Hida Takayama, Japan

After I visited Kyoto, I headed towards the quaint city of Takayama in the mountainous Hida region.
Every spring, visitors from all over Japan come to celebrate the Sanno festival, a procession with 12 glorious floats some of which have a mechanical doll that can move and dance. The floats are pulled by men on the red Nakabashi bridge followed by performers wearing traditional costume. The audience is also entertained by amazing marionette puppets.
The best two festivals fall on April 14/15 and October 9/10
If you want to have a glimpse of traditional Japan do stay at a ryokan (a traditional japanese inn). You will be provided with a yukata robe to wear and sleep on a futon spread out on a tatami floor. Indulge yourself to an onsen♨ bath (hot springs), some of which are private on a patio in the room. Otherwise some ryokans have common bathing areas either for same genders or unisex.
Feast your palate on a traditional, sumptuous japanese cuisine which the Ryokans pride themselves on.
Hida Takayama is definitely a must on your list should you ever visit Japan.