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Compared to the northern part of Iwate Prefecture, where there are many festivals where elegant floats parade through the streets, the autumn festivals in the southern part of the prefecture are more unique
There is a wide variety of festivals, such as festivals in towns along the Sanriku coast where mikoshi (portable shrines) are carried in the sea, and festivals in inland towns where a variety of local performing arts are performed one after another
When does the "Autumn Festival" start and end?
Tono Festival Source: Iwate Prefecture Official Tourism Site Iwate Travel
According to the calendar, the ``Ritshu'' of the 24 solar terms runs from August 7th to the day before the ``Risshu'' of November 7th, and if this is applied to Tohoku, it would be the end of the summer festivals held in various places in early August. It's autumn.
This article introduces festivals held from August 7th to November as ``Autumn Festivals'' according to the calendar.
What is the definition of festival?
Kamaishi Festival Source: Iwate Prefecture Official Tourism Site Iwate Travel
The definition of "matsuri" listed on Wikipedia is "the act (ritual) of worshiping the gods, Buddha, and ancestors for the purpose of gratitude, prayer, or solace."
On the other hand, there are ``music festivals'' and ``harvest festivals,'' which are different from the festivals held at shrines and other shrines, which have a long history and tradition, and these events where you can enjoy music and taste are also considered festivals in a broader sense.
Iwate Sanriku Yamada Festival (Yamada Town, Shimohei District: September 14th to 16th)
Yamada Festival Mikoshi Sea Parade Source: Iwate Prefecture Official Tourism Site Iwate Travel
Designated an intangible folk cultural property of Iwate Prefecture, Yamada Hachiman Shrine and Osugi Shrine , are held together. On the first day, the Yamada Hachiman Shrine Yoimiya Festival is held, on the second day, the shrine's Shinko Festival is held, and on the third day, Respect for the Aged Day, the Osugi Shrine Shinko Festival is held.
On the first and second days, the large portable shrine of Hachiman Shrine is paraded through Yamada town in a valiant manner as the " Wild Mikoshi ," and Hachiman Daikagura, Hachiman Shikamai, and Yamada Sakaida Toramai are dedicated to the festival. During the Shinko Festival at Osugi Shrine, the portable shrine is paraded across the sea.
Osugi Shrine, which was washed away by the tsunami caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake and has since been rebuilt
At the Osugi Shrine Shinko Festival, which enshrines the fishing god " Amba OsugiOshigori " sea procession of the Osugi Shrine portable shrine, carried by a group of men across the sea.
Osugi Shrine, located in low-lying areas, was washed away by the tsunami caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake, leaving only the torii gate behind. However, in 2014 the shrine building was rebuilt and the portable shrine was restored, and the sea procession began again
Enjoy local performing arts at the Yamada Autumn Festival
During the festival, a special stage is set up in the park in front of Rikuchu-Yamada Station, and local performing arts and dance groups from both within and outside the town participate, showcasing the results of their daily practice
In between, portable shrines from Yamada Hachiman Shrine and Osugi Shrine stop by, and a festival with many stalls is held around the stage, making the area in front of the station lively
Yamada Festival in Sanriku, Iwate Prefecture <Information>
Event period: Three days from two days before Respect for the Aged Day in September every year, from September 14th (Saturday) to September 16th (Monday, Respect for the Aged Day) in 2024
Location: Yamada Town center
For inquiries, please contact: Yamada Town Tourism Association
"Yamada no Oyster-kun" where you can enjoy Yamada oysters anytime
Yamada is famous for its all-you-can-eat steamed oysters restaurant, Kakigoya , but unfortunately it is only open from November to the end of May, so you won't be able to enjoy it during the Yamada Festival.
So, for those who want to taste Yamada's oysters, we recommend " Yamada's Oyster-kun ."
Smoked oysters are marinated in olive oil, making this a delicious dish that pairs perfectly with white wine, as well as sake and shochu
Oshu Mizusawa Industrial Festival and Oshu Autumn Festival (Mizusawa, Oshu City: September 14th-15th)
In the hometown of Shohei Ohtani, the popular Major League Baseball player, the Oshu Mizusawa Summer Festival , the Oshu Autumn Festival , and this year the three festivals will be held together, including Yosakoi
The main venue is the street in front of JR Mizusawa Station, which will be turned into a pedestrian zone during the day on both days, with numerous stalls selling local products, food and drink, and gourmet food, as well as local performing arts
A festival of various performing arts genres
Local Shishiodori (Deer Dance) and Demon Sword Dance ) groups, as well as high school dance clubs and brass bands, will perform.
