Takayama Spring Festival (Sanno Matsuri)
Twelve ornate Edo-era yatai floats with karakuri puppets parade through old Takayama, glowing with around 100 lanterns each at the night festival.
When · Where
- When
- 2027/04/14 – 2027/04/15
- Where
- Hie Shrine and Takayama old town (Sanmachi)（156 Shiroyama, Takayama, Gifu (Hie Shrine)）
- City
- Nagoya
- Getting there
- ~12 min walk from JR Takayama Station (~2.5 hr by limited express from Nagoya).
- Price
- Free
- Organizer
- Hie Shrine / Takayama Festival Preservation Association
Good to know for visitors
- Getting there
- ~12 min walk from JR Takayama Station (~2.5 hr by limited express from Nagoya). Open directions in Google Maps ↗
- Booking & entry
- Free to attend — details on the official page (button above).
- Language
- Mostly in Japanese — a translation app on your phone helps.
- Good for
- culture seekers, families, art lovers
Highlights
- Twelve elaborate yatai floats on display
- Karakuri marionette performances
- Night festival with lantern-lit floats on April 14
Background & story
Sanno Matsuri is the spring festival of Hie Shrine in southern Takayama; its Edo-period float culture is UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Good to know
The karakuri shows and April 14 night procession draw the biggest crowds — arrive early.