[Hida Takayama, Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture] Festival flags flutter in front of JR Takayama Station, signaling the Autumn Takayama Festival!
Takayama City Press release: September 25, 2025 To Members of the Press [Hida Takayama, Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture] Festival flags flutter in front of JR Takayama Station, signaling the Autumn Takayama Festival is just around the corner! The Autumn Takayama Festival (Hachiman Festival) will be held in Hida Takayama on October 9th and 10th.
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https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/124925/291/124925-291-45d0342d7f7f27e87b25cf9185cbcd93-3900×2600.jpg The Hachiman Festival, which bathes Takayama in the colors of autumn, is the annual festival of Sakurayama Hachiman Shrine, the guardian deity of the northern half of the former Takayama castle town. Every year on October 9th and 10th, 11 floats (※) appear on the north side of Yasukawa Street. You can enjoy traditional festival events such as the floats being paraded around town and the dedication of the Hotei-dai karakuri (mechanical float) decorations. The festival originated during the time of the Kanamori clan, feudal lords of Hida (1585-1692). The floats are said to have first appeared around 1718, and are a testament to the craftsmanship of artisans, with displays of puppetry showcasing skillful movements and elaborately designed return floats.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/124925/291/124925-291-c5072efe5d7e5c69167ba7f6dd454b2f-2088×1392.jpg During the Hachiman Festival, 11 “festival floats,” also known as moving Yomeimon gates, are pulled together, showcasing their magnificent splendor. In addition, a festival procession called the Goshinko, consisting of hundreds of people dressed in traditional costumes such as toukeiraku (cockfighting musicians) and
kamishimo-sugata (traditional formal attire), parades the festival area accompanied by music, gagaku (traditional Japanese court music), and lion dances. The Yoi Matsuri (evening festival) begins in the evening, with each float lit with approximately 100 lanterns, beautifully decorating the night darkness. The Takayama Festival raises the spirits of the people of Hida. This is Takayama’s unwavering pride. Schedule ●Thursday, October 9, 2025 Float Parade: 9:00-17:00 (In case of rain, the floats will be unveiled at their respective storehouses or festival halls) Karakuri Dedication: 12:00-12:20, 14:00-14:20 (In case of rain, the event will be held at Sakurayama Nikkokan) Goshinko (Festival Procession): 13:20-15:30 Float Parade: 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM (Cancelled in case of rain) Eve Festival: 6:15 PM – 8:30 PM (Cancelled in case of rain) ●Friday, October 10, 2025 Float Parade: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM (In case of rain, the parade will be held at each float storehouse or festival hall) Karakuri
Dedication: 11:00 AM – 11:20 AM, 1:00 PM – 1:20 PM (In case of rain, the parade will be held at Sakurayama Nikkokan) Goshinko (Festival Procession): 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM, 1:30 PM – 4:00 PM Highlights of the Festival Float Parade ~ A spectacular sight of gorgeous floats lined up ~ On both the 9th and 10th, the Hotei float, which displays its Karakuri offerings, is pulled into the grounds of Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine, while the other floats are lined up on the main approach. You can enjoy a close-up view of the 11* floats, all designated Important Tangible Folk Cultural Properties of Japan. You can see the essence of traditional techniques, such as the carvings, gorgeous farewell curtains, and decorative dolls that are the skills of Hida artisans. *Due to the ongoing repairs of the Gyōjindai floats, only 10 floats will be open to the public.
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https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/124925/291/124925-291-9b160fa852a3c71e5451d3133e1d378b-2506×1673.jpg Karakuri Offering – Mesmerizing Karakuri Dolls with Exquisite Movements The Karakuri offerings using Hotei-dai will be performed twice a day on both the 9th and 10th within the grounds of Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine. Don’t miss the stunt in which two Chinese children jump onto Hotei’s shoulders and the performance in which a flag appears from Hotei’s fan. You can enjoy the skilled rope handling of the rope handlers, who cannot be seen from the outside. Evening Festival – Lantern-lit floats create a fantastical atmosphere – During the evening festival on the 9th, you can experience the charm of the Takayama Festival, which is different from the daytime festival. As the sun sets, approximately 100 lanterns are lit on each float, and they slowly parade through the town before returning to their respective storehouses while singing the farewell song “Takai Yama” (High Mountain). The fantastical sight against the backdrop of the night view will leave an indescribable impression on your heart.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/124925/291/124925-291-ba22ebc98588c6f16e84be121b69d532-2508×1672.jpg Inquiries on the day An information center will be open on the day. Opening hours: October 9, 2020 (Thursday) 9:00-21:00 (until 17:30 if the evening festival is canceled) October 10, 2020 (Friday) 9:00-16:00 Location: Sakurayama Hachiman Shrine Omotesando Special Tent (Sakuramachi, Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture) Phone: 0577-36-1131 (Same-day number) Hida Takayama Tourism and Convention Association Homepage For more information about this release
