Many towns in Japan with old buildings still standing, "is sometimes called 'little Kyoto.'" (mostly by city tourist boards I suspect) Takayama is the closest I've seen to actually deserving the title. Lots of traditional styled buildings and interesting temples, set against impressive mountains. The comparison ends there though. Takayama's mountains are way more impressive, and the buildings have a more rustic feeling. Doesn't make it better or worse, just a different flavour.