What to know
The Takayama Festival (Takayama Matsuri) is considered one of Japan's three most beautiful festivals, alongside Kyoto's Gion Matsuri and the Chichibu Yomatsuri. It takes place twice a year, in spring and autumn, in Takayama's old town and draws large crowds.
The Spring Festival (April 14-15) is the annual festival of Hie Shrine in the southern part of Takayama's old town. Since the shrine is also called Sanno-sama, the spring festival is often referred to as the Sanno Festival.
Similarly, the Autumn Festival (October 9-10) is the annual festival of Hachiman Shrine in the northern part of the old town, and it is also known as the Hachiman Festival.
Both spring and autumn festivals share similar attractions and schedules. Each features its own set of about a dozen festival floats (yatai). Throughout the year, the tall, elaborately decorated floats are kept in storehouses scattered across Takayama's old town (except those displayed at the Yatai Kaikan). Additionally, a set of replica floats is exhibited year-round at the Matsuri no Mori festival museum.
The Takayama Festival is a highly popular event, attracting several hundred thousand visitors from Japan and abroad. It becomes especially crowded if one or both festival days fall on a weekend or national holiday.
As a result, hotels in Takayama are booked out many months in advance, so it is advisable to make reservations as early as possible. Nearby towns such as Furukawa and Gero Onsen can also serve as a base for attending the festival, but staying farther away may make it difficult to see the evening festivities.
Visitor information
Practical details to check before planning this stop.
- Hours
- Closed
- Admission
- English name
- Takayama Matsuri
- Original name
- Takayama Festival
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