Autumn is always celebrated in Japan, not least because of the gorgeous maples all over the country. In the beautiful prefecture of Gifu, the city of Takayama is home to talented artisans with generational businesses.Hachiman Matsuri, also known as Takayama Autumn Matsuri, is your chance to see these crafts in person. To pay homage to Sakurayama Hachimangu Temple's guardian deity, 11 magnificent floats are paraded around the city. If the golden phoenixes, carvings, embroideries and meticulous construction don't impress you, the festival offerings and the accompanying night festivals certainly will.