[Recommended Autumn Festivals: Yamagata Edition] Enjoy Yamagata's delicious autumn festivals!

If asked, "What is the first festival that comes to mind when you think of Yamagata Prefecture?", many people would probably answer the Yamagata Hanagasa Festival, which is held every year from August 5th to 7th

Yamagata Prefecture is known for its many summer festivals, but autumn festivals are also held throughout the prefecture from the end of August through September, and can be enjoyed along with B-grade gourmet food to savor the autumn harvest

We've picked out some recommended autumn festivals from Yamagata Prefecture and would like to introduce them to you

When does the Autumn Festival start and end?

In the calendar, the beginning of autumn, one of the 24 solar terms, runs from August 7th to the day before the beginning of winter on November 7th. If we apply this to the Tohoku region, autumn begins at the end of the summer festivals held in various places in early August

festivals held from August 7th to November as "Autumn Festivalswe refer to

What is the definition of a festival?

The definition of "festival" as listed on Wikipediaof honoring gods, Buddhas, and ancestors for the purpose of expressing gratitude, prayer, or commemorationis "an act (ritual)

On the other hand, there are also "music festivals" and "harvest festivals" that are different from festivals at shrines and other places with history and tradition, and these events where people enjoy music and food are also considered festivals in a broad sense

In this article, we will introduce not only festivals, but also music festivals, gourmet festivals, and other autumn festivals that are fun to visit

Murayama Tokunai Festival (Murayama City: August 23rd to 25th)

who, despite being from a poor farming family in Murayama, was appointed by the shogunate as an explorer of Ezo (Hokkaido) and made numerous voyages to Hokkaido and SakhalinMogami Tokunai,there was an explorer named

Tokunai undertook various activities to deepen friendships with the Ainu people, the indigenous people of Ezo (present-day Hokkaido), and one of these activitiesshrinewas the construction of the "Shinmei-gu"

passed down at Akkeshi ShrineAkkeshi Bayashiin 1995 whenTokunai Bayashiand began to be played as

About the birth of Tokunai Bayashi

Tokunai Bayashi was born in 1994 (Heisei 6) whenMurayama Festivalthe Akkeshi Bayashi from Akkeshi Town, which was a sister city, was invited to the

Akkeshi Hayashi is characterized by a heroic lion dance performed to the accompaniment of music played from the top of the floats

The young people of Murayama, captivated by the power of the festival, combined lively music with creative dance to create the Tokunai Bayashi performance. The number of participating groups has gradually increased over the years, and in 2024, 18 groups will be participating

There will be no parade on the evening festival on the first day, the 23rd (Friday), but on the main festival days, the 24th (Saturday) and 25th (Sunday), you can watch performances set to Tokunai Bayashi on special stages and in parades at three venues around the city

Handmade floats and creative dance performances

The floats that the musicians ride on are hand-made by each group every year

The creative dances performed by each group are full of individuality and are well worth watching, but what they all have in common is that they dance while holding and ringing the rattles used in the Yosakoi Festival in one hand

Murayama Tokunai Festival <Information>

• Location: City Fureai Square special stage, shopping street, Fureai Street, Nishiura Street, etc
• Event period: August 24th (Sat) - August 25th (Sun) 2024 (Reiwa 6)　
• For inquiries, please contact: Murayama Tokunai Festival Promotion Association (Murayama City Commerce, Industry and Tourism Division)
• Address: 1-3-6 Chuo, Murayama City, Yamagata Prefecture
• Phone number: 0237-55-2111
• URL:Murayama Tokunai Festival Promotion Association Official Website

In the Murayama region, "cold meat soba" is served even in winter

It is said to have originated in Kahoku Town in the Murayama region, but there are many popular restaurants serving it in Murayama City as well, and it is a local dish that is enjoyed by locals even during the cold, snowy winters

The chewy country soba noodles are topped with a cold chicken stock soup with a light soy sauce flavor and topped with chicken and finely chopped green onions

