April
Hida Takayama Hina Doll Festival
The doll (Hina) festival is celebrated one month later than the traditional Doll’s Day in Takayama so that the actual festival day is April 3. Approximately one month before the festival day, traditional (Hina) dolls such as clay dolls, antique dolls, Meiji era dolls, etc. are displayed at various locations throughout the city. Places: Various locations throughout the city, including tourist facilities and historic houses such as Hida-no-Sato (Hida Folk Village)
- Date
From March 1 to April 3 each year
Garakuta Fair (Jumble market)
An antique fair started in 1982. Held on the first Sunday of the month from April to October. The streets are temporarily closed to vehicles (called “pedestrians’ paradise”) and over 20 art dealers have stalls on the street. You will enjoy looking at olden daily-life utensils while strolling down the street.
- Date
First Sunday of the month, from April to October each year
Cherry trees in bloom
Hida Takayama has many fine spots from which you can view magnificent cherry trees in bloom, such as the Garyu Cherry Tree and the Shokawa Cherry Tree.
- Date
From mid April to early May
Hida Takayama Kimono Walk
Rent a traditional kimono or men’s kamishimo to wear while sightseeing in Takayama, with discount entrance to tourist facilities.
- Date
April 26 - May 31, 2025
- Business Hours
Reception time:9:00 a.m.~2:30 p.m.
Reservation only on weekends- Fee
3,000 yen for 2 hours (After 2 hours, 500 yen is charged in every 30 minutes.)
Please return Kinomo before 5p.m.- Address
Nakabashi Tourist information
Office 1-2 Hon-machi,Takayama- Contact
+81-(0)577-36-1011
- Access
15 min. walk from JR Takayama station
- Website
Spring Takayama Festival
One of the three most beautiful festivals of Japan: twelve gorgeous decorative floats are pulled in a festival procession on the red-colored Nakabashi Bridge and Shinmeidori Street; in particular, karakuri marionettes operated for god on three floats (Sanba-so, Ryujin-tai, and Shakkyo-tai floats) are the highlight of the festival. In the evening, a night festival continues while festival floats are led by the festival procession, which parades through the streets.
- Date
April 14 & 15 each year
- Website
Hida Live Dolls Festival
Single women selected from all over Hida render service at a Shinto shrine, attired in costumes of the Empress, consort, ministers, and court ladies. The parade of Live Dolls, as it winds through the village, looks as if it were right out of a picture scroll of the Heian period. Rice cakes are scattered at the end of the festival.
- Date
April 3 each year
Nakabashi Bridge illuminated in spring
The red Naka-bashi Bridge, the symbol of Takayama, is illuminated. The bridge, which is lively during the day, is transformed into a calm atmosphere at night. Naka-bashi bridge is a perfect match with cherry blossoms and fresh greenery.
- Date
April 1 - May 6, 2025
- Business Hours
18:20 - 21:30
- Fee
Free
- Address
Miyagawa Naka-bashi bridge
- Contact
Hida-Takayama Tourism and Convention Bureau 0577-36-1011
- Access
Approximately 10 minutes on foot from JR Takayama station
Enakogawa River illuminated in spring
The Enako River flows quietly through the town. The cherry blossoms and pine trees lining the river are beautifully illuminated, creating an atmospheric night scene. Recommended for a night stroll with a camera in hand.
- Date
April 1 - May 25, 2025
- Business Hours
18:20 - 21:30
- Fee
Free
- Address
Along Enakogawa river
- Contact
Hida-Takayama Tourism and Convention Bureau 0577-36-1011
- Access
Approximately 10 minutes on foot from JR Takayama station
Tochio Onsen Cherry Blossom illumination
Cherry blossoms in Okuhida Hot Spring Village normally bloom about one month later than in the plains, around the end of April. In Okuhida, cherry blossoms bloom earliest in Tochio Onsen, and gradually the cherry blossoms in the higher elevation hot spring areas bloom until mid-May. In the Tochio Hot Spring Toya area, cherry trees and surrounding area of the open-air bath "Aragami-no-yu" will be illuminated with Bonbori lanterns to bring out the late spring in the Okuhida area. Also, during the daytime, the collaboration of moss phlox and cherry blossoms under the Toya Bridge is very beautiful and a great walking course.
- Date
April 23 - May 6,2025
- Business Hours
19:00 - 22:30
- Fee
Free
- Address
Tochio, Okuhida Onsenkyo, Takayama City, Gifu 506-1423,
- Contact
Okuhida-Onsengo Tourism Association 0578-89-2614
- Access
Approx. 77 minutes by bus from Takayama Nohi Bus Center to Shin Hotaka Onsen, approx. 3 minutes walk from Tochio Onsen stop.
Approximately 60 minutes by car from the Takayama IC of the Chubu Jukan Expressway, or approximately 75 minutes by car from the Matsumoto IC of the Nagano Expressway.