The Takayama Festival is the collective
name for the Sanno Matsuri of spring and
the Hachiman Matsuri held at Sakurayama
Hachimangu Shrine in October, and is
considered one the most beautiful
festivals of Japan. A large parade of
1,000 people is staged, making you feel as
if you have slipped back to the 15th
Century, especially because of the
costumes and music performances.
Most popular are the Tokeiraku parade of
people wearing hats adorned with bird
feathers who sound bells and beat drums,
and the shishimai lion dance which is
performed by dancers wearing head gear
designed like a lion's head. These are
followed by the parade of over 10 gorgeous
floats called yatai. These yatai floats
have all kinds of contrivances, such as
marionettes which move so dexterously,
taking the spectators by surprise. Once
evening falls, 100 paper lanterns adorn
these floats, producing an even more
beautiful sight. The wonderful
technologies of western and eastern Japan
that existed in the Edo Period (17th-19th
Century) are fully utilized in this
festival. This is the pride of Takayama
city which formerly boasted outstanding
artisans such as carpenters and sculptors.
Takayama, where the sublime mountains of
the Northern Alps soar nearby, is called
’the little Kyoto of the Hida region,’
and you can enjoy looking at the old rows
of houses and streets as you take a
stroll. Even if it rains, you can view the
floats without getting wet from the float
storehouse with its doors wide open. If
you wish to learn more about the yatai
floats, you should visit the Takayama
Yatai Kaikan.
Group Tour | Deluxe-Plus
10 Days 9 Nights | from US $7098.00 (Limit to 16 guests)
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Group Tour | Deluxe-Plus
14 Days 13 Nights | from US $9298.00 (Limit to 16 guests)
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