10 July 202411 August 2024 Shrine and Cherry Blossom A mobile shrine in a Springtime Festival passes the Akiba Shrine (not shown) beneath a cherry blossom tree. The very long procession follows the Miyagawa River in Takayama City, Gifu Province, Central Honshu, Japan. This was one of many shrines on wheels pulled by people dressed in traditional costumes, walking to the sound of traditional Japanese music.The Takayama Festival (高山祭, Takayama Matsuri) ranks as one of Japan’s three most beautiful festivals. The others are Kyoto’s Gion Matsuri and the Chichibu Yomatsuri. It occurs twice a year in spring and autumn in the old town of Takayama and attracts many spectators.The Spring Festival (April 14-15, 2024) is the annual festival of the Hie Shrine in the southern half of Takayama’s old town. The spring festival is alternatively the Sanno Festival after the Sanno-sama shrine..< GALLERY SCROLL DOWN FOR MORE POSTS