Artisanal Legacy in Motion: Takayama Festival Master Craftsmen and Workshop Tour
Get an exclusive look behind the scenes of the Takayama Festival, one of Japan's three most beautiful festivals in Japan featuring 23 gorgeously elaborate floats with an illustrious history of about 350 years. Repairs and preservation of the floats are maintained by the master craftsmen of the Hida region, called the "Hida no Takumi", esteemed for their exceptional skills and expertise nationwide, commissioned with repairs for temples, shrines, and festival equipment all over Japan to this very day.
As part of this tour, participants get to see the Takayama Festival floats up close, and gain special access to a craftman's workshop which is not usually open to the public. Your guide will accompany you to one of the following workshops of your choice and according the craftmen's schedule: shrine and temple carpentry, Hida Shunkei lacquerware, blacksmithing, Ichii itto (yew wood) carvings. Try crafting under the careful guidance of a master, or a take home a special gift made by them depending on your choice of workshop. Enjoy this exclusive opportunity to delve deep into the local culture of traditional crafting and carpentry, unavailable to independent travelers and standard tours.
Recommended points
● Learn about the magnificent beauty and history of the Takayama Festival as you view its gorgeous floats up close.
● Visit workshops of Hida's master craftsmen: shrine and temple carpentry, Hida Shunkei lacquerware, blacksmithing, Ichii itto (yew wood) carvings.
● Observe the fine techniques of the master craftsmen in workshops inaccessible to the public, try out some hands-on crafting or receive a complimentary piece of their work.
● Your travel guide will accompany you, providing detailed explanation on the different techniques and cultural background featured in this tour.
Overview
- Season
- 2025/4/1～2026/3/31
- Activity Time
- 3 hours
- Place
-
Takayama Festival Floats Exhibition Hall
178 Sakuramachi, Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture. 506-0858
- Number of Participants
- 2 to 6 people
- Reference Price
- From 47,600 yen per person
- Starting Point
- Takayama Festival Floats Exhibition Hall
- Ending Point
- Craftsmen's workshop, or Takayama City central
- Meeting Time
- 9:00
- Schedule
-
・9:00 - Gathering at the Takayama Festival Floats Exhibition Hall
・9:05 - Introduction to the Takayama Festival and festival floats at the Takayama Festival Floats Exhibition Hall by English-speaking guide
・9:40 - Depart the Takayama Festival Floats Exhibition Hall for the craftsmen workshop (one location)
・12:00 - End of tour
- Important Information
- You can request for additional visits to other workshops (optional).
- Contact Information
-
Discover GIFU
Phone number: +81-(0)58-265-4831 (weekdays 9:30-17:30)
Email address: customer@gifu-tj.jp
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