Stepping into Takayama Jin-ya feels like traveling back through centuries of history. It is also the only Edo-period magistrate's office in Japan that remains fully preserved today. After the shogunate placed Hida under its direct control, this became the central institution overseeing politics, taxation, and judicial matters, bearing witness to the disciplined government culture of the Edo period.
Inside the jin-ya, glimpses of history are everywhere: the impressive main hall reflects the authority officials once held; traces of interrogations and old instruments of punishment offer insight into the Edo-period judicial system; and Japan's largest and oldest surviving onkura rice storehouse tells the story of storing rice collected as annual tribute.
One highlight during your visit is the makimuki usagi nail covers on the beams and pillars, which symbolize protection from fire and evil. Don't forget to look for them—the craftsmanship and ingenuity are evident in every detail.
