The Katsuyama Historical Preservation District.

Katsuyama was once a castle town under the Mimasaka-Katsuyama feudal clan. The current preservation area was historically a prosperous stop for flatboats along the Asahi River and had many inns for travelers on the Izumo Highway. In 1985 this area was appointed as the first historical preservation district in Okayama Prefecture, and restoration work was begun on the many traditional wood buildings. But the tradition is more than just buildings. It lives in the daily lives of the people here. In summer, the street is decorated with tenjin dolls for the festival of the same name. During the Kenka Danjiri Festival in autumn, 2-ton wooden danjiri carts are bashed together in a tradition which dates back many years. In recent times, these two festivals handed down from previous generations have joined with the new traditions of the Hina Doll Festival and the organized efforts encouraging the townspeople to hang many beautiful noren over the doors of Katsuyama. This blending of old and new culture attracts more than 140,000 visitors a year, from both in and out of Okayama Prefecture.