Takayama is located in the Japanese Alps in Central Honshu. Historically, the region was an important source of timber and water from the surrounding mountains is still used to produce some of Japan's best quality sake. Many Edo period wood buildings are preserved in the downtown streets of Takayama.
A blurred sky line image of the high Japanese Alps taken through a hotel window.
The thatched ball of straw hanging from the eaves identifies this Edo-period shop in the Sannomachi Quarter as a sake distributor.
The Takayama Matsuri festival is held in the spring and the fall and dates from 1690. During the festival eleven highly ornate floats are pulled in procession around the town by local people in Edo-period dress. Four of the floats are on display throughout the year in an exhibition hall.
Lavish decoration on the base and wooden wheels of a festival float.
A menacing image of a horned spirit on the side of a float.
Bronze statues of mythical creatures facing each other across the Kaji Bashi bridge over the Miya River.
Wagon wheels and grinding bowls.
A drive-in sake and beer bar.
Equestrian statue with royal chrysanthemum decoration.
The Takayama region produces hida beef - a gastronomic delight. The beef is typically finely marbled, tender and similar in flavor to the perhaps better known wagu beef.
A fearsome dragon guarding a water well and ensuring its purity.
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