One of the most famous festivals in Japan: Takayama matsuri

Takayama matsuri is famous festival in Japan and one of the three most beautiful matsuri in the country: Gion Matsuri in Kyoto and Chichibu Matsuri in Saitama prefecture. Also it is registered as a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage in 2016 together with other festivals in Japan. 

The Takayama Festival is held in Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture, only a few hours from Tokyo by trains.
The event is biannual. It is therefore possible to attend during spring, from April 14th to 15th, at the Hie-jinja shrine located in the southeast zone of the city or during autumn, from October 9th to 10th, at the Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine in the northeastern part of the city.

Wind-up dolls on the decorative floats
 

Nobody really knows the origins and the history of the event. However, the parades would date back to around the 16th century, between the Azuchi-Momoyama period and the beginning of the Edo era.

Spectators, numerous and enthusiastic, rush along the Miyagawa River for the chance to see the huge floats on wheels called "yatai". These great traditional constructions are classified "Intangible goods of Japanese culture" by Japanese law. Hundreds of festival-goers shoot the yatai, 12 in the spring and 11 in the autumn, scrolling through the city. If time does not permit, the parade is simply canceled. They are then exposed in galleries and in sheds provided for this purpose.
At other times of the day, remarkable parades are organized. Karakuri Ningyo (wind-up doll) is a breathtaking spectacle of real hand puppets, some are handled by more than 8 people, playing background of the yatai.

The tanks exposed in a shed
 

On the last day, April 14 and October 9, the festival reaches its peak. Illuminated by lanterns, the immense yatai parade during the night illuminate every nook and cranny of the city.
The spectators, having attended the Takayama matsuri, describe this moment as being an unforgettable moment.

Dragon head on a yatai


Takayama Matsuri is very famous and very popular, so it is advisable to book your hotel and transport well in advance to avoid unpleasant surprises.