Cold Meat Soba ＜Information＞

• For inquiries, please contact Yachi Niku Soba Kai (Kahoku Town Chamber of Commerce) and others
• Phone number: 0237-73-2122
• URL:Yamagata Prefecture Official Tourism Website "A Trip to Yamagata"

Shinjo Festival (Shinjo City: August 24th-26th)

This is the annual festival of Shinjo Tenmangu Shrine in the city, and has a history of nearly 270 years since the mid-Edo period.It has been designated a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage and a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property

including a magnificent parade of 20 elaborately decorated floats, a procession of 200 people carrying a portable shrine, andthe Hagino ShishiodoriandNitayama ShishiodoriThis festival is packed with highlights,

in 1756 (Hōreki 6),Masanobu, held a festival for the local guardian deity, Tenman Shrine, throughout his domain to help his people who were suffering from a poor harvest.

Annual festivals of the three shrines at Shinjo Castle Ruins (Mogami Park)

There are three shrines at the ruins of Shinjo Castle: the evening festival on the 24th is held at Tozawa Shrine, the main festival on the 25th at Tenmangu Shrine, and the final festival on the 26th at Gokoku Shrine, which is considered the annual grand festival

Twenty floats are paraded every day, and music is played all over town, creating a festive atmosphere

Other highlights of the festival include a joint performance of Shinjo Hayashi music at the Fureai Plaza in front of the station during the evening festival, a portable shrine procession during the main festival, and Shishiodori (lion dance) performances at Mogami Park and throughout the town during the laterfestival.

Shinjo Festival <Information>

• Location: JR Shinjo Station West Exit Square and other locations around the city
• Event period: Saturday, August 24th to Monday, August 26th, 2024 (Reiwa 6)　
• For inquiries, please contact: Shinjo Festival Executive Committee
• Address: Shinjo Chamber of Commerce and Industry, 3-8 Sumiyoshicho, Shinjo City, Yamagata Prefecture
• Phone number: 0233-22-6855
• URL:Shinjo Festival Executive Committee Official Website

What you should try in Shinjo is "Chicken Offal Ramen"

One of the beloved local comfort foods in ShinjoTorimotsu Ramenis

This relatively new local dish combines stewed chicken offal, which has long been a valuable source of protein in mountain farming villages, with ramen

The basic flavor is a light soy sauce based chicken broth, but each dish is homemade with ingenuity, and the stewed chicken offal that is placed on the noodles varies in seasoning and the parts used, making it fun to try different dishes as you walk around

Chicken Offal Ramen <Information>

• Contact: Shinjo City Hall, Commerce, Industry and Tourism Division
• Telephone: 0233-29-5848 (Tourism Promotion Section), 0233-29-5849 (Exchange Planning Section), 0233-29-2122 (Ecology Garden)
• URL:Shinjo City Hall Official Website

Shonai Festival (Tsuruoka City: October 6th)

in 1877 (Meiji 10)of the Shonai Domainthe former residence ofthe site of Tsurugaoka CastleThis is the annual festival of Shonai Shrine, which was founded

, who was considered one of the Four Heavenly Kings of TokugawalordTadatsugulord, Ietsugu; the thirdlordTadakatsu; and the ninthlord, Tadaari.

The three feudal lords, from the first to the third, built the foundations of the domain, and Lord Tadanori is enshrined as a wise ruler who restored the domain's struggling finances

which were built by the Sakai family lords as guardian shrinesthe Gojo Inari Shrineandthe Tsuruoka Gokoku Shrine,are home

The annual festival was previously held on August 15th, but in 2021 (Reiwa 3), it will be held in October as a measure to prevent heatstroke

A magnificent historical picture scroll: "The Procession of Daimyo of the Shonai Domain"

The citizens of Tsuruoka recreate the feudal lord procession of the past, with a total of about 500 people parading through the town, including performers showing off their unique walking style and a procession of armored warriors

a nationally designated important folk cultural property, which is dedicated at Shonai ShrineKurokawa Noh,, and the lantern floating ceremony held at night on the Uchikawa River, which was the outer moat of Tsurugaoka Castle ruins, are among the many highlights.

