Surrounded by mountains, Takayama is one of the popular tourist destinations in Japan. Charming wooden old houses lined with the streets, morning markets, breweries and local cuisine, Takayama has much to offer to tourists. Above all, one of the three most beautiful festivals in Japan, the Takayama Festival is special.
The festival is held twice a year in April at Hie Shrine and in October at Sakurayama-Hachimangu Shrine for about 400 years. Though I have visited there many times since I was a child, it was my first experience to see the festival.
The highlight is gorgeous floats and a procession of people in historical costumes. What surprised me is family crests can be seen on their costumes, which means each family has own costume. I learned later that people in Takayama follow the tradition to join the festival with their own costumes when the festival is held in their communities.
In Tokyo, outside people or part-timers help festivals due to the lack of participants in many places. Considering the situation, I think it’s great that the tradition has passed on from generation to generation in Takayama.
After the festival, let’s take a break. I found a new cafe just opened in April. Run by a sake brewery, Cafe Ao is located in the preservation district which attracts many tourists. The owner’s residence with 140 years history was converted to a cozy cafe with a nice inner garden. They offer Japanese tea, coffee, fruit juice and sake together with varieties of sweets.
Cafe Ao (map)
67 kami-Sannomachi, Takayama-shi, Gifu
Open 10:00-17:00 daily