Along with these, there is a custom the Iwate regionYakudoshi Ren/Toshiiwai Ren in which young people (middle-aged and elderly) of the unlucky age participate in dancing to ward off bad luck
This involves people aged 25 and 42, who are considered to be in unlucky years, coming together to take part in a festival in the Iwami region, livening up the festival with simple dances. In recent years, however, they have been spending more time practicing, and now perform magnificent dances that are just as good as those performed by other groups
"Oshu YOSAKOI in Mizusawa" livens up the festival
As part of the Oshu Autumn Festival, the event will be held on the 15th at five venues, mainly around Mizusawa Station Street, with 59 teams from all over the country taking part
At Yosakoi festivals held all over the country, in addition to team performances there is also a general dance in which the audience can join in and dance together, and this year in Oshu a general dance song called "Matsuribito" has been created and is scheduled to be performed
Oshu Mizusawa Industrial Festival and Oshu Autumn Festival <Information>
Name: Oshu Mizusawa Industrial Festival and Oshu Autumn Festival (Oshu YOSAKOI in Mizusawa)
Event period: Saturday, September 14th to Sunday, September 15th, 2024
Location: Around JR Mizusawa Station
For inquiries, please contact: Oshu City Mizusawa Industrial Festival Executive Committee (Oshu City Commerce, Industry and Tourism Department, Commerce and Tourism Division)
For inquiries about the Oshu Autumn Festival, please contact the Oshu Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Phone number: 0197-24-3141
Mizusawa's soul food is Kirin Bread
Kirin from Bakery Maruki in Mizusawa Ward, Oshu City , has been a best-seller since its release in 1980 (Showa 55), and is a sweet bread that feels like a snack and has long been loved as a local soul food.
The fluffy and soft bread is 34cm long and is filled with whipped cream, chocolate cream, and other fillings, and is sold in a plastic bag with a cute giraffe illustration
Kirin Pan <Information>
Store name: Bakery Maruki
Address: 92-7 Tokita, Mizusawa, Oshu City, Iwate Prefecture
Tono Festival Yamaguchi Sansa Source: Tohoku Tourism and Travel Information Site Travel Tohoku
This is the annual festival of Tono-go Hachiman Shrine , the largest event held in Tono City, the setting of Kunio Yanagita's " Tono Monogatari
On the first day, there will be a local performing arts parade and a large lion dance groupthe Tono Nambu Yabusame , held at the riding grounds in the grounds of Hachiman Shrine, is a spectacular and impressive event.
Baba,Tono,Iwate.jpg Photographer: Ty19080914
After the Yabusame is over, there is a performance of local performing arts and Kagura dance called Baba Meguri
Tono Festival: Enjoy a variety of local performing arts
Source: Tohoku Tourism and Travel Information Site, Travel Tohoku
There are a wide variety of dances, including Sansa Dance, Shishi Dance, Kagura, Daikagura, Nanbu Bayashi, Teodori, Rice Planting Dance, Toramai, Jinku Dance, Farmer Dance, and Celebration
There are over 60 local performing arts groups in the Tono area that carry on these traditional arts, and many local residents participate in these groups, practicing every day, and then perform the results of their work at the Tono Festival to welcome the locals
Tono Nambu Yabusame, a local performing art
Tono Southern Yabusame Source: Tohoku Tourism and Travel Information Site, Travel Tohoku
Naoharu Nanbu of Hachinohe, who had been transferred to another province, built a riding ground at Tono Hachiman Shrine.
It is a valuable example of Yabusame that continues to convey the unique techniques of the Nanbu clan to the present day, and has been designated a cultural asset by Tono City
Tono Festival: Hometown of Japan <Information>
Name: Japanese Hometown Tono Festival
Event period: The third Saturday to the third Sunday of September every year, and in 2024 from September 21st (Sat) to September 22nd (Sun)
Location: September 21st - Tono City Venue, September 22nd - Tonogo Hachiman Shrine
For inquiries, please contact the Tono Festival Executive Committee (Tono City Tourism and Exchange Division)
Will Zashiki Warashi Soft Cream become a new Tono specialty?
Kappa no Chaya located near Kappa Pond, where kappas are said to be caught using cucumber as bait , is famous for its mild azuki bean flavored Zashiki Warashi Soft Serve Ice Cream , which is gradually gaining popularity.
The red cone that encases the azuki soft serve is as cute as a straw samurai's kimono, making this soft serve ice cream not only delicious but also fun to look at
Apparently azuki beans are a favorite food of Zashiki Warashi, so if you eat them, Zashiki Warashi might appear to you
In addition to the festivals introduced in this article, other grand autumn festivals are held in southern Iwate Prefecture, particularly in cities and towns along the Sanriku coast, such as MiyakoFestival and the Kamaishi Festival in Kamaishi City
We can't introduce them all here, but each festival is unique and worth seeing
Why not visit and enjoy the seafood and festivals of Sanriku?
Autumn Festival Series of the Six Tohoku Prefectures
I am a former Edo guy who loves Morioka, loves the six prefectures of Tohoku, and loves history, gourmet food, travel, sports, alcohol, and singing. We'll introduce you to some interesting, delicious, and good things about Tohoku!
