Takayama Illuminations

Illuminated evenings in Takayama

The area of Takayama, in Gifu Prefecture, is a window into the life of rural Japan in the Edo period (1603-1867). Take advantage of the clear winter evenings to explore the many points of interest in the area.

The traditional houses of the Hida-no-Sato folk village are particularly popular for their gassho-zukuri style steep, thatched roofs. These farmhouses are illuminated at night from mid-January to late February.

Water seeping from rock faces of the mountains surrounding Fukuji Onsen freezes into a peculiar natural phenomenon known locally as aodaru, meaning blue dragon. You can see this recreated in the onsen town from late December to late March. From early to mid-February there is the Ice Path Light Up, where you can walk behind the aodaru and take in a performance of the local henbetori lion dance.

From late December to late February, the Taruma Kanekori Illumination lets visitors marvel at the frozen waterfall of Shin-Hirayu Onsen. The welcoming town puts on the delightful Ema Market and an ice bar, serving warming drinks and alcoholic beverages.

How to get there

Take a Hida limited express train from Nagoya to Takayama Station. Visitors can then use the local bus service from the Takayama Bus Center to reach the events.

Schedule

Takayama Illuminations
Held from early January to late February.
For more information, visit:
http://www.hidanosato-tpo.jp/english12.htm 


Fukuji Onsen Aodaru Illuminations
Held from late December to late March.
For more information, visit:
http://www.okuhida-fuyumonogatari.com/aodaru.php 


Taruma Kanekori Illuminations
Held from late December to late February.
For more information, visit:
http://www.okuhida-fuyumonogatari.com/taruma.php 

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