Takayama Spring Festival (Sanno Matsuri) - One of Japan's Three Most Beautiful Festivals Held in Hida Takayama in April

The Takayama Spring Festival is an annual traditional festival held on April 14th and 15th at Hie Shrine in Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture, and is recognized as one of Japan's Three Most Beautiful Festivals. Officially known as Sanno Matsuri, this festival has its origins during the late 16th to early 17th centuries when the Kanamori clan developed the Takayama castle town, boasting over 400 years of history. In 2016, it was registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage under "Yama, Hoko, Yatai: Float festivals in Japan," recognized as a precious cultural asset that transmits the skills of Hida craftsmen and townspeople's culture to the present day. The festival's greatest highlight is the "Yatai Hikisoro-e" (Float Parade), where 12 magnificent and gorgeous floats line up in Takayama's old town district. Each float, standing approximately 7-8 meters tall, showcases the exquisite techniques of Hida craftsmen in everything from intricate carvings, lacquer work, metal decorations, to Nishijin textile curtains, earning praise as "moving Yomeimon Gates" for their beauty. These floats have been created and maintained at the townspeople's own expense since the Edo period, and have been carefully passed down through generations by neighborhood "Yatai Groups." Particularly noteworthy is the "Karakuri Hono" (mechanical puppet performances) presented by three floats: Sanbaso-tai, Ishibashi-tai, and Ryujin-tai. These floats are equipped with stages where sophisticated karakuri puppets perform dances and acrobatics. When operating the puppets, approximately 24-35 strings per puppet are manipulated by 6-8 rope handlers working in perfect coordination. The festival shows different charms during day and night. During the day, visitors can appreciate the beauty of the floats showcasing the pinnacle of craftsmanship and the precise movements of the karakuri puppets. At night, each float is illuminated with about 100 lanterns, and the "Night Festival" begins as they parade around the Nakabashi area accompanied by flutes and drums. Often coinciding with cherry blossom season, the magical scenery created by night cherry blossoms and lantern light becomes a memory to last a lifetime. During the festival period, the "Gosunkyo" (Divine Procession) is also held, where the portable shrine of Hie Shrine parades through the castle town, and the gorgeous procession accompanied by samurai costumes and lion dances brings both solemnity and liveliness to the festival. The Takayama Festival is not merely a tourist event, but a living cultural heritage that local people have protected across generations, offering visitors the opportunity to experience the depth and beauty of Japan's traditional culture in this special ritual.