Taketa city was once a thriving samurai town supporting nearby Oka Castle. When the fortunes of the castle faded at the end of the Edo era, so went the town. But the current residents of Taketa take great pride in their history and have maintained and restored dozens of historic buildings, repurposing them for modern use. The result is a town which melds its warrior clan past with its future as an important connection to ancient Japan, including its deep roots with the mysterious “hidden Christians” who were forced into hiding during the heavy persecution of the Edo period. For more information check out this article on Voyapon: http://voyapon.com/oita-taketa-old-town/