An autumn festival in Hida-Takayama, filled with master-crafted dashi and lantern-lit processions
Takayama Festival
The 2026 edition of Takayama Festival has ended.
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/10/09 〜 2026/10/10Ended
- Season / frequency
- Every year on the October 9 and 10th / Once a year (Autumn Takayama Festival)
- Location
- Around Sakurayama Hachiman Shrine
- Area
- Gifu Prefecture・Takayama City(From Tokyo: approx. 2 h–2 h 30 min · bullet train + connecting train)Prefecture-level estimate to a main station or airport, not the venue. Airport access, check-in and onward travel are extra; remote areas and islands can take much longer.
- Highlights and activities
- Participation / viewing
- Spectators welcome
- Official website / social media
- Official website
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
Centered around Sakurayama Hachiman Shrine, the Autumn Takayama Festival brings the town to life with showcasing the skill of local master craftsmen, karakuri mechanical puppets, and festival processions.
Photo credits and terms of use
Photographer: Bernard Gagnon File:Ebisu Tai Float.jpg / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 Own work by the contributorDisplay size only adjusted.May differ from the event currently featured.Photo credits and terms of use
Photographer: gundam2345 File:みそかいばし (岐阜県高山市本町) - panoramio (1).jpg / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 3.0 gundam2345 https://web.archive.org/web/20161025082311/http://www.panoramio.com/photo/73583415Display size only adjusted.May differ from the event currently featured.Photo credits and terms of use
Photographer: Mti File:Takayama festival Yatai Kaikan No,1.JPG / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 Own work by the contributorDisplay size only adjusted.May differ from the event currently featured.About Takayama Festival
Takayama Festival is the collective name for the spring Hie Shrine annual festival and the autumn Sakurayama Hachiman Shrine annual festival.
The Autumn Takayama Festival, also known as the Hachiman Festival, is held around Sakurayama Hachiman Shrine and has been passed down by local residents working together with the shrine.
It brings together local traditions, including magnificent dashi, karakuri puppets, lion dances, and festival processions.
Source: 高山祭の楽しみ方｜特集｜【公式】飛騨高山旅ガイド｜岐阜県高山市の観光・イベント情報！ / 秋の高山祭（八幡祭）｜イベント｜【公式】飛騨高山旅ガイド｜岐阜県高山市の観光・イベント情報！
Festival highlights
A highlight is the magnificent dashi, showcasing the craftsmanship of Hida's master artisans.
Enjoy the techniques used to turn the dashi with turning wheels, as well as the deft movements of the karakuri puppets.
On the evening of the 9th, lantern-lit dashi slowly make their way through town, creating a different atmosphere from the daytime.
An autumn festival in Hida-Takayama, filled with master-crafted dashi and lantern-lit processions
What to expect
The festival includes dashi displays, karakuri puppet performances, a festival procession known as Goshinko, and the evening festival.
Karakuri puppet performances are held on the grounds of Sakurayama Hachiman Shrine, while a festival procession led by a shishimai lion dance moves through the ' districts.
During the evening festival, lantern-lit dashi are pulled through town in procession.
How to take part
Takayama Festival is a festival where visitors can watch dashi, festival processions, karakuri hono, and other events.
At the Autumn Takayama Festival, dashi events take place around Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine, and during the Yoimatsuri, lantern-lit dashi parade through the town.
General visitors can watch the events at locations where festival activities take place, such as around Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine and in ujiko districts.
The times and locations vary by event, including the lineup of dashi, karakuri hono, goshinko, and the Yoimatsuri.
Please follow the guidance of staff and guides when viewing the festival in the festival area.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Around Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine (178 Sakura-machi, Takayama, Gifu Prefecture)
- Train and bus
Takayama City can be reached by JR limited express trains and highway buses.
Due to traffic restrictions in the festival area, some Machinami Bus and Takumi Bus services will be suspended or rerouted.
Free shuttle buses run from the Takumigaoka temporary parking lot to Takayama City Cultural Hall.
