From Takayama Station, the festival venues in the old town are within a short walk. Buses and taxis are also available.
5
Takayama Matsuri
Part of Takayama
The Takayama Festival (高山祭) is held twice a year in the charming old town of Takayama and is widely regarded as one of Japan’s three most beautiful festivals. The Spring Festival, held on April 14-15, honors Hie Shrine, also known as Sanno-sama, located in the southern part of the town. In contrast, the Autumn Festival, held on October 9-10, celebrates Hachiman Shrine in the northern part of Takayama. During both festivals, visitors are mesmerized by the grand processions, where elaborately decorated floats (yatai) are paraded through the streets. These floats are masterpieces of Takayama’s renowned craftsmanship, showcasing intricate woodwork, vibrant colors, and traditional designs that reflect the city's deep cultural heritage.
Throughout the year, the historic floats are carefully stored in town warehouses, but during the festivals, they come to life, creating an unforgettable spectacle. For those who visit outside the festival dates, replicas of these magnificent floats are on display at the Matsuri no Mori museum, offering an opportunity to admire their intricate details and learn about the festival's history. Whether attending in spring or autumn, the Takayama Festival offers a vibrant celebration of traditional art, local culture, and the craftsmanship that has defined Takayama for centuries.
Schedule
Display of festival floats
- When
-
April 14 and 15:
9:30 AM to 4:00 PM
October 9 and 10:
9:00 AM to 4:00 PM (until 7:00 PM on the 9th)
- Whats happening
-
The festival floats (yatai) are displayed in the streets from morning until late afternoon. If the weather is unfavorable, the floats are kept in their storage houses. However, the doors of these houses are opened, allowing visitors to see the floats inside. This ensures that, even in bad weather, festival-goers can still admire the impressive floats.
Karakuri Performance
- When
-
April 14 and 15:
10:00 AM and 2:00 PM
October 9:
12:00 PM and 2:00 PM
October 10:
11:00 AM and 1:00 PM
- Whats happening
-
During the Karakuri Performance, some of the festival floats are adorned with karakuri ningyo, mechanical dolls that can move and dance. These performances take place on both festival days and last about 50 minutes. In case of bad weather, the shows are moved to the storehouses where the floats are kept.
Mikoshi Procession
- When
-
April 14:
Departs the shrine at 1:00 PM
April 15:
Returns at 4:00 PM
October 9:
Departs the shrine at 1:20 PM
October 10:
Returns at 4:00 PM
- Whats happening
-
During the Mikoshi Procession, a portable shrine (mikoshi) is carried in a parade around the town for two days. The procession starts and ends at the shrine, with the kami (Shinto deity) inside the mikoshi. This is the only time of the year when the kami leaves the shrine to travel through the town.
Evening Festival
- When
-
April 14:
From around 6:00 PM to around 9:00 PM
October 9:
From around 6:15 PM to around 8:30 PM
- Whats happening
-
On the evening of the first day of the Takayama Festival, festival floats are pulled through the streets of the old town for 2-3 hours. Many visitors consider this evening event (yomatsuri) the highlight of the festival. However, bad weather may lead to the cancellation of the event. The festival is extremely popular, attracting hundreds of thousands of people from Japan and around the world. If it coincides with a weekend or holiday, it becomes even busier.
Hotels in Takayama often get fully booked months in advance, so it’s best to make reservations early. Nearby towns like Furukawa and Gero Onsen offer good alternatives for accommodation, though staying further away may make it difficult to attend the evening parade.
Getting there
Resources
English
Takayama Matsuri
Official website
Japanese
Spring Festival
Information website
Autumn Festival
Information website
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