Takayama — The Secret Hida Ledger

Your investigation begins at Takayama Jinya, the former governmental headquarters of the Hida domain, established in 1692 by the Tokugawa Shogunate. This building is the only one of its kind still existing in Japan, and it's here that the "Secret Hida Ledger" was discovered, hidden in an archive room. The yellowed parchments reveal the first clues: suspicious commercial transactions and enigmatic mentions related to local artisans. You examine the premises, looking for clues left by officials of the time that might shed light on the political and economic stakes of Takayama in the early Edo period.

Continue to the Furui Machinami district, Takayama's "old town," with its merchant houses dating from the Edo period (1603-1868). Stroll along Sannomachi and Ichinomachi streets, where wooden facades and latticed trellises hide ancestral secrets. The ledger mentions a sake merchant whose fortune mysteriously grew. In augmented reality, observe hidden symbols on the doors of breweries and artisan workshops, leading you to the next step of your investigation. These streets, the cradle of Hida culture, are a living testament to the economic activity that shaped the city.

The path leads you to the Kusakabe Folk Crafts Museum (Kusakabe Mingeikan), a former merchant residence from the 19th century, transformed into a museum. The "Secret Hida Ledger" contains sketches of artisanal motifs and lists of tools, suggesting a connection to Takayama's master artisans. This museum, a former residence of a family of pawnbrokers, preserves the typical architecture of merchant houses in the Chubu region. Here, you search for clues about the practices and rituals of the Hida artisans, whose ingenuity was renowned far beyond the province's borders.

Head towards the Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine, a Shinto shrine dedicated to Hachiman, the god of war, founded in the 5th century. It is here that the "Secret Hida Ledger" alludes to a secret brotherhood of artisans, the "Guardians of Hida-no-Takumi," who used the shrine for clandestine meetings. The Takayama Festival, held here twice a year (spring and autumn), is a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. Coded messages are hidden on the stone lanterns and Torii gates, revealing information about the disappearances troubling the city.

Your quest concludes at the Miyagawa Morning Market (Miyagawa Asaichi), a bustling market along the Miyagawa River, where local farmers and artisans have sold their products since the Edo period. The "Secret Hida Ledger" contains a final page, describing a secret meeting place for illicit exchanges. It is here, amidst the morning bustle, that you must decipher the final message and identify the instigator of the troubles. By exploring this market, you understand how the natural resources of the Chubu region, and the craftsmanship of Takayama artisans, were at the center of covetousness and legends. You have uncovered the secret of the Hida clan, revealing the hidden truths of Takayama.