Shonai Festival <Information>

• Location: Tsuruga Castle ruins and other locations around the city
• Event period: Sunday, October 6, 2024 (Reiwa 6)　
• For inquiries, please contact Shonai Shrine
• Location: 4-1 Babacho, Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture, Tsurugaoka Castle ruins
• Phone number: 0235-22-8100
• URL:Shonai Shrine Official Website

A popular gourmet dish in the Shonai region: Yakisoba with added sauce

This gourmet dish was born from customers' requests to have the sauce poured over the meat after it has been cooked, as the flavor of the sauce changes when cooked, and there are famous restaurants in Tsuruoka City, Sakata City, and Shonai Town in the Shonai region

Noodles steamed in soup are topped with meat and vegetables stir-fried in a separate pot, and you can add as much sauce as you like

This yakisoba has a lighter taste than fried noodles that are mixed with sauce, making it easy to eat even if you're feeling tired from the summer heat

Yakisoba with added sauce <Information>

• URL:TravelBook (5 popular restaurants where you can eat Shonai's local specialty, "Atogake Yakisoba") 

summary

Many areas of Yamagata Prefecture are closed off by deep snow in the winter, so festivals held in the snow-free seasons are grand

In addition to the historic and traditional festivals introduced in this article, there are also festivals where you can enjoy local cuisine, such as the "Japan's No. 1 Imoni Festival," so you can enjoy not only watching but also eating.

Autumn Festival Series of the Six Tohoku Prefectures

Tohoku Rokken Trivia Media NEFT

[Recommended Autumn Festivals: Aomori Edition] Introducing Aomori's autumn festivals and local cuisine!

https://jp.neft.asia/archives/34146

Aomori Prefecture's festivals are famous nationwide for their summer festivals held in early August, including the Aomori Nebuta Festival, Hirosaki Neputa Festival, Goshogawara Tachineputa, and the Hachinohe Sansha Grand Festival. However, what is less well known is that the prefecture also hosts the Bon Odori dances that follow these summer festivals, as well as the autumn festivals held mainly in the Sanpachi Kamikita region and on the Shimokita Peninsula in the eastern part of the prefecture. When do the "autumn festivals" start and end? Shichinohe Autumn Festival. Source: Aomori Prefecture Tourism Information Site Amazing AOMORI. According to the calendar, autumn runs from August 7th, the beginning of autumn, to the day before November 7th, the beginning of winter, according to the 24 solar terms. If we apply this to the Tohoku region,...

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[Recommended Autumn Festivals: Akita Edition] 3 Historic and Traditional Autumn Festivals in Akita

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When it comes to festivals in Akita, many people think of summer festivals held from July to August, such as the Akita Kanto Festival. However, there are also many fascinating autumn festivals held throughout the prefecture. In this article, we will introduce three festivals designated as Important Intangible Folk Cultural Properties by the national government. When does the "Autumn Festival" begin and end? The Hanawa Bayashi float at the Kazuno Roadside Station's "Antraa" (Source: Akita Prefecture Official Tourism Site). According to the calendar, autumn runs from August 7th, the beginning of autumn, to the day before November 7th, the beginning of winter. Applying this to the Tohoku region, early August marks the end of summer festivals held throughout the region...

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[Recommended Autumn Festivals: Iwate Edition ①] Come see the gorgeous and elegant floats made by local residents!

