HOJYU TAI is also known as KAME YATAI, or Turtle Float. The turtle on the roof were carved from 1818 to 1830 by a father and son named TAKAGAKI. Since TAKAYAMA is an inland region and travel was extremely difficult in those days, the carvers never had an opportunity to see turtle; thus, the artists created turtle with human-like heads and ears.Pictures:Festival floats of Takayama festival published by Hida takayama tourism association