Ikibina Matsuri

Ikibina Matsuri

takes place annually on the third of April at the Hida Ichinomiya Minashi Shrine. This traditional festival is conducted to pray for a good harvest and women’s happiness. It is known nationally therefore it attracts many visitors. Nine unmarried women are chosen from the Hida area and dress up as Hina dolls. As Hina dolls they participate in a parade and mochi throwing ceremony. A collaborative event with TV anime show HYOUKA also takes place on this day.

Every year :3rd April

Place

Hida Ichinomiya Minashi Shrine (5323 Ichinomiyamachi, Takayama)

Access

10 minutes walk from JR Hida-Ichinomiya Station

Celebrate Children's Day in Hida folk village!

Japanese people celebrate Children's day in May!
Normally we display "Koinobori" which called carp banner in English to celebrate it.

Here is a big chance to see rare "Koinobori" in Takayama.
Hida folk village will display "9m Koinobori" made of Japanese paper. 
How big it is!
And it is made of Japanese traditional papers!
Even for me, I have not seen Koinobori like that before!
Now you have a chance to see if you stay in Takayama^^

Moreover, you can enjoy a concert with Japanese traditional instruments : Shamisen and drums.
It sounds powerful and fun!

We still have room for available during Japanese Holiday week.
(May 3rd and 4th have been already fully booked so far...)

Let's stay with us in May and have a nice Japanese experience in Hida folk village!
Please feel free to contact us about accommodation and event in Takayama!

■Event details
<Koinobori and doll desplay>
Date : May 1st to June 5th

<concert with Shamisen and Drams> 
Date : May 3rd and 4th
Start Time : 11:00 or 13:30 (about 30 min for the performance)

■Fee for Hida folk village 
Adults : 700 yen
Children under 15 years old : 200 yen

■Open time
8:30 to 17:00 everday


■Access
10 min from Takayama Nohi bus terminal by bus
30 min walk from J-hoppers Hida Takayama

■Information about Hida folk village
website :  http://www.hidanosato-tpo.jp/english12.htm


 

Takayama Spring Festival 2014

Takayama Spring Festival 2014

Every year during April 14th - 15th*, Takayama welcomes in spring by hosting one of Japan's biggest and most famous festivals.

Events:

The Floats ( Various times / 14th-15th April*)


During this year's spring festival three magnificently crafted floats will be paraded around the streets of the old town.

We will be able to supply further details and time schedules of the floats procession when we are notified. 



The first float is Sanbaso (三番叟),










The second being Ryuujintai (龍神台) 














and the last being Shakkyotai (石橋台)














Karakuri Marionette Performance (14th-15th April*)

Twice a day morning and afternoon the floats will come to rest. During this time, atop each float the Karakuri dolls will come to life in traditional performances and dances. Each doll is intricately controlled by professional puppeteers.



Night Festival ( From 18:30 / April 14th*)

During the early evening when it's become dark, all 12 of Takayama's current floats are decorated with multiple beautifully illuminated lanterns as children with their variety of instruments climb up onto the second floor of the float. They are then paraded around the old town (though not always so gingerly!) by groups of local men.


Upon arrival to Takayama we can supply you with further information as we receive it.

*Please note that the festival will be postponed or even cancelled in the event of rain or other unfavorable weather conditions.

We hope to see you here in time for the festival!

Hida Ichi no Miya Hina Doll Festival

Hida Ichi no Miya
63rd Hina Matsuri Festival
w/ Hyoka Anime!





What is it?

Every year in March, beautiful arrays of ornamental dolls can be seen in various places a custom which has its roots back in the Heian period of Japan.

Formerly, people believed the dolls possessed the power to contain bad spirits and at one time these dolls would be sent afloat down the river, supposedly taking troubles or bad spirits with them.

Normally known in English as the "Hina Doll Festival" or "Girls' Day", it normally takes place on the 3rd of March however, because the Takayama area is colder than most parts of southern Japan, the festival is always delayed by one month!

Outside of Takayama City, in the small town of "Ichi no Miya" sightseers will be able to see these dolls for themselves and if you happen to be a fan of Takayama's own "Hyoka" anime series, you will be glad to hear that various themed events will be taking place.


When is it?

3rd of April 2014 (All Day)


Where is it?

Hida Ichi no Miya, Garyuu Park

You can access this park via train from Takayama station by getting off at Hida Ichi no Miya Station. You should then take the back exit by using the overpass bridge and you will see the park on your right hand side.

Free Takayama Walking Tour from April♡

You can enjoy Takayama town by yourself  easily.However, if you would like to see Takayama and know Japanese culture deeply, I totally recommend to join "Takayama Waling Tour"!

The tour will bring you the place which most travelers miss and the local tour guide will tell you traditional Japanese customs, rituals, and practices.

Also, you can visit a sake brewery and learn the history and the process of sake production.
Takayama is very famous for Japanese sake, so it's gonna be very nice experience for you.

And we had a big news!
It was 1,500 yen for the tour before.
BUT it's gonna be for FREE from this April!!!!!!
There is no reason you don't take the tour, isn't it?

The tour details are as below, please check it out.
If you had any questions, please feel free to ask to the reception^^


■Schedule　<2 hour tour>

9:00  Meet at iSite TAKAYAMA Tour desk
↓　
11:00 Finish at Hirase Sake Brewery

■Price : FREE

■Date of Operation : Every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday

■Website : http://www.isitetakayama.sakura.ne.jp/pg138.html

Takayama Hina Doll Festival♡

Do you know we celebrate the Girls' festival on March 3rd in Japan?
We decorate with Hina Doll to celebrate for girls.
Each doll has different faces because it's hand-made.

You can see many kinds of dolls in Takayama from March 1st to April 3rd.
This period, you can join the event "Stamp Rally" that you visit some places to see the dolls and collect stamps. 
If you collect the stamps, you can get a special souvenir!!
It's not only a fun activity, but also you can feel Japanese culture.

If you know "Hyoka" which is Japanese animation and is set in Takayama, there is a special course for it. And if you follow the course and correct some stamps, you can get "Hyoka" original goods as below.

It's only this season to see Hina Doll in Japan!
Why don't you visit Takayama and join the "Stamp Rally" event?
It must be interesting^^
When you come to J-hoppers, we will give you more information about the event!

We look forward to seeing you in Takayama!


<Takayama Hina Doll Festival>
■Date: March 1st to April 3rd
■Place: Takayama city
■Website :  http://www.hida.jp/english/events/event-calendar/event-calendar-april

Hirayu Otaki Illumination

Frozen Hirayu Otaki & Illumination

Every year during mid winter, after weeks upon weeks of sub-zero temperatures, the largest waterfall in the Hirayu Hot-spring area freezes up completely to become a beautiful spectacle of nature.

From the 15th-25th February 2014, the entire Hirayu Otaki Waterfall will also be beautifully illuminated.

When?:
Everyday 15th-25th February 2014
From 18:00 til 21:00

Where?: Hirayu Onsen-go (Next to the Hirayu Onsen Ski Area)
         

Access?: 

By Car: 50 mins to 1 hour + 10 mins walk

Coming from Takayama, just before you enter Hirayu Onsen-go (Hot-spring) you should see a Eneos Gas Station on the left, before the Station please take a right turn and then continue on up the hill until you reach the car park.

By Bus: 1 hour + 15 mins walk

Depart from Takayama Bus Terminal and then disembark at the "Hirayu Camp Area" bus stop. From here, continue past the ski area and on up the hill until you reach the waterfall.
It will take roughly 15 minutes walk.

How much?: 

There is no entrance fee to the waterfall, however if you decide to come by car there is a 500 yen car park fee!