- By car
Vehicles cannot enter the festival area.
Please use permanent or temporary parking lots outside the restricted area.
- Parking
In addition to the Takumigaoka temporary parking lot, temporary parking lots will open at the former Takayama Police Station site and the former Legal Affairs Bureau site when the main lot is full.
Shuttle buses from the Takumigaoka temporary parking lot run approximately every 20–30 minutes.
Source: 高山市内を運行するバス交通のご案内｜高山市
Address 178 Sakuramachi, Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture
Dates and season
2026 Event Information (the published dates have passed)
The 2026 Autumn Takayama Festival had been announced as scheduled to run from October 9 (Friday) through October 10 (Saturday).
On the 9th, the program includes dashi displays, karakuri puppet performances, Goshinko, and the evening festival.
Dashi displays, karakuri puppet performances, and the festival procession are also scheduled for the 10th.
Events may be canceled due to weather, but the dates will not be rescheduled.
Accommodation and hotels PR
Showing nearby accommodation.
Prices and availability are current at the time of retrieval. For multi-night stays, only the first night’s price is shown. Confirm the final price and directions to the venue with the booking provider. Select your dates again when using the area search link. Search area: within 3 km of Central Gifu Prefecture / Takayama City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
Please do not touch the dashi, and follow the instructions of staff and guides in areas with traffic restrictions.
It is dark during the Yoimatsuri, and areas around stalls near the can also be crowded, so visitors with small children should take particular care of their footing and surroundings.
Please take your rubbish home, and refrain from smoking on the street or flying drones or other unmanned aircraft.
Events may be changed or canceled in case of rain.
Nearby attractions
Near the festival venue are the Takayama Festival Floats Exhibition Hall, Sakurayama Nikko Museum, Sakurayama Hachiman Shrine, Kusakabe Folk Museum, Yoshijima House, and the Enako River walking path, among other attractions.
The Takayama Festival Floats Exhibition Hall offers visitors the opportunity to view dashi in rainy weather.
If you plan to visit these attractions alongside the festival, check each facility's opening status and visitor conditions.
光ミュージアム
岐阜県の博物館・美術館のスポットです。
城山公園
岐阜県高山市にある公園
大橋コレクション館
岐阜県高山市にある博物館
Hie Shrine
岐阜県高山市にある神社
飛騨一宮水無神社
岐阜県高山市にある神社
飛騨国分寺の大イチョウ
岐阜県高山市飛騨国分寺にある大イチョウ
飛騨護國神社
岐阜県高山市にある神社
飛驒民俗村
岐阜県高山市にある博物館
高山市政記念館
高山市の資料館
乗鞍岳
飛騨山脈南部の長野県松本市と岐阜県高山市にまたがる山
Origins and History of Takayama Festival
The Takayama Festival's dashi events were registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in December 2016.
It is said that the dashi procession at the autumn Hachiman Festival began in Kyoho 3 (1718).
Each dashi has been renovated or rebuilt over the centuries since the Edo period, preserving the designs and craftsmanship unique to each district.
Source: 高山祭屋台｜高山市
Official information
For official information, see the “Autumn Takayama Festival” page on the Hida Takayama Travel Guide website.
It lists the 2026 venue, dates, and visitor guidelines.
For inquiries, contact the Takayama City Tourism Division.
Takayama Festival at a Glance
Takayama Festival is the collective name for the spring and autumn reisai. The 2026 Autumn Takayama Festival had been announced as scheduled to run from October 9 through the 10th.
Around Sakurayama Hachiman Shrine, enjoy magnificent dashi, karakuri puppet performances, festival processions, and the lantern-lit evening festival.
Traffic restrictions are in place around the venue, so it is recommended that you visit by public transport or use designated parking lots.
Source: よくある質問｜飛騨高山旅ガイド｜高山市観光公式サイト
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/10/19
Articles about Takayama Festival
Submit information or a correction Submit photos of this festival
