Denver Sister Cities International

The City

The history of Takayama dates back to the prehistoric age. Many ancient peoples lived there. This is evident by the great number of relics and remains of stone age that have been excavated in Takayama. You can see the stone tools, earthen wares, ancient tombs, at an old construction built in the 8th century, the Kokubunji Temple.

After the Reformation of the Taika (645 A.D.), the imperial governor was sent to that part of the country. The people of Hida were very poor at that time so the government classified this area as a low class district in taxation. It then ordered the inhabitants to go to Nara, the capital at that time, to serve in the compulsory labors. Because of their skill in working with wood, they built the imperial palaces, temples and shrines. As time went on, these people became known as “Artisans of Hida” for their skill in construction and sculpture.

The birth of modern Takayama dates from the Muromachi period (1504-1520 A.D.) when one of the powerful families, Mr. Taga, built a castle on the top of Shiroyama Hill and ruled the area.

By the government of Kanamori family, which lasted for six generations during 107 years, the present structure of the town was formed by putting the political, economic and cultural systems in order, as a center of the administrations of a Hida large region. This was a cultural-minded family who encouraged the artisans to make a various andcrafts. Their skilful technology is now receiving high praise. In 1934, the Takayama National Railways line began to go into operation from Gifu to Toyama running through the city. On 1936, it reorganized the town as a municipality, and in 1955, by the last annexation of Daihachiga village, Takayama became the large city it is today. The city of Takayama is 54 square miles and is the 5th largest city in Gifu Prefecture.

1960, Denver added its second sister city. Takayama is nestled deep within the Japanese Alps of Gifu Prefecture with the Sea of Japan to the west.

It may come as a surprise, but our “Mile High City” and our Japanese sister city mirror each other in several ways. Tourism plays a key role in supporting both, there are rivers that flow through the heart of both towns, snow creates nearby skiing fun, and natural hot springs are just a hop, skip and a splash away.

The Denver and Takayama committees continue to grow and expand their cultural exchange. The “Takayama Park” in downtown Denver is a friendly reminder of our close ties with Takayama. It’s never too long between the last “sayonara” and the next “howdy”.

Coming Soon…

Coming soon…

Chair: Sachiko Nakahira

720.244.2798
sachikonakahira@yahoo.com

Co-Chair: Ken Nakamura

303.519.2611
denver_takayama.sci60@yahoo.com