Sakurayama Hachiman-gū sits on a wooded hillside at the northern end of the old town. The shrine has been here since at least the 14th century, though most of the present buildings are late 19th-century reconstructions. The setting is the main attraction — moss-covered stone lanterns, cedar trees, and a series of steep staircases climbing the hillside.
The shrine hosts the autumn half of the famous Takayama Matsuri (9–10 October). Within the shrine precinct, the Yatai Kaikan (Festival Float Exhibition Hall) displays several of the elaborate festival floats year-round.