Plenty to see! Three Japanese Festivals for Families

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Traveling with the Family? Check Out These 3 Festivals in Tokai

(Clockwise from top) Popular festivals in the Tokai area include the Furukawa Festival, Takayama Spring Festival, and Ofuna Festival.

Of the many historic festivals and events throughout Japan, there are a lot that even kids will enjoy, mainly for their gorgeous and impressive floats. Here are three festivals in the Tokai area that we highly recommend.

Spring Takayama Festival in Gifu

Catch cherry blossoms and majestic floats at the Takayama Festival.

Takayama Festival is a festival held twice a year in Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture. It is the generic name for the annual Sanno Festival, which is held every spring at the Hie Shrine on April 14 and 15, and the Hachiman Festival held at Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine every autumn on October 9 and 10. This festival has been designated as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Along with the Gion Festival held in Kyoto City and the Chichibu Night Festival held in Chichibu City in Saitama, it is considered one of three major beautiful festivals in Japan.

The event’s highlight is its dashi floats, and you are sure to be stunned by their sheer size and magnificent decorations.

Takayama Spring Festival has 12 floats, considered the treasures of the Sanno Matsuri group of floats that appears on the south side of Yasukawa Dori, the festival’s venue. Three of them have dance performances by karakuri or mechanical dolls controlled by 36 strings. Kids will be fascinated by these colorful festival floats and traditional Japanese performances by skilled puppeteers!

Gigantic, intricately made floats will amaze visitors (and kids) who attend and participate in the festival.

Event Date: Annually on April 14 and 15 (Please check the official website for the latest schedules and information.)

Access: From Tokyo Station to Takayama, take the Tokaido Shinkansen for about 1 hour and 50 minutes to Nagoya Station. Then, from Nagoya Station, take the JR Takayama Main Line Limited Express Wide View Hida to Takayama Station in around 2 hours 20 minutes. It takes about 12 minutes on foot from JR Takayama Station to the event area.

Furukawa Festival in Gifu

(Left) Men parading a yagura (raised platform) and stunning floats (right) are the highlights of the Furukawa Festival.

Furukawa Festival is held annually on April 19 and 20 in Furukawa-cho, Hida City, Gifu Prefecture (formerly Furukawa-cho, Yoshiki-gun). At the festival, a solemn shrine procession of nine beautifully decorated floats is held at Keta Wakamiya Shrine.

A highlight of this traditional Shinto ritual is the Okoshi Taiko or unique drum performance. Picture hundreds of shirtless men in bleached cloth carrying a yagura (raised platform) and patrolling the town while beating taiko drums on the yagura. We were surprised at the loud sound that echoed throughout the town! These sights and sounds should keep both children and adults entertained.

Furukawa Festival has been designated as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Tall, majestic floats are the center of attention at the Furukawa Festival.

Event Date: Annually every April 19 and 20 (Please check the official website for the latest schedules and information.)

Access: The venue is a short walk from JR Hida Furukawa Station, which is next to Takayama Station.

Ofuna Festival in Mie

Participants of the Ofuna Festival attend the event to pray for maritime safety. Fishing flags dedicated to fishermen and maritime officials flutter in the grounds of the Aominesan Shoufukuji Temple.

Popular among worshipers, the Ofuna Festival is held at Aominesan Shoufukuji Temple in Toba City, Mie Prefecture, to pray for maritime safety. Big, colorful fishing flags dedicated to fishermen and maritime officials from all over the country flutter in the temple grounds, and they are truly masterpieces! The eleven-faced Kannon of the principal idol, which legend says came from the Sea of Osatsu on a whale, will be opened.

Event Date: March 1 (January 18 on the lunar calendar. Please check the official website for the latest schedules and information.)

Access: Take a taxi from Ise IC via Ise-Futami-Toba Line, about 30 minutes.

Tips for enjoying festivals:

1. Take measures against the heat and coldness at outdoor events

Winter in Japan gets pretty cold, so make sure to protect yourself from the freezing temperatures with winter items like a scarf, gloves, and hat. Additionally, it is recommended to wear two pairs of socks and undergarments to protect against the cold. Be just as vigilant in taking measures against the heat and heat stroke in the summer months of July and August, too!

2. To avoid blocking the traffic, keep walking and hold your child's hand tightly during crowded festivals

When parades are held on the main street, lots of people gather to see the spectacular floats and parades. In a crowd, avoid stopping on your tracks or it may cause traffic problems or get in the way of the people walking around you. Also, make sure to hold your child’s hand so he or she doesn’t get lost in the crowd.

During a festival, certain roads may be closed to traffic, so check the official website for information in advance. The official website will also inform you if the festival you plan to attend sells tickets for a fee.

3. Find out about transportation timetable changes and toilets locations

On the days of big events, traffic restrictions may be imposed and public transportation may run on special schedules. Be sure to check the transportation schedule so that if someone in your family gets tired, you can head back to your accommodations fast and without any issues.
Also, be sure to find out the location of public restrooms. This way you can enjoy drinks and snacks without worrying about toilet breaks.