In 1986 the municipal government proclaimed Takayama an international tourist city, and in the following year established the Hida Takayama International Association. The association has a registry listing 137 volunteer interpreters from the city and surrounding areas who are able to serve visitors in 11 foreign languages. At present, the interpreters' primary goal is to serve government-related groups visiting from abroad, but they are also willing to interpret for tourists who come to Japan to conduct research in traditional handicrafts or history. One volunteer interpreter, Setoyama Eiko, runs the Rickshaw Inn. This is a popular spot for visitors from abroad - some of her staff speak English and Chinese, the rates are reasonable, and the inn has common cooking facilities and a coin laundry.
Some tourists stay quite a while.
A visit to this city will quickly illustrate why Takayama is popular among Japanese and foreigners alike.