[Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture] A summer tradition in Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture! What is the wish that is put into Japan's biggest waraji?

The Fukushima Waraji Festival, a summer tradition held in Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture, is a relatively new festival that began in the Showa era. This festival began as a companion to the winter Shinto ritual, Shinobu Sanzan Akatsuki Mairi, held every February

Akatsuki Mairi is a Shinto ritual that is said to have begun in the Edo period. It is held as part of mountain worship to worship the three peaks of Mount Shinobu, Mount Hayama, Mount Haguro, and Mount Kumano, which are adjacent to the city of Fukushima

At Akatsuki Mairi, Japan's largest straw sandals are offered in prayer for good walking. During the Edo period, walking was the norm for travel, so people setting out on long journeys wanted to be strong and safe on their journeys. In the past, there was a Niomon gate at Haguro Shrine, and it is said that the tradition began with offering large straw sandals that were large enough to fit the feet of the Nio statues enshrined there, and praying for a safe journey

In modern-day Akatsuki Mairi, people pray not only for good health, but also for good health, bountiful harvests, safety of the home, and prosperity in business

The Fukushima Waraji Festival, which began in 1970, was a counterpart to the Akatsuki Mairi. It was started by Fukushima City and the Fukushima Chamber of Commerce and Industry as an event to preserve the tradition of large waraji sandals and to allow all citizens to enjoy the short summer together

At the Fukushima Waraji Festival, large straw sandals are offered to Haguro Shrine. The straw sandals offered at both Akatsuki Mairi and the Fukushima Waraji Festival will be enough for both feet, and it is said that this is a prayer for even stronger legs

What is Japan's largest straw sandal?

The giant straw sandals offered at Akatsuki Mairi and the Fukushima Waraji Festival are 12 meters long, 1.4 meters wide, and weigh approximately 2 tons. These straw sandals were made by the Miyama Keijinkai, which continues to preserve the tradition

It takes about 2,000 bundles of rice straw to make one large straw sandal, so preparations begin after the previous year's rice harvest has settled down, with the aim of securing a large amount of rice straw

After the rice straw is harvested in the fall, it is dried and then the time-consuming process of "wara-uchi" (beating the straw to soften it) and "wara-sugaring" (removing the excess straw) is completed by the end of the year

Fukushima's important traditional events are preserved thanks to the people who work hard to pass on its history to future generations

What is the Fukushima Waraji Festival?

The Fukushima Waraji Festival is a summer festival where people not only dedicate large straw sandals, but also enjoy singing and dancing

During the festival, the main road in front of Fukushima East Exit Station is closed to secure the festival site. In addition to the giant straw sandals passing through, there is also a dance parade by YOSAKOI and local volunteer teams. It's not just a sight to behold, there are plenty of things to enjoy for all the participants along the road

In addition, various food stalls are set up every year, including restaurants in front of Fukushima Station, making the whole town seem lively

Come and enjoy the excitement of the festival that will enliven the hot summer

summary

This time we introduced the Fukushima Waraji Festival, a famous summer festival held in Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture

The background to the festival is the wish for people to stay healthy. Many of these wishes are still relevant today, such as wishing to complete a journey safely or to live a life free from illness and disaster

The Fukushima Waraji Festival is not just a spectacle, but also a participatory event that spectators along the road can enjoy. Why not visit and make some memories of Tohoku's short summer?

Motoharu Kahashi

Female in her 30s/Fukushima Prefecture/Writer who writes about the region, gourmet food, women's lifestyle, etc.