Takayama Spring Festival

A traditional spring festival held annually in April in Takayama, Gifu Prefecture, continuing from the Edo period. Featuring magnificent festival floats and lion dances, the festival transforms the entire town into a celebration. The intricately and lavishly decorated floats are considered masterpieces of Oriental festival artistry. Regarded as one of Japan's three most beautiful festivals and acclaimed internationally.

A spring festival held every April at Takayama Hachiman Shrine in Gifu Prefecture. Characterized by elaborate decorated floats and lion dances, it has continued since the Edo period. Designated as Japan's Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property, it features 11 ornately carved festival floats parading through the streets in spectacular fashion.

A festival held twice annually in spring and fall in Takayama, Gifu Prefecture. A tradition from the Edo period, elaborate floats decorated with intricate carvings and lanterns parade through town. Floats feature complex mechanized puppets known for technical precision. Counted among Japan's three major festivals and registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. Festival culture integrated with Takayama's town.

Festival held on April 15th annually at Sanno Shrine (Hie Shrine) in Takayama, Gifu. Like the Hachiman festival, it features 11 ornate floats and represents the historical culture of Takayama, whose Edo-period streetscape is perfectly preserved. The centerpiece of Takayama's spring festival season.

A spring traditional festival held annually in April in Inuyama, Aichi Prefecture, celebrating the castle town's heritage. Thirteen elaborate festival floats, each preserving Edo-period aesthetics, parade through the streets by day and are illuminated by lanterns at night, creating a magical spectacle. With over 380 years of history, it stands as a significant cultural event in the Owari region.

The grand festivals of Hie Shrine (spring) and Sakurayama Hachimangu (autumn) in Takayama, Gifu. The spectacular sight of ornate floats—called 'moving Yomeimon gates'—parading through the old streets of 'Little Kyoto' Takayama is breathtaking. Inscribed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2016, it is counted among Japan's Three Most Beautiful Festivals.