There is a “Dashi (float) Karakuri” and a “Zashiki (parlor) Karakuri” in the Karakuri (clockwork mechanism). "Dashi" is a symbol that indicates the subtleties of God appears, and the Karakuri dolls have been installed as embodied of God to "Dashi". For the Dashi Karakuri (float clockwork mechanism), there are “Ito Karakuri (thread clockwork)” to operate doll, manipulates engineered yarn, and “Hanare Karakuri (clockwork move independently without guidance)”that manipulates winding spring and/or spring to operate. Even in the Spring Festival - autumn festival of Hida Takayama, those dolls showing off acting lightly on a luxurious float and, it has attracted many spectators.
Ebisu is, write the auspicious character with a ink brush. It will be gift to visitors.
How Ebisu write a letter is the pleasure after you viewing it.
※Letter writing doll: work of the 9th generation Tamaya Shobei
Start moving when a placed a tea cup in hand, and it will stop if a tea cup is took off.
Then, placed a tea cup in hand again, the doll turns around and go back to where he came from.
※Zashiki (parlor) Karakuri: work of the 7th generations Tamaya Shobei
When Daikoku-sama shaked a mallet of luck, colorful flowers will appear from cracked pot.
Also Daikoku-sama’s mask changes to the lion, and a lion dances brilliant.
※Ito Karakuri (thread clockwork) that manipulated by 28 pieces yarn: work of The 7th generations Tamaya Shobei
Kakubei-jishi will show off the flying trapeze go across from Aya (trapeze) to another aya.
It landed on the pot to the stage wing.
Cuteness shake the hand when leave.
※Hanare Karakuri (clockwork move independently without guidance): work of the 8th generation Tamaya Shobei
On top of the Kyoto Gojyo Bridge, Benkei pitch into Ushi-wakamaru with swinging long handled sword.
However, Ushi-wakamaru is fled to the far-off by stepping on the eight pieces of snuggly piles.
Benkei is seeing off Ushi-wakamaru chagrined with stamping the ground.
※Bo (bar) Karakuri : work of The 7th generation Tamaya Shobei
Performance of Karakuri dolls, from 9:05 am to 4:25 pm, from time to time we exhibit. You are always welcome.
＜Admission fees＞
Individual High school students or older 600 Yen, Middle school students or younger 400 Yen,
Group (15 persons or more) 500 Yen 360 Yen
Brilliant performance and dance of Karakuri Dolls. In the work of spirit and tradition of the Takayama’s festival is cultivated Hida people’s spirits and traditional techniques gives heart into the Karakuri dolls. Our stages line-up are such as the “Ushi-wakamaru and Benkei (a legendary story)“ which is showing only our museum, “Ito Karakuri”, “Letter writing doll” and “Zashiki Karakuri” at Edo era which uses spring motivity. Please relax and enjoy our Karakuri performances.
We are showing 5 stages Karakuri by our Karakuri masters.
We exhibit around 300 lion masks from nationwide. This museum is the only lion mask exhibition hall in Japan, that are specified in the nationally designated important tangible folk cultural assets
At our gift shop, you can find out the Hida’s wide variety souvenirs and traditional taste has been popular in Hida, such like " Hoba miso (soybeans paste with magnolia leaf for grill)”, "Aka-kabura zuke (red turnip pickles)", friendly soy sauce taste "Takayama ramen noodle“, brewed with Hida’s local delicious water “Micro brewed Sake” and Hida’s local mascots doll “Sarubobo” that each one is made by hand and etc.
We also accept domestic shipping, please ask us casually.
We look forward to seeing everyone
Hida Takayama Shishi kaikan
"Karakuri Museum"
53-1 Sakura-machi, Takayama-shi, Gifu 〒506-0858
(Next to Sakurayama Hachiman-Guu)
TEL (0577)32-0881(Main) FAX (0577)34-7103
Parking Available (7 slots)
Hours of opening: 9:05 am ~ 4:25 pm (Close on irregular holidays)