Takayama Matsuri is held twice yearly; the autumn edition takes place around Sakurayama Hachiman Shrine on 9–10 October amid peak foliage colour. Eleven ornate yatai floats decorated with intricate lacquerwork, gilding, and Nishijin textiles are paraded through Takayama's Edo-period streetscape. After dark, the floats are illuminated by hundreds of lanterns in a lantern procession (yomatsuri) that transforms the old town into a living museum.
- Type
- Festival
- Category
- Matsuri
- Season
- Autumn
- Month
- 9–10 October
- Region
- Chubu
- Prefecture
- Gifu
- City
- Takayama
Highlights
- ◆Eleven spectacular lacquered and gilded yatai floats
- ◆Karakuri mechanical puppet demonstrations on select floats
- ◆Evening lantern procession through Edo-period streets
- ◆Autumn foliage as a stunning natural backdrop
- ◆Ranked among Japan's top three most beautiful festivals