Matsuri no Mori
Impressive museum about the Takayama Matsuri
4.1
(29)
#8
of 8 most visited in Takayama
Located outside of Takayama's city center, the Matsuri no Mori (まつりの森, lit. "Festival Forest") showcases the key aspects of the Takayama Festival, which takes place for two days each spring and autumn. The festival is known as one of Japan's three most beautiful, along with Kyoto's Gion Matsuri and the Chichibu Yomatsuri.
From the museum's entrance, an approximately 50 meter long hallway leads to the main exhibition space which is located underground, giving it a cave-like atmosphere. The hallway is lined on the left by eleven miniature festival floats, one third the size of those used in the autumn festival. On the right are ostentatious golden-lacquered folding screens which depict famous floats from festivals in Kyoto and other cities.
At the main exhibition space, a number of magnificent, life-sized replica floats are displayed, offering visitors a close view at their elaborate designs, decorations and karakuri dolls. Karakuri dolls are marionettes which are a key feature in the Takayama Festival. They are usually manipulated by puppeteers, but the museum uses machine-operated ones for demonstration performances that are held frequently throughout the day.
Matsuri no Mori further displays several huge taiko drums, said to be the biggest drums in the world. Visitors are able to enjoy the rich timbre of these percussion instruments through one of the scheduled shows. The museum offers limited English but the exhibits are entertaining even for non-Japanese speakers.
Getting there and around
The Matsuri no Mori festival museum can be reached in a 15 minute Sarubobo Bus ride from Takayama Station south of the city center. There are hourly connections, and the fare is 100 yen per ride or 500 yen for a 1-day pass.
How to get to and around Takayama
Hours and Fees
Hours
9:00 to 17:00
Closed
No closing days
Admission
1000 yen (900 yen with online coupon)
Typical Visit Duration
30-45 minutes
Questions? Ask in our forum.
Links and Resources
Japanese
Hotels around Takayama
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Modern hotel that brings local culture to travelersWithin walking distance from JR Takayama Station and popular attractions like historic Sanmachi Street. In-hotel restaurant offers the best of local cuisine, including Hida beef and locally brewed sake.View siteSponsored -
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Minshuku KuwataniyaA small inn with a full of quiet atmosphere and Japanese tradition. Onsen baths available. 6 min from JR Takayama Station. Close to major sightseeing spots. Free Wi-Fi.View siteSponsored
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Hostel Fish in a RiverA guest house nestled in the centre of Takayama, Hostel Fish in a River features private parking, free WiFi, a garden and shared lounge. The property is attractively located close to Takayama Station and Yoshijima Heritage House. This 1-star guest house offers a shared kitchen and full-day security. Hida Minzoku Mura Folk Village is 2.6 km away and Gero Station is 49 km from the guest house. Units are complete with a shared bathroom, while certain units at the guest house also offer a seating area. Popular points of interest near the guest house include Fuji Folk Museum, Sakurayama Hachiman Shrine and Takayama Festival Float Exhibition Hall. Toyama Airport is 83 km away.View on Booking.com -
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Auberge HidanomoriReopened after renovation in 2022, Auberge Hidanomori is situated in quiet hills, a 10-minute shuttle ride from JR Takayama Station. The property offers free WiFi access in rooms and in public areas including the shared TV lounge and the terrace. Each room has air-conditioning and heating facilities at Hidanomori Auberge. Bathrooms are shared. Free toiletries are provided. Guests here can enjoy outdoor activities like hiking or walking through the on-site garden, or just simply unwind at the shared lounge with some tea. Free on-site parking is also available. Breakfast is served in the dining hall starting at 07:30 daily. Freshly baked bread, salad, yogurt, tea and coffee are served, while Italian cuisine is served for dinner. Meals require advance reservations. From Auberge Hidanomori, Hida Minzoku Mura Folk Village and Takayama Jinya are within a 10-minute drive.View on Booking.com -
