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.
Highlights
-
One of Japan’s Most Beautiful Festivals.
-
Sanno Festival in spring and Hachiman Festival in fall are called Takayama Festival.
-
A tradition for hundreds of people dressed in traditional attire to march along the town.
-
Brilliant festival floats, the national intangible cultural properties, are a must-see.
-
In the evening festival, the floats with lanterns lit are tantalizing.