Takayama City is surrounded by the magnificent nature represented by the Northern Alps and has the largest municipal area in Japan. The historic old town remaining in the central city area retains the traces of its prosperity as a merchant town in the Edo period. The Takayama Festival, held every spring and fall, was registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2016. Takayama City attracted many tourists from both Japan and abroad, with approximately 4.42 million visitors in 2024. Additoinally, many anime fans visit the real-life locations featured in Hyouka, which is set in Takayama City.