May
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
This event has been canceled as a precautionary measure against the novel coronavirus.
Rent a traditional kimono or men’s kamishimo to wear while sightseeing in Takayama, with discount entrance to tourist facilities.
- Date
Sep. 15(Sat.)16(Sun.)17(Mon.)22(Sat.)23(Sun.)24(Mon.) Oct.6(Sat.)7(Sun.)8(Mon.)9(Tue.)10(Wed.)13(Sat.)14(Sun.)20(Sat.)21(Sun.)27(Sat.)28(Sun.) in 2018
- Business Hours
Saturday, Sunday, and National holiday in April, May, September, October and Takayama festival period. Reception time: 9:00 a.m. ~ 2:30 p.m.
- Fee
3,000 yen for 2 hours (After 2 hours, 500 yen is charged in every 30 minutes.)
Please return Kinomo before 6p.m.- Address
Takayama Traditional Culture and Crafts Square
35-1 Kami ichinomachi, Takayama City- Contact
+81-577-70-8290
- Access
15 min. walk from JR Takayama station
- Website
Mizubasho in bloom
These mizubasho (small white calla lilies), which are designated as a Gifu Prefectural natural treasure, grow abundantly on an area of about one hectare and display their snow-white flowers across the entire marsh surrounded by the swampland near the Yamanaka Pass, 1,375 meters above sea level.
- Date
Late April each year
Opening of hiking season at Mt. Norikura to climbers - Norikura Skyline is open
This high area consisting of 23 ridges, 7 lakes, and 8 plains is collectively referred to as Mt. Norikura. The highest peak is Mt. Kengamine, 3,026 meters above sea level. You can travel up the mountain along the Norikura Skyline, Japan’s highest-altitude mountain road, to a height of 2,700 meters without stopping.
- Date
From May 15 to late October
Banryu Festival (opening of the climbing season at the Northern Alps)
This festival is held each year to pray for the safety of those climbing the Northern Alps. Praising the great accomplishments of the holy priest Banryu, who founded the worship of Mt. Yarigatake and Mt. Kasagatake, representatives of various fields get together to hold this festival in the Onoue Park clad in fresh verdure. Following a Shinto ritual, local performing arts such as Torigei (dance of fighting cocks and hens) and Henbetori (lion dance representing a legend of defeating evil snake) are dedicated to god of mountain.
- Date
Early May each year
Annual Hida Sosha Festival
This is the annual festival of the grand sanctuary enshrining most guardian gods of Hida. A worship service attended by approximately 1,000 people is like viewing an Edo era picture scroll. Do not miss seeing Kaguradai (a sacred music and dancing platform) which is designated as a prefectural cultural asset.
- Date
May 4 & 5 each year
Kinzojishi (Kinzo lion dance)
This valiant, lively, and original dance is a unique expression of the story where the evil lion who plays the mischief with the village is punished by the god Kinzo and the goddess Okame.
- Date
May 3 & 4 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, 2024 exc. April 14
- 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 6, 2024
- 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 22 - May 5, 2024
- 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.