The regional government office for the former province of Hida (1692-1868), the Takayama-jinya played a prominent role in the life of the citizens. It was a tax collection centre but also a courthouse, where people came to air their grievances and plead their cases, and were tried, sentenced, and sometimes tortured... in a room devoted solely to this task! The daikan (local governor) also lodged and received guests in another part of the building. The only surviving building of its kind in Japan, it makes for a unique visit.