1. The Takayama Festival, held in spring and autumn, divides the former Takayama castle town into north and south halves.

The Takayama Festival is said to have originated between the late 16th and 17th centuries. It is the collective name for two festivals, the Sanno Festival and the Hachiman Festival, which take place in the old Takayama castle town, where traditional streetscapes remain.

The Spring Takayama Festival (Sanno Festival), held on April 14th and 15th, is the annual festival of Hie Shrine, the guardian deity of the southern half of the old Takayama castle town. Meanwhile, the Autumn Takayama Festival (Hachiman Festival), held on October 9th and 10th, is the annual festival of Sakurayama Hachiman Shrine, the guardian deity of the northern half.

The main attraction of both the spring and autumn festivals are the large floats known as "yatai." There are a total of 23 elaborately decorated floats, 12 for the Sanno Festival and 11 for the Hachiman Festival, and they are designated as Important Tangible Folk Cultural Properties of Japan in 1960 (Showa 35) as typical festival floats that developed in the late Edo period.

Furthermore, the Takayama Festival float event was designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan in 1979. In 2016, it was registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage along with 32 other festivals across the country as "Yama, Hoko and Yatai Events," and is now recognized as a global treasure.

The Takayama Festival's floats date back to the Kagura floats at the Hachiman Festival in 1708 (the 5th year of the Hoei era). It is said that the floats at the Sanno Festival appeared some 40 years later. The Edo-style floats evolved into the gorgeous floats we see today thanks to the strong belief of the local community organizations known as "yataigumi" that "our floats are treasures." They repeatedly repaired their floats after fires and damage, and continued to add elaborate designs and decorations so as not to be outdone by other float groups.

Thanks to the superb skills of Hida artisans supported by wealthy merchants and merchant families, a beautiful float decorated with intricate carvings, lacquer, and decorative work was completed. Its appearance has been called the "moving Yomeimon Gate."

The Takayama Festival is a great opportunity to see the traditional floats that showcase the skills of artisans up close. Let's take a look at the different charms and highlights of the spring and autumn festivals.

2. Takayama Festival (Sanno Festival) in Spring, Colored by Elegant Cherry Blossoms

First up is the Sanno Festival, which heralds the arrival of spring in Takayama. April 14th and 15th coincide with the cherry blossom season, so the festival is bustling with tourists. The sight of the gorgeous floats crossing the vermilion-painted Nakabashi Bridge is breathtakingly beautiful.

●Pulling of the floats (yatai hikisoroe)

At the Sanno Festival, the annual festival of Hie Shrine, 12 gorgeous floats appear on the south side of Yasukawa Street in Kamimachi. Four floats, including the Kagura float, are displayed at the Otabisho (temple hall) at the foot of Nakabashi Bridge.

The other floats will be pulled along Shinmeicho Street on the 14th, and along Kamiichinomachi, Kamininomachi and Sanmachi Streets on the 15th. This is a rare opportunity to see the beautiful designs of the floats up close.

● Karakuri Dedication

Karakuri dedication is a traditional dedication event in which mechanical puppets on floats are manipulated by skilled rope operators to perform delicate and ingenious dances and tricks.

At the Takayama Spring Festival, three of the 12 floats - Sanbaso, Shakkyotai, and Ryujintai - take turns performing Karakuri offerings in the square in front of the shrine.

First, Sanbaso manipulates the puppets to the tune of the play "Urashima." The audience erupts in cheers as the young boy's face instantly changes to that of an old man. Next, at the stone platform, the beautiful woman dancing flips her kimono and transforms into a raging lion. The powerful scene is captivating. Finally, at the Ryujindai, a dragon god leaps out of the jar held by the Chinese child and performs a fierce dance, drawing applause from the crowd in front of the Jinya.

● Imperial Pilgrimage

The festival is centered around the portable shrine, with lion dances and cockfighting music,Hoshimi(Kamishimo)appearanceThe festival procession, "Gojirushi," with hundreds of people, including the Kego, is as gorgeous as a picture scroll.Starting from Hie Shrine,They slowly parade through the festival area.

In front of the houses of the parishioners, each group of floats is decorated with lanterns and Japanese umbrellas with different designs, creating a very tasteful atmosphere. When the sun goes down, the lanterns are lit with candles, creating a fantastical atmosphere.

● Night Festival

The night festival on the 14th creates a fantastical world that is different from the daytime. Floats lit by countless lanterns parade through the town, creating an elegant accompaniment to the cherry blossoms. After passing through Jundojo, the traditional farewell song "Takai Yama" rings out as the floats return to their respective storehouses.

