Takayama, Gifu


Takayama is a city located in Gifu, Japan., the city had an estimated population of 88,473 in 35,644 households, and a population density of 41 persons per km2. The total area of the city was making it the largest city by area in Japan. 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.

Etymology

The city is popularly known as Hida-Takayama in reference to the old Hida Province to differentiate it from other places named Takayama. The name 'Takayama' means 'tall mountain'.

Geography

Takayama is located in northern Gifu Prefecture, in the heart of the Japan Alps. Mount Hotakadake is the highest point in the city at . The city has the largest geographic area of any municipality in Japan.

Neighbouring municipalities

Per Japanese census data, the population of Takayama has increased gradually over the past 40 years from 1970-2010.
The population in 1940 was 60,258 people.
Census YearPopulation
194060,258
197088,602
198095,037
199095,859
200097,023
201095,859
202088,473

Climate

The city has a climate characterized by hot and humid summers, and mild winters. The average annual temperature in Takayama is. The average annual rainfall is 1840 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around, and lowest in January, at around. It features four distinct seasons with a wide range of temperature between the summer and winter, somewhat resembling parts of northern Japan and Hokkaidō. Takayama is part of the heavy snow area of Japan with snowfall most days throughout the winter season. Takayama and many other places exposed to the Sea of Japan experience lake effect snow, generating some of the highest, most consistent snowfall in the world.
Spring is short lived, usually dry with mild temperatures and plenty of sunshine. Cherry blossoms can be seen in Takayama from the middle to the end of April, around three weeks later than Nagoya.
Summer begins around the end of May to the beginning of June. It is humid and wet with the arrival of the rainy season, receiving high rainfall amounts. It then yields to a hotter and generally less humid end to the summer with daytime temperatures usually higher than and occasionally higher than coupled with strong sunshine.
Autumn approaches during the middle of October and is short, dry. and cool with diminishing sunlight. Colorful foliage from maples can be seen in the Takayama area from the end of October to the first week of November.
Winter arrives around the beginning of December and is moderately long, cold, and icy with high amounts of snowfall annually amounting to an average of commonly leading to the development of snow banks in the outer areas of the city. The first snowfall usually arrives at the end of November and lasts through until the beginning of April. Yearly low temperatures in the city center drop as low as and occasionally fail to reach above freezing point during the day.

History

The area around Takayama was part of traditional Hida Province, and was settled as far back as the Jōmon period. During the Sengoku period, Kanamori Nagachika ruled the area from Takayama Castle and the town of Takayama developed as a castle town. During the Edo period, the area was tenryō under the direct control of the Tokugawa shogunate. In the post-Meiji restoration cadastral reforms, Ōno District in Gifu prefecture was created, and the town of Takayama was established in 1889 with the creation of the modern municipalities system. At the time, it was the most populous municipality in Gifu Prefecture. On November 1, 1936, Takayama merged with the town of Onada, forming the city of Takayama. Takayama annexed the village of Josue in 1943 and the village of Ohachiga in 1955. On February 1, 2005, the town of Kuguno, and the villages of Asahi, Kiyomi, Miya, Nyūkawa, Shōkawa and Takane, the town of Kokufu, and the village of Kamitakara were merged into Takayama, which made Takayama both the largest city and largest municipality in Japan by area.

Government

Takayama has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city legislature of 24 members.

Economy

The economy of Takayama is strongly based on tours, agriculture and woodworking.

Education

Colleges and universities

Takayama has 19 public elementary schools and 12 public middle schools operated by the city government. The city has three public high schools operated by the Gifu Prefectural Board of Education, and one private high school.

Transportation

Railway

- Takayama Main Line

In Japan

This city was selected as one of the top ten travel destinations in Asia by Lonely Planet Magazine in the year 2017.