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Autumn festivals in northern Iwate Prefecture are characterized by the parade of colorfully decorated floats, often featuring warrior dolls and decorative curtains, through the streets. Local children always play traditional music as the floats are paraded, allowing visitors to enjoy the unique flavor of each region. In this article, we'll introduce three autumn festivals in northern Iwate Prefecture: Morioka, Hanamaki, and Kuji, along with the region's B-grade gourmet food. When do "autumn festivals" begin and end? Morioka Autumn Festival, in front of the Iwate Bank Red Brick Building. Source: Tohoku Tourism and Travel Information Site. According to the Tohoku Calendar, the beginning of autumn, one of the 24 solar terms, falls on August 7th, followed by the beginning of winter on November 11th...

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[Recommended Autumn Festivals: Iwate Edition ②] Iwate's Autumn Festivals Change with the Region

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Compared to northern Iwate Prefecture, where many festivals feature elegant floats parading through the streets, autumn festivals in the southern part of the prefecture are rich in individuality. The Sanriku Coast offers festivals where portable shrines are carried in the ocean, while inland towns offer a variety of local performing arts. When do "autumn festivals" begin and end? Tono Festival Source: Iwate Prefecture Official Tourism Site According to the Iwate Travel Calendar, the beginning of autumn, one of the 24 solar terms, begins on August 7th and ends the day before the beginning of winter on November 7th. Applying this to the Tohoku region, autumn begins with the end of summer festivals held throughout the prefecture in early August. In this article, we'll follow the calendar and focus on the period from August 7th to November...

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[Recommended Autumn Festivals: Yamagata Edition] Enjoy Yamagata's delicious autumn festivals!

https://jp.neft.asia/archives/34382

When asked, "What is the first festival that comes to mind when you think of Yamagata Prefecture?", many people would likely answer the Yamagata Hanagasa Festival, held annually from August 5th to 7th. While Yamagata Prefecture is often known for its summer festivals, it also hosts autumn festivals throughout the prefecture from the end of August through September, where you can enjoy delicious gourmet food and a taste of the autumn harvest. Here, we've picked out some recommended festivals from Yamagata Prefecture. When do "autumn festivals" start and end? Yamagata's signature summer festival, the Yamagata Hanagasa Festival. Source: Yamagata Prefecture's official tourism website, "Travel to Yamagata," uses the calendar to mark the 24 solar terms...

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[Recommended Autumn Festivals: Miyagi] The majesty of the Date clan and music filling the streets

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Miyagi Prefecture's major autumn festivals include the annual festival of Osaki Hachimangu Shrine, the main shrine of the Sendai domain, which had a fiefdom of 620,000 koku. Another famous autumn event is the Masamune Festival at Mt. Iwate, where the domain's founder, Date Masamune, based before founding Sendai. The Jazz Festival, featuring a variety of music, primarily jazz, is also enjoyed as a colorful celebration of Sendai's autumn, with street corner stages set up around Jozenji Street. When do "Autumn Festivals" begin and end? According to the calendar, the beginning of autumn, one of the 24 solar terms, falls from August 7th to the day before the beginning of winter on November 7th. If we apply this to the Tohoku region, it falls from August...

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[Recommended Autumn Festivals: Fukushima Edition] Autumn in Fukushima is all about warrior processions and fighting festivals!

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Fukushima Prefecture's nationally known festivals include the Fukushima Waraji Festival in Fukushima City and the Uneme Festival in Koriyama City, both of which are summer festivals held in early August. In this article, we'll introduce three highly recommended autumn festivals from the upcoming Fukushima Prefecture. When do "autumn festivals" begin and end? Tanagura Autumn Festival. Source: Tohoku Tourism and Travel Information Site. In the Tohoku calendar, the 24 solar terms of "Risshu" (the beginning of autumn) begin on August 7th and the day before "Ritto" (the beginning of winter) on November 7th. Applying this to the Tohoku region, autumn begins with the end of summer festivals held across the country in early August. This article...

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DaiwaConsilio

I'm a former Edoite (Tokyoite) who loves Morioka and the six prefectures of Tohoku, and I'm a big fan of history, gourmet food, travel, sports, alcohol, and choral singing.
I'll introduce you to interesting things, delicious food, and great places in Tohoku!