Spring Takayama Festival (Sanno Festival) Events and Schedule (Annual)

*In the event of rain, the floats will be pulled together and the Karakuri offerings will be shown off at their respective float storehouses.The night festival is canceled

▼Spring Takayama Festival (Sanno Festival)

Venue: Around Hie Shrine
Period: April 14th-15th
TEL：0577-35-3156（高山市教育委員会文化財課内 高山屋台保存会事務局）

3. Experience the vibrant atmosphere of the festival. Takayama Autumn Festival (Hachiman Festival) with its float parades

The Hachiman Festival, which colors Hida Takayama in autumn, is held at Sakurayama Hachiman Shrine, the guardian deity of the northern half of the old Takayama castle town. Among the festival's attractions is the "Yatai Hikimawashi," a parade of 11 floats through town, a special autumn event that doesn't take place in spring. The town is filled with excitement and gaiety over two days, with the "Goshinko," a historical picture scroll-like event, and the fantastical "Yoi Matsuri."

●Pulling of the floats (yatai hikisoroe)

The spectacle of the "Yatai Hikisore" festival, where 11 floats are lined up at Sakurayama Hachiman Shrine under the autumn sky, is truly breathtaking.

On both the 9th and 10th, the only float decorated with mechanical dolls, Hotei-tai, is located within the temple grounds, while the other floats are lined up on the main approach. This is an opportunity to take a close look at the float's carvings, the large farewell curtain at the back, and even the detailed structure, and people gathered around the floats are met with gasps of admiration.

● Karakuri Dedication

Within the grounds of Hachiman Shrine, a Karakuri Dedication is performed using a Hotei-dai platform carrying a Karakuri doll.

The highlight of the show is when the male and female karako dolls spin across three swings like gymnasts' giant wheels, and finally jump onto Hotei's shoulders. Be sure to pay attention to the karako dolls' ingenious and complex movements and the mechanism where Hotei swings his fan. You'll be mesmerized by the lively movements of the puppets, manipulated by the nine rope players on 36 strings.

●Goshinko (pilgrimage to the gods)

The festival procession centered around the mikoshi is called "Gojunko" in the spring Takayama Festival and "Goshinko" in the autumn Takayama Festival.

During the Goshinko, the gods are said to travel for two days and one night to pray for the prosperity of their parishioners. Hundreds of people dressed in traditional attire, including toukeiraku (cockfighting musicians) who march to the sound of kankakokan, bells, and taiko drums, and guards wearing kamishimo (traditional Japanese formal attire), parade through the town. Viewed alongside the sounds of gagaku music, it feels as if you have traveled back in time to the Edo period.

●Yatai Hikimawashi (Float Pulling)

On the afternoon of the 9th, a special event called the "Yatai Hikimawashi" is held, which is not part of the Takayama Spring Festival. A total of four floats, including the Kaguradai and Hououdai floats, and two more floats selected by lottery that year, are paraded around the festival area from the main approach to Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine.

Not only can you admire the intricate carvings and lacquered decorations up close, but you can also enjoy the beauty of the calculated, graceful movements. This is a highlight of autumn, where you can experience the dynamism of the festival firsthand.

●Yoi Matsuri (Evening Festival)

The "Night Festival" event of the Spring Takayama Festival is popularly known as the "Yoi Matsuri" at the Autumn Takayama Festival.When the sun goes down,Approximately 100 lit lanterns floats slowly parade through the town, drawing you into a mysterious world that is different from the glamour of the daytime.

When the floats reach the Jundojo, they return to their respective storehouses while singing the farewell song "Takai Yama." The swaying lanterns create a nostalgic scene in the dark night.

Takayama Autumn Festival "Hachiman Festival" Events and Schedule (2025)

*In case of rain, the floats will be unveiled at the respective float storehouses or float halls. Karakuri dedication, float pullingTurndeath,The evening festival is canceled

▼Autumn Takayama Festival "Hachiman Festival"

Venue: Around Sakurayama Hachiman Shrine
Period: October 9th-10th
TEL：0577-35-3156（高山市教育委員会文化財課内 高山屋台保存会事務局）

4. Outside of the festival period, view the authentic floats at the Takayama Festival Yatai Hall

The Takayama Festival Float Hall, located within the grounds of Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine, has a permanent exhibition of the octagonal mikoshi and the floats actually used in the festival. If you take your time to look at the elegant decorations, you'll be able to appreciate the superb craftsmanship of Hida's artisans. This is a spot where you can learn about the history and culture of the Takayama Festival and get a deeper appreciation of its charm.

5. KAI Hoshino Resorts KAI Okuhida: Hot spring ryokan surrounded by Hida's traditional crafts

After enjoying the Takayama Festival to your heart's content, why not extend your trip to Oku-Hida hot spring, at the foot of the Northern Alps? Located quietly in the mountains, about a 45-minute drive from the festival site, KAI Hoshino Resorts KAI Okuhida Hida is an artistic and warm hot spring inn that incorporates traditional Hida craftsmanship in a modern way.

Relax your body and mind in the mountain hot spring, experience the artisanal skills that live on within the facility, and spend some time relaxing and savoring the afterglow of the festival.