Takayama’s autumn festival combines carved yatai floats with karakuri puppet performances around Sakurayama Hachimangu. It uses different floats and a different shrine area from the spring festival.
Takayama Autumn Festival dates
October 9–10, 2026
Upcoming confirmed edition
Dates and times use JST. The recorded dates apply only to the stated edition. Read the organiser’s programme for start times, tickets, postponements and cancellations.
Where to watch
Takayama · 高山
Sakurayama Hachimangu and the Shimomachi old-town area
櫻山八幡宮・下町一帯
Sakurayama Hachimangu, its Omotesando approach and the Shimomachi district form the autumn venue. Parade and evening-float routes vary by program; the spring festival uses Hie Shrine instead.
The directions below use one representative location, not every venue entrance or the complete procession route. Use the official venue map for your ticket or programme.
Getting there by train or bus
Take the JR Hida limited express from Nagoya to Takayama. Walk through the old town towards Sakurayama Hachimangu; do not head to the spring festival’s Hie Shrine instead.
Planning your visit
Arrive for the puppet performance you want to see, then examine float carvings between performances. Rain can keep floats indoors, so read the day’s official notice.
This is an editorial travel suggestion, not a claim of a personal visit or a guarantee of the programme. When travelling from Canada, use your Japan arrival date to select the festival day.
What to look for
- Ornate yatai floats
- Karakuri puppet performances
- First-night float displays
History and traditions
The wider Takayama festival tradition dates to around the late 16th or early 17th century. The autumn Hachiman festival gives thanks for the harvest.
Photo: Sjaak Kempe from Groningen, The Netherlands · CC BY 2.0. Original or supplied reduced image; no additional edits. See the original file for its date and context.
Nearby places to consider
Sanmachi Historic District · 三町伝統的建造物群保存地区
Historic merchant streets with wooden shopfronts.
Explore the shops, then walk toward Shimomachi; fit the walk around the puppet-performance schedule.
The description and suggested visit refer to the first attraction listed. Other links are separate nearby options; festival traffic and opening hours may affect your plans.
Takayama Autumn Festival questions
When is Takayama Autumn Festival?
October 9–10, 2026. These dates belong only to the stated edition; they do not confirm a later year.
How do I reach Takayama Autumn Festival by public transport?
Take the JR Hida limited express from Nagoya to Takayama. Walk through the old town towards Sakurayama Hachimangu; do not head to the spring festival’s Hie Shrine instead.
Do the spring and autumn festivals share a venue?
The spring festival belongs to Hie Shrine, while the autumn festival belongs to Sakurayama Hachimangu. Their float groups and event areas differ.
Official programme and sources
- Official reference · www.hida.jp ↗
- Official reference · www.hidatakayama.or.jp ↗
- Official reference · www.japan.travel ↗
- Official reference · www.japan.travel ↗
Shared source records reviewed October 3, 2026. Some official pages are in Japanese. JapanLiveNow’s English guide is independently edited; the organiser’s latest announcement takes precedence.