Castlewas a castle in Takayama, Gifu Prefecture, Japan . It was built by, and ruled from, by Yasutane Shiina during the 16th century.-Outline:...
are located in the city.
Culture
- Takayama is known for its local foods, including sansai (mountain vegetables) and wasakana (river fish) as well as its beef, soba, ramen, and sake.
- In addition to its fame for its carpentry, Takayama is well known for its lacquerware, pottery, and furniture.
- The mountain city of Takayama is associated with charmsAmuletAn amulet, similar to a talisman , is any object intended to bring good luck or protection to its owner.Potential amulets include gems, especially engraved gems, statues, coins, drawings, pendants, rings, plants and animals; even words said in certain occasions—for example: vade retro satana—, to...
known as "saruboboSaruboboA is a Japanese amulet, particularly associated with the town of Takayama in Gifu Prefecture. Sarubobos are red human-shaped dolls, with no facial features, made in a variety of sizes...
s", which are traditionally passed from grandmothers to grandchildren and mothers to daughters, though are now often sold as souvenirs. The city and the Hida area in which it is located are also known for carpentry, and its carpenters are called Hida no takumi.
Around the east of the city is a walking tour, called the Higashiyama Walking Course (東山歩行道 Higashiyama-hokōdō), which goes past many shrines and temples to Shiroyama Park (城山公園 Shiroyama-kōen). Takayama holds two festivals every year, Sannō Matsuri (山王祭り) in Spring and Hachiman Matsuri (八幡祭り) in Autumn. These festivals are among the most popular in Japan.
Railroad
- Central Japan Railway CompanyCentral Japan Railway CompanyThe is the main railway company operating in the Chūbu region of central Japan. It is officially abbreviated in English as JR Central and in Japanese as . Its headquarters are located in the JR Central Towers in Nakamura-ku, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture.The company's operational hub is Nagoya Station...
- Takayama Main LineTakayama Main Lineis a Japanese railway line between Gifu Station in Gifu and Toyama Station in Toyama, operated by Central Japan Railway Company and West Japan Railway Company . The line directly links Chūkyō Metropolitan Area and Hokuriku region in a shorter distance, but slower than to use Tōkaidō Shinkansen...
: Nagisa, Kuguno, Hida-Ichinomiya, Takayama, Hozue, Hida-Kokufu
- Takayama Main Line