Ornate yatai floats and a mechanical puppet performance bring Takayama’s old streets to life. The autumn festival centers on Sakurayama Hachimangu, not the spring festival’s shrine and float district.
Photo: Sjaak Kempe from Groningen, The Netherlands · CC BY 2.0
Original date label: 2013-10-09 03:53. Original or supplied resized image; no additional editing.
Takayama Autumn Festival dates
October 9–10, 2026
Upcoming confirmed edition
Event dates and times use Japan Standard Time (JST). Usual annual dates are not a confirmed booking schedule for the next edition. Check the organizer’s notices for daily times, admission and weather-related changes.
Where to watch
Takayama · 高山
Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine and the Shimomachi district
櫻山八幡宮・下町一帯
The map marks one reference point, not the entire route or every entrance. For village rites or moving processions, use the organizer’s venue map.
View reference location on Google Maps ↗Getting there by train or bus
From Nagoya, take the Hida limited express to Takayama Station. Walk through the old town toward Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine.
History and traditions
The Takayama festivals developed around the late 16th and early 17th centuries. The autumn Hachiman festival gives thanks for the harvest.
Nearby places to consider
These sights can help you plan the rest of your visit. Check each location’s opening hours and access separately; festival road closures may affect the journey.
Sanmachi Historic District
三町伝統的建造物群保存地区
Before you visit Takayama Autumn Festival
When is Takayama Autumn Festival?
October 9–10, 2026. The year shown belongs to this specific edition, not an automatically repeated future booking date. Check the linked organizer for times and changes.
How do I get to Takayama Autumn Festival by public transportation?
From Nagoya, take the Hida limited express to Takayama Station. Walk through the old town toward Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine.
What should I plan before visiting Takayama Autumn Festival?
Plan around the puppet-performance times and inspect the float carvings between shows. Rain can change outdoor displays and the evening program; read the organizer’s latest notice before traveling.
These planning suggestions are JapanLiveNow’s editorial advice. Admission and operating arrangements follow the organizer’s current program.
Official program and visitor information
- www.hida.jp — official festival or destination information ↗
- www.hidatakayama.or.jp — official festival or destination information ↗
- www.japan.travel — official festival or destination information ↗
- www.japan.travel — official festival or destination information ↗
This guide uses the shared festival source register reviewed on October 3, 2026. Official notices take priority over archive photos and previous editions.