The Spring Takayama Festival, or Sanno Matsuri, is held annually on April 14 and 15 in the city of Takayama, Gifu Prefecture. This event serves as the annual festival for the Hie Shrine and is widely considered one of the most beautiful celebrations in Japan. Its historical significance and the preservation of traditional crafts have earned it a designation as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.
The festival’s primary attraction is the display and procession of twelve ornate floats, known as yatai. These structures are masterpieces of Edo-period craftsmanship, featuring intricate woodcarvings, high-quality lacquerwork, and detailed metal ornaments produced by local artisans. Several of these floats are equipped with karakuri ningyo—sophisticated mechanical marionettes. Controlled by hidden puppeteers using a complex system of strings and pulleys, these puppets perform traditional vignettes for the gathered crowds.
In addition to the floats, a large Shinto procession moves through the streets. Hundreds of participants dressed in traditional kamishimo (formal samurai attire) and other period costumes escort a mikoshi, or portable shrine. This ritual serves to transport the shrine’s deity through the town, accompanied by the sounds of traditional flute and drum music.
On the evening of April 14, the Yomatsuri (night festival) takes place. Each float is adorned with approximately 100 lit lanterns and paraded through the preserved Sanmachi district. The soft glow of the lanterns illuminates the intricate details of the yatai against the dark, historic wooden architecture of the old town, providing a distinct atmosphere compared to the daytime festivities.
Takayama is accessible via the JR Hida Limited Express from Nagoya or by highway bus from major cities like Tokyo and Osaka. Because the festival dates are fixed to April 14 and 15 regardless of the day of the week, accommodation in the city often sells out six months in advance. Visitors arriving for the daytime processions should head toward the Nakabashi Bridge for the most iconic views of the yatai crossing the river. Please note that in the event of rain, the floats remain in their storehouses (yatai-gura), though the doors are typically opened for public viewing.