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Sanno Festival in spring and Hachiman Festival in fall are called Takayama Festival, known as one of Japan’s Three Most Beautiful Festivals.
Takayama Festival has been carefully kept for over 300 years in Takayama City, Gifu. It includes the Sanno Festival (Spring Takayama Festival) held at Hie Shrine in April, and Hachiman Festival (Autumn Takayama Festival) at Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine. It is known as one of Japan’s Most Beautiful Festivals.
The Spring Takayama Festival is held on April 14th and 15th, and Autumn Takayama Festival, on October 9th and 10th. Hundreds of people dressed in traditional attire will march led by the lion dance.
The highlight of Takayama Festival is the brilliant floats. 12 of them in spring and 11 in fall are all designated as national important cultural properties. 6-8m-tall and made up of top, middle and bottom layers, they are fashioned by superb craftsmen. You can see their traditional craftsmanship in the detailed carvings and embroidery on the giant banners. The trick crafts on the floats is a must-see. With lanterns on the floats lit, the “evening festival” is tantalizing.
In 2016, Takayama’s “yama, hoko, and yatai float festivals” were registered as “Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity'' by UNESCO.
The Spring Takayama Festival is held at Hie Shrine. Sanno Festival
A line of people dressed in traditional attire march (Photo: Spring Takayama Festival)
Festival floats are lit with lanterns in the evening festival (Photo: Spring Takayama Festival)
The Autumn Takayama Festival is held at Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine
The trick dolls on the floats are a must-see! (Photo: Autumn Takayama Festival)
The floats with detailed craftsmanship are breathtaking (Photo: Autumn Takayama Festival)
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If you come to Japan, you have to experience the local festivals! The unique dances, traditional music, colorful costumes, and energetic cheers fill the festival with so much joy and excitement. You can really feel the lively atmosphere.
Taking part in the Takayama Festival was truly impressive. The parade features all kinds of performers—drum teams, dance groups, and traditional bands—dressed in gorgeous costumes, playing unique music, and dancing beautifully. It's a feast for the eyes and ears, and you really get to feel the charm of Japanese culture.
It's known as one of Japan's three most beautiful festivals, with the Sanno Festival in spring and the Hachiman Festival in autumn. Everyone, young and old, gets involved in the festivities. Lots of international tourists come too, so it's really hard to find a hotel room during the festival.
