I wanted to go to Takayama because the Spring Festival was taking place during our visit. This festival is one of Japan’s best and the night floats looked really beautiful during my research.

We met up with Glenn, John, Mike, Rosanna and Manwai to enjoy the festivities. We started the morning trying to see a Karakuri Performance, a mechanical doll that can move and dance on top of the festival floats. It was interesting to see them move, a bit creepy but also mesmerizing. The crowds were intense as was the heat from the sun. 

We saw the floats displayed during the day as we roamed around Takayama. We shopped around old town which was also lined with historic buildings but now transformed into shops and restaurants. This small town was a great change from the bigger cities we visited so far. 

In the afternoon, we also saw the day procession with locals dressed up and parading around town.  

Before dinner, I quickly checked out the rooftop hotel baths. Wow, the sun was setting and I was soaking in a tub enjoying the mountain view. It was so relaxing. 

Our dinner was included with our stay at the Hida Hotel Plaza and it was a Hida beef dinner. Hida beef is a lesser known buttery Japanese beef like Kobe or Wagyu. Hida Beef just melts in your mouth and it was unlike any steak I’ve every had. Glenn and John says Kobe beef was better so I can’t wait to try it next time I’m in Japan. It was OMFG good. 

After our dinner, we went back to town to see the night parade with all lanterns lit up on the floats. The main street was lined with food stalls and many school kids were roaming about. It such a lively and fun environment.

The floats we saw earlier were now lined with lit up lanterns. Each float was pulled by a team of townspeople and children were sitting in floats. It was such a neat sight to see.