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Oyado YamakyuYamakyu features classic Japanese-style accommodations with free Wi-Fi. Indoor and outdoor public baths are available for guests to relax in. JR Takayama Train Station is a 20-minute walk away and a free shuttle service is provided from the station. The air-conditioned rooms feature tatami (woven-straw) floors and Japanese futon bedding. A TV, yukata robes, safety box, towels and green tea bags are provided. Includes a private toilet but bathrooms are shared. Guests can enjoy the beautiful Japanese garden or request for relaxing massages. There are 1 computers at the lobby that guests can use. Complimentary coffee and a computer with free internet access are available as well. Local products can be purchased at the souvenir shop. There is a washing machine on site that guests can use for an additional fee. A traditional multi-course meal is served for dinner and a Japanese set menu is available for breakfast. All meals are served at the dining room. Yamakyu Inn is a 5-minute walk from Old Town, Takayama Jinya and the morning market. Hida No Sato Folk Village is a 20-minute bus ride away.View on Booking.com -
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Mozumo (Adult Only)Situated in a tranquil area in Gifu Region, a 52-minute drive away from JR Takayama Station, Mozumo boasts a hot-spring bath and rooms decorated with modern Japanese interior. Free WiFi and free private parking is available on site. Guests can savour hoba miso, a regional favorite, for breakfast. Rooms with contemporary Japanese design are fitted with tatami (woven-straw) flooring and come with a private open-air bath. Also comes with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV and a seating area with low table. The public bath and shared lounge offers views of the private forest. Guests can relax with massage at an additional charge. Various activities can be enjoyed in the surroundings, including skiing and fishing. Takayama Old Town is a 50-minute drive away, while Shirakawago can be reached with a 90-minute drive from Mozumo.View on Booking.com -
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Iroriyado HidayaSituated 1.6 km from Takayama Station, Iroriyado Hidaya is a recently renovated 4-star accommodation in Takayama, boasting a garden, a shared lounge and private parking. It is located 2 km from Hida Minzoku Mura Folk Village and features luggage storage space. The ryokan has parking on-site, a hot spring bath and full-day security. All units in the ryokan are equipped with a kettle. With a shared bathroom fitted with a bidet and bathrobes, units at the ryokan also boast free WiFi. At the ryokan, each unit has air conditioning and a flat-screen TV. ? la carte and continental breakfast options with warm dishes, fresh pastries and fruits are available each morning. Gero Station is 47 km from the ryokan, while Fuji Folk Museum is 2.3 km from the property. Toyama Airport is 84 km away.View on Booking.com -
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Ryokan KaminakaConveniently located just a 3-minute walk from JR Takayama Train Station and registered as an important cultural asset, Ryokan Kaminaka offers traditional Japanese-style accommodation with hot public baths, multi-course Kaiseki dinners served in guests’ rooms, and sleeping arrangements on the tatami (woven-straw) floor. Free Wi-Fi is provided throughout. Stepping into the rooms at Kaminaka Ryokan is like stepping back in time with LCD TV and air conditioning. Furnishings include sliding paper screens and a low table with floor cushions, and Yukata robes and green tea are provided. Only a 1-minute walk to Hida Kokubun Temple, the ryokan is a 10-minute walk to the Miyakawa Morning Market and Furui Machinami (Historic Streets). It is a 15-minute walk to Sakurayama Hachiman Temple. On-site parking is free. The ryokan boasts a beautiful Japanese garden, which features a 200-year old Japanese Azalea tree. Luggage can be left at the reception. The Japanese or Western set-menu breakfast is served at the dining room. Kaiseki dinners consist of regional specialities made using fresh seasonal, local ingredients.View on Booking.com -
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Takayama Ninja HouseLocated in Takayama, 1.3 km from Takayama Station and less than 1 km from the centre, Takayama Ninja House provides air-conditioned accommodation with free WiFi, and a shared lounge. This 1-star guest house offers a concierge service and a housekeeping service. Private parking can be arranged at an extra charge. The guest house offers certain units that include a terrace and city view, and every unit includes a shared bathroom and a tatami. At the guest house, the units come with bed linen and towels. Popular points of interest near the guest house include Fuji Folk Museum, Sakurayama Hachiman Shrine and Takayama Festival Float Exhibition Hall. Matsumoto Airport is 84 km away.View on Booking.com
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