Autumn Takayama Festival opens in Gifu with ornate floats; 200,000 visitors expected
In short
The Autumn Takayama Festival began on October 9 in Takayama, Gifu Prefecture, with decorated festival floats lined up along the approach to Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine. Nippon TV reported that nine floats were assembled and that about 200,000 visitors are expected over the two days. The festival runs until October 10.
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The Autumn Takayama Festival, a seasonal event that colours the old streets of the former castle town, began on October 9 in Takayama, Gifu Prefecture, Sankei Shimbun reported. Lavishly decorated floats were lined up along the approach to and within the grounds of Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine in a display known as yatai hikisoroe. The festival continues until October 10. [ 3 , 4 ]
Nippon TV reported that from the morning of October 9 the floats, which it said are designated national Important Tangible Folk Cultural Properties, were pulled out and moved through the town with creaking sounds. When nine floats were assembled on the shrine's main approach, visitors photographed them. A karakuri puppet offering by the Hotei-tai (布袋台) float and an evening festival were scheduled for the afternoon of October 9, the broadcaster said, and about 200,000 visitors are expected over the festival. [ 4 ]
Under clear autumn skies, the area was crowded with tourists trying to capture the sound of the festival music and the view, Sankei reported. Tadashi Tashiro (田城忠), 68, an unemployed visitor from Utsunomiya who said this was his sixth visit including the spring festival, told Sankei that the decoration of the floats was delicate and the embroidery beautiful, and that the trip had been worth it. [ 3 ]
According to the city, the autumn festival is said to have begun more than 300 years ago to give thanks for the year's harvest, Sankei reported. The festival is designated a national Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property and is known, together with Kyoto's Gion Festival and Saitama's Chichibu Night Festival, as one of Japan's three great float festivals. [ 3 ]
Tokyo Shimbun, Nishi-Nippon Shimbun and Yomiuri Shimbun also reported the opening, describing the ornate floats assembled in the former castle town. [ 1 , 2 , 5 ]
Why it matters
The festival is designated a national Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property and is known as one of Japan's three great float festivals, according to Sankei Shimbun, and five outlets covered its opening. With about 200,000 visitors expected, it is a major tourism event for the city of Takayama.
Key facts
- The Autumn Takayama Festival began on October 9 in Takayama, Gifu Prefecture, and runs until October 10. [ 3 , 4 ]
- Decorated floats were lined up along the approach to and grounds of Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine in a display called yatai hikisoroe. [ 3 , 4 ]
- Nine floats were assembled on the shrine's main approach, Nippon TV reported. [ 4 ]
- About 200,000 visitors are expected, according to Nippon TV. [ 4 ]
- A karakuri puppet offering by the Hotei-tai (布袋台) float and an evening festival were scheduled for the afternoon of October 9. [ 4 ]
- The city says the festival began more than 300 years ago to give thanks for the year's harvest, Sankei reported. [ 3 ]
- The festival is a national Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property and is known with Kyoto's Gion Festival and Saitama's Chichibu Night Festival as one of Japan's three great float festivals, Sankei reported. [ 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Whether the expected attendance of about 200,000 will be reached. Only Nippon TV gives the forecast, and the festival continues on October 10.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Tokyo Shimbun reports the opening of the Autumn Takayama Festival. [ 1 ]
- Sankei Shimbun reports the float line-up at Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine and the festival's run until October 10. [ 3 ]
- Nippon TV reports nine floats assembled, about 200,000 visitors expected, and a karakuri offering and evening festival planned for the afternoon. [ 4 ]
- Yomiuri Shimbun reports the floats assembled. [ 5 ]