Gifu Prefecture – Spring Takayama Festival (Sannou Festival)

The 12 festival floats used in this event are considered to be Important Tangible Folk Cultural Properties of Japan. Each of the stalls has its own name and unique design. 3 of the 12 floats have mechanical dolls attached to them, and the delicate movements of the dolls when they perform are almost lifelike.

During this event, a group of hundreds of people wearing traditional clothing march through the city to the beat of the festival’s music. Other events include a mikoshi (portable shrine) procession, lion dancing, and a traditional art form known as “toukeiraku” (“cockfighting music”).

On the evening of April 14th, lights on the floats are switched on. This allows guests to enjoy the floats’ beauty in a different way than in the daytime, and it creates a fantastical atmosphere.
Each float slowly makes its rounds through town, playing a parting song called “Takai Yama” (“Tall Mountain”) as they return to their storehouses. Sorrow seems to hang in the air during the night festival.