This site is an online media that delivers all sorts of trivia about the six Tohoku prefectures, from sightseeing and gourmet spots to local customs, history, and more
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
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
In this article, we will introduce festivals that take place according to the calendar, from August 7th to November, as "Autumn Festivals."
What is the definition of a festival?
Kamaishi Festival Source: Iwate Prefecture Official Tourism Site Iwate Travel
The definition of "festival" on Wikipedia is "an act (ritual) of worshiping gods, Buddhas, and ancestors for the purpose of gratitude, prayer, and consolation."
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
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 as an intangible folk cultural property of Iwate Prefecture,Yamada Hachimangu ShrineandOsugi Shrine, are held together. The first day is the eve of the festival at Yamada Hachimangu Shrine, the second day is the procession of the same shrine, and the third day, Respect for the Aged Day, is the procession of Osugi Shrine.
On the first and second days, the large portable shrine of Hachiman Shrine is paraded through Yamada town as a "wild portable shrine," and Hachiman Daikagura, Hachiman Shikamai, and Yamada Sakaita Toramai are performed as offerings. At the Osugi Shrine's Shinkosai, the portable shrine is carried out on the sea.
Osugi Shrine, which was washed away by the tsunami caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake and has since been rebuilt
the god of fishing, "Amba-sama," is enshrined, the highlight of the festival is the "Oshigori," a sea procession of the Osugi Shrine's portable shrine, carried by a group of men across the ocean.
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 "Oyster Hut," where you can eat all the steamed oysters you want, but unfortunately, it's only open from November to the end of May, so you can't enjoy it at the Yamada Festival.
For those who want to enjoy Yamada's oysters, I 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 the currently popular Major League Baseball player Shohei Ohtani, the "Oshu Mizusawa Summer Festival," which was held in early August until last year, has been renamed the "Oshu Autumn," and this yearYosakoiit will be a joint event of three festivals, including
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
LocalShishiodori(deer dance) anddemon sword dance), as well as high school dance clubs and brass bands, will showcase their talents.
Among these,the Tan'e region(Mizusawa, Esashi, and Maesawa), where young people (and middle-aged and older) who are of an age considered unlucky participate in the dance for the purpose of warding off bad luckYakudoshi Ren/Toshiiwai Renthere is a custom called
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
in Mizusawa Ward, Oshu CityPan Kobo Maruki"Kirin Pan, has been a long-selling product since its release in 1980 (Showa 55), and is a sweet bread that 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
Kunio Yanagita's "Tono MonogatariThis is the largest event held in Tono City, the setting ofTono-go Hachimangu Shrine.
On the first day, a "Local Performing Arts Parade" and a "Lion Dance Group Performance" will be held on the street in front of Tono Station, as well as a joint performance of local performing arts and Kagura (Shintoheld on the horse track within the grounds of Hachimangu ShrineTono Nanbu Yabusamewill be a spectacular and breathtaking spectacle.
Baba,Tono,Iwate.jpg Photographer: Ty19080914
Furthermore, after the Yabusame (mounted archery) event, there is a joint performance of local performing arts and Kagura (Shinto music and dance) called "Baba Meguri" (Baba Tour) in the horse riding grounds, where you can enjoy a performance amidst nature that is quite different from those held in the city.
Tono Festival: Enjoy a variety of local performing arts
Source: Tohoku Tourism and Travel Information Site, Travel Tohoku
Sansa dance, Shishi dance, Kagura, Daikagura, Nanbu Bayashi, Teodori, Taue dance, Toramai, Jinku dance, Hyakusho dance, and OiwaiThe types of dances are diverse, including
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
TonoNanbu Yabusame originated in 1661 (Kanbun 1) when Nanbu Naosuke of Hachinohe, who had been transferred to another domain, constructed a horse riding ground at Tono Hachimangu 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?
located near Kappa-buchi (Kappa Pool), where it is said that kappa can be caught using cucumber bait,Kappa no Chaya" (Kappa Teahouse," a specialty ofZashiki Warashi Soft Serve Ice Creamis gradually gaining popularity. The
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 those mentioned in this article,Miyako Autumn Festival" in Miyako City and the "Kamaishi Festivalmany other grand autumn festivals are held in the southern part of Iwate Prefecture, particularly in municipalities along the Sanriku coast, including
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'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!
