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Takayama Jinya

At its height, the Edo-era government maintained regional offices at sixty locations around Japan. In these impressive, palatial structures, bureaucrats dispatched from Edo extended the power of the Tokugawa Shogunate directly into the heart of the nation’s far-flung reaches.
The Takayama Jinya, or old government house, was built in the early 17th century. In 1692, the Shogunate took direct control over the area, valued for both its timber and craftsmen. By the end of the Shogunate in 1868, 25 generations of bureaucrats had served here, including tax collectors, judges, police and others.Today Takayama Jinya, rebuilt in 1816, is the only surviving example of the historic government buildings.
Pass beneath the imposing gate and join one of the free English-language guided tours to see the old courtroom, the governor’s residence and maid’s quarters, implements of torture, and the cavernous rice granary where taxes collected in the form of rice were stored.If you get to Takayama Jinya early, take some time to explore the morning market set up out front. Farmers, local craftsmen and their wives set up stalls and sell everything from local pickles and spices to handpicked mountain vegetables and traditional toys. Many of the stalls offer free samples, so this is an excellent opportunity to explore a broad variety of local flavors. The market runs daily from 7 am to about noon, opening an hour earlier in summer.

Access>>
1-5 Hachiken-machi, Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture
10 minutes walk from JR Takayama Station

Website>>
Takayama Jinya Official Website

Open Hours>>
March - October (Except August): 8:45 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.August: 8:45 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.November - February: 8:45 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Holidays>>
December 29th, 31th, and January 1st

Admission Fee>>
Adult: 420 yen
High school student or younger: free

- Matt Mangham

Hida/Takayama Travel Guide at JAPANiCAN.com