Takayama is a historic city in Japan's mountainous Hida region, famous for its exceptionally well-preserved Edo-period old town, Sanmachi Suji, which features traditional wooden merchant houses, sake breweries, and artisan shops. Surrounded by the Japanese Alps, it's known for its traditional inland culture, vibrant festivals like the Takayama Festival, and as a gateway to outdoor activities and nearby sites like Shirakawa-go.