Takayama Festival April 2010

luce · (#1 (**permalink**))

Hello all!

I am going to be in Japan in April and I would love to attend the Takayama Festival the 14th.
I am aware that the festival starts at 6.30pm. I couldn't find any affordable accommodation (min. 400 euro per night per room in Takayama) so I checked on Hyrpedia: last train to Tokyo seems to be at 6.40pm, which means I will miss the event. I checked it for the month of March though, as April is still not there.

Can you please advise any other possible solution or confirm if the time schedule will be the same for the month of April? We are heading to Kyoto the 15th.
Thanks in advance.

konbini · (#2 (**permalink**))

You might want to try Zenkoji temple guesthouse in Takayama. I stayed there and it was great. They have full kitchen facilities and it is a nice traditional experience.
I don't know how much it is in high season, but it is great value for money.

allhailhata · (#3 (**permalink**))

Time schedule will not be completely the same.they usually change time schedule　in every March.But last train never drastically change.

You don't need to go back to Tokyo.Because you are heading to Kyoto the 15th.
Please check the location of Tokyo,Takayama,Kyoto.

About hotel
http://takayamaryokan.jp/english/index.htm
Inn in Hida Takayama Hida Takayama Minshuku Cooperative Society.
Be careful of their locations.Takayama has widest area in Japan.
I think you should reserve a room.SO CROWDED on that date.

luce · (#4 (**permalink**))

Thank you all for your answers and for the links provided. I am looking at them right now.
It seems going to Kyoto the day after is more convenient than going back to Tokyo the same day.
Are buses to Hida running frequently? I just found this inn Welcome To Hida Takayama INN MINSHUKU-SUMIRESO not sure about the distance.

allhailhata · (#5 (**permalink**))

Going back to Tokyo is a waste of time and money.

Sorry,I can't see what "buses to Hida" mean clearly.Hida is name of the north part of Gifu prefecture including Takayama city. There is also Hida city in Hida district.It's a little confusing.Ｌike New York State and New York City.

Anyway,if you mean "buses from JR Takayama St.to Bus stop that is the nearest from the hotel”, they are NOT running frequently.
Instead of buses,you can use local train.According to the hotel's HP,
7minutes train from JR Takayama to JR Hida-Ichinomiya and 10minutes by foot from JR Hida-Ichinomiya. Trains are not running frequently.
From JR Hida-Ichinomiya to JR Takayama
http://ekikara.jp/newdata/ekijikoku/...1_21605011.htm
Opposite
http://ekikara.jp/newdata/ekijikoku/...1_21203011.htm
But trains with red character don't stop at Hida-Ichinomiya.

According to the hotel's HP,They will pick up and drop you at JR Takayama St
But I don't know how many times they will pick up and drop you.And It's busiest day.

FYI
about Zenkoji temple guesthouse April 14th 2008
Great Location and accomodations for the price - Review of Hida Takayama Zenkoji, Takayama, Japan - TripAdvisor
If Im a solo traveler I want to stay.But, if I am with children or older, I don't .

luce · (#6 (**permalink**))

Hey allhailhata,
Thank you for the info about Hida, it makes much more sense now.
I already inquired at Zenkoji and they are fully booked :'(
Thank you for the bus link provided. It seems last train is at 21:39. That give us a lot of time to attend the festival.
I've emailed other ryokans too. Waiting for their answers now.
Fingers crossed!

luce · (#7 (**permalink**))

Hey all!
I just want to say that I've found a last minute accommodation in a ryokan in Takayama! I can't believe it, so I'm going to be there for the festival.
Thank you all for the nice advise! Been very helpful to me!

allhailhata · (#8 (**permalink**))

＠luce
Congratulations！Have a nice trip!
you may see Sakura in full bloom in Takayama.

luce · (#9 (**permalink**))

Thanks allhailhata, I really hope so

TinkleTEA · (#10 (**permalink**))

Instead of staying in Takayama, why don't you stay in a near by town, I will be there around the same time, and I am staying in a town called Gero. They have cheaper accommodations as well as alot of beautiful hotsprings.