春の高山祭「山王祭」 Takayama Spring Festival

The famous Takayama Spring Festival is held on
April 14th and 15th every year.

   "It heralds the coming of spring to Takayama,
   a small, snow-bound city nestled between mountains: not only
   do the people bask in the joy of spring, but through the festival
   they also beseech the gods for good harvests and
   peace for the year."
          -from a brochure published by Takayama City Office-

The city is already filled with tourists!!

The festival is also famous for the exquisite yatai (festival floats).
which is decorated with wooden carvings and metal ornaments
as well as lacquer-works.

The long awaited spring is finally here!!
People are so eager to celebrate the coming of a
beautiful season and at the same time,
they pray for good harvests before the arrival of another harsh winter.

We are still new here, but
having experienced the long and cold winter
we truly understand the "joy"
of the coming of this marvelous season!!


有名な高山祭、
春の祭は「山王祭（さんのうまつり）」と呼ぶそうです。
毎年開催日は同じで4月14日と15日です。

山王祭は、春の訪れを祝い
神々に豊作を祈る祭です。

すでに、高山は観光客で埋め尽くされています。

高山祭は、その美しい「屋台」で有名です。
１２台の屋台はそれぞれ複雑な装飾で彩られています。

待ちに待った春です！！
爛漫な春を盛大に祝い、
今年の健康と豊作を祈る、
まだまだ新参者ですが、
厳しい冬を経験してみて
その喜びや期待が理解できた気がします。