Matsuri Guide

Name in Japanese and English

• 高屋まつり（高屋神社春季例大祭）
• Takaya Matsuri, the spring festival of Takaya-jinja Shrine (Kanonji, Kagawa)

History

The Takaya Matsuri (高屋まつり, Takaya matsuri) is the major spring festival of the Takaya Shrine (高屋神社, Takaya jinja) in Kanonji (観音寺市, Kanonji-shi), in the western part of Kagawa Prefecture (香川県, Kagawa-ken). It is known as the only “chōsa festival” (ちょうさ祭り, chōsa matsuri) in the city held in spring, when the cherry blossoms (桜, sakura) are in bloom or beginning to fall.

The local peculiarity is its very direct connection with agriculture: the shrine venerates a deity associated with rice (稲の神様, ine no kamisama) and the festival is described as a “pre-festival” rite (予祝祭, yoshuku-sai) where prayers are offered for crop fertility (豊穣, hōjō). In Takaya, it is even said that the way the petals fall (桜吹雪, sakura-fubuki) is used to “predict” the quality of the year (占う, uranau). In this setting, richly embroidered chōsa floats (ちょうさ, chōsa) ascend the slopes of Mount Inazumi (稲積山, Inazumi-yama), giving the matsuri both an aesthetic and very physical aspect.

Location and Date of the Event

• Location: Takaya-jinja (shrine), mainly around the ge-gū (下宮, ge-gū, “lower shrine”): 高屋神社（下宮）, Takaya jinja (ge-gū).
• Address: 〒768-0002 香川県観音寺市高屋町2730 (Takaya-chō 2730, Kanonji-shi, Kagawa).
• Access: from JR Kanonji Station (JR観音寺駅, JR Kanonji-eki) → taxi approx. 9 to 13 minutes (depending on starting point). By car: from Ōnohara IC (大野原IC, Ōnohara IC) approx. 16 to 18 minutes. Municipal bus possible depending on periods: no “direct” bus to the ge-gū, get off at a nearby stop then approx. 10 minutes on foot (のりあいバス, noriai basu).
• Date: 2 days, on the 2nd weekend of April (第2土・日曜日, dai-ni do-nichiyōbi).

Schedule

The Takaya Matsuri is experienced as a large “neighborhood matsuri” around the shrine: stalls (屋台, yatai), Shinto rites (神事, shinji) and traditional performances. What attracts the most is the rare combination: chōsa (ちょうさ, chōsa) + cherry blossoms (桜, sakura), with passages on slopes that create very spectacular scenes.

Saturday often corresponds to the eve festival (宵祭り, yoi matsuri): the atmosphere gradually builds, the chōsa are prepared and come out, and you can see moments of gathering, music, and maneuvers. Sunday is generally the ritual heart of the festival, with ceremonies (神事, shinji) at the shrine and sequences of parade or ascent on the paths of Mount Inazumi (稲積山, Inazumi-yama).

Another strong feature: the presence of the lion dance (獅子舞, shishi-mai) and the fact that the festival highlights several chōsa (often described as 4 main chōsa) in a setting of flying petals (桜吹雪, sakura-fubuki). If you want the “postcard” side, aim for the moments when the chōsa move under the cherry trees and when they tackle the slope passages.

Practical Tips

Photos

The winning combo: chōsa + sakura (ちょうさ+桜, chōsa + sakura). Position yourself slightly above when the floats climb the slopes: you get both the density of the group and the shower of petals (桜吹雪, sakura-fubuki). A 70–200 (or equivalent) helps isolate the embroidery (刺繍, shishū) and faces; a wide-angle is useful for scenes “in the sea of cherry blossoms.”

Weather

Mid-April in Kagawa is often mild, but evenings can cool down. Bring a light layer + a windbreaker, and especially stable shoes: you will probably stand for a long time and walk on sloped areas.

Transport

The easiest is still JR Kanonji-eki (JR観音寺駅, JR Kanonji-eki) then taxi. By car, come early: the area fills up quickly during the chōsa passages. If you use the municipal bus (のりあいバス, noriai basu), anticipate the last stretch on foot (approx. 10 minutes).

Visitor Tips

To experience both atmospheres, do: Saturday late afternoon (start-up, eve: 宵祭り, yoi matsuri) + Sunday (ritual core). And if you want to avoid the crowd, aim for the slots before the big gatherings. Useful phrase: “Doko de mimasu ka?” (どこで見ますか, “Where is the best place to watch?”).

What to Bring

Cash (現金, genkin) for stalls, external battery, poncho, small towel (タオル, taoru), and something to protect your gear if petals stick to the lenses. If you stay long, also bring snacks and water.

Sources & References

• 観音寺市観光協会：高屋まつり

  Local reference page: description of the festival, address (高屋町2730), period (April, Saturday+Sunday), access and practical information.

• 観音寺市：観光情報「年間行事」(高屋まつり)

  Municipal calendar: mention of the festival as 2nd Saturday/Sunday of April, context “only spring chōsa matsuri” and elements (chōsa, shishi-mai).

• 観音寺市：高屋神社～天空の鳥居（アクセス）

  Official access (city): car, JR, information on municipal bus (のりあいバス) and final walk to the shrine.

• うどん県旅ネット（香川県観光協会）：高屋神社 本宮（紹介）

  Kagawa tourist sheet: presentation of the shrine and reminder of the holding of the 高屋まつり on the 2nd weekend of April (chōsa in spring).

• 観音寺市観光協会：徒歩ルートマップ（高屋神社参道）PDF

  Useful map if you combine matsuri + walk to the site (landmarks, indicative times, departure from the ge-gū).