The Spring Takayama Festival

This unique historical Festival encompasses the spring “Sanno Matsuri” and the autumn “Hachiman Matsuri” and it is believed to have originated in the late 16th to 17th centuries.
Recognized as one of Japan’s three most beautiful festivals and a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, it showcases the rich cultural heritage of the region.
The “Sanno Matsuri” is celebrated annually on April 14 and 15 at the Hie Shrine, marking the spring event of the festival.

The festival features eleven ornately decorated floats, known as “Matsuri-yatai,” which are designated as Important Tangible Folk Cultural Properties of Japan. These floats are part of a grand procession involving hundreds of participants dressed in traditional attire, offering a stunning visual spectacle.

A highlight is the evening of the 14th, when the floats, adorned with up to 100 lanterns each, parade through the streets of Takayama, presenting a breathtaking contrast against the town’s dark evening backdrop, and offering a different, enchanting atmosphere compared to the daytime festivities.