Magnificent floats paraded during Takayama Festival in Japan's Gifu Prefecture

Elaborately decorated floats have been paraded through streets during a traditional festival in Gifu Prefecture, central Japan.

The Takayama Festival takes place every spring and autumn. It is part of the "Yama, Hoko, Yatai, float festivals in Japan," which was registered on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The two-day autumn festival began in the city of Takayama on Thursday, with gorgeous floats pulled to a shrine to the accompaniment of music. Visitors later enjoyed a marionette show played on one of the floats.