What it is
The Furukawa Festival is the spring festival of Ketawakamiya Shrine in Hida-Furukawa, a quiet town in the mountains of Gifu Prefecture. Its most famous part is the Okoshi Daiko, “the waking drum”, once meant to announce the start of the festival to the whole town.
On the night of April 19, hundreds of men in white cloth wrappings carry a giant drum on a wooden frame through the streets. Teams with smaller drums on long poles push in to get close to it, and the crowd surges back and forth late into the night. The next day, ornate floats parade through the same streets.
The festival at a glance
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| Apr 19, from about 20:30 | Okoshi Daiko: The giant drum is carried through town on a wooden frame until after midnight, challenged by teams with smaller drums |
| Apr 19–20 | Floats: Nine ornate floats parade through town, some with mechanical puppets |
Which day should you go?
Night of Apr 19
The Okoshi Daiko is the reason to come. Stay in Takayama or Furukawa and check the last train.
Apr 20
See the floats in daylight in a quiet town of white-walled storehouses and canals.
What to look for
The big drum
Drummers ride on top of the giant drum, beating it as the frame is carried through the dark.
Tsuke-daiko
Teams carry small drums on poles and compete to get theirs as close as possible to the big drum.
The town
Hida-Furukawa's canals are full of carp, and its streets are lined with old white storehouses.
Getting there & where to stay
| From | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Takayama | JR Takayama Line to Hida-Furukawa | about 15 min |
| Nagoya | JR Limited Express Hida to Hida-Furukawa | about 2 h 45 min |
On the day. The drum procession (Okoshi Daiko) starts late at night on April 19 near Ketawakamiya Shrine, a short walk from Hida-Furukawa Station.
Crowds. The drum clash goes on into the early hours. Check the last train to Takayama, or stay in Furukawa.
Where to stay
Hida-Furukawa
Stay for the whole night of drums without worrying about trains.
Takayama
More rooms and restaurants, 15 minutes away.
When to book. Rooms in Furukawa are very few. Book 3 months ahead.
Times are typical fastest routes. Check current timetables before you travel.
Practical tips
- Combine. The Takayama Spring Festival is on April 14–15. A few days in Hida lets you see both.
- Safety. The crowd moves fast around the drum. Keep to the side and follow the stewards.
Glossary
Yatai屋台
A festival float with a roof, often carrying musicians or a small stage. The same word also means a street food stall.
Karakuriからくり
Mechanical puppets worked by strings and springs, performed on top of festival floats in towns such as Takayama.
Matsuri祭り
A Japanese festival, usually held for the kami of a local shrine. The word comes from the idea of serving and entertaining the gods.
References
- Hida City Tourism Association: Furukawa Festival.
- UNESCO: “Yama, Hoko, Yatai, float festivals in Japan” (2016).
Last checked 2026-10-12.