Page 150 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide: Japan

148  JAP AN REGION B Y REGION

r Street-by-Street: Takayama
Takayama

Takayama is a town of character surrounded by moun tains.
Agriculturally poor but rich in timber, it produced skilled carpenters;
in the 8th century, when the region was unable to produce enough
rice for its taxes (usually paid in the form of rice), it sent craftsmen
instead. From 1692 to 1868 the area was under direct shogunate
control as a source of timber. Its isolated mountain location has
meant the survival of unspoiled Edo-period streets lined with tiny
shops, museums, and eating places, while the pure water is ideal One of the floats at the
for sake brewing. The town also stages one of Takayama Matsuri
Japan’s best-known festivals.
Higashiyama
Temple District
Lion Dance Ceremony
Exhibition Hall and
Takayama Festival Floats
Exhibition Hall (see p150) S H I M O N I N O M A C H I

Y A Y O I - B R I D G E S H I M O S A N N O M A C H I
B A S H I

M I Y A R I V E R

Morning
market
- I E
I H
J G
A S D
K A I
B R
B
Yoshijima Heritage House
This beautifully maintained
sake merchant’s house
re tains its wooden beamed
interior, lit by high windows. . Kusakabe Folk
Museum
Rebuilt of Japanese cypress
in 1879 after a fire, this
house is a well-preserved
0 meters 50
money-lender’s dwelling
0 yards 50 and includes folk craft items
and a small garden.
For hotels and restaurants see p303 and pp326–9
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