The last of more than 60 similar buildings in Japan, Takayama Jinya dates back to the Edo period and functioned as the local governor’s office from 1692 to 1969.

The building includes residential space and storehouses for the rice which was paid as taxes as well as an interesting interrogation room.

Today, the building is open to the public as a museum and on display are old maps of the Hida region, historic town plans, and the belongings and official documents of past occupants.