Etchū Province
The area of present-day Takaoka was part of ancient Etchū Province, and the provincial capital was located in what are now the outskirts of the modern city. Ōtomo no Yakamochi took position as a government official in this area in the 8th century. During his five-year stay, he wrote many "waka" poems. This is the reason for Takaoka being nicknamed Manyō City.