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[Aizu Tajima Gion Festival Photo Report: Part 2] Seven-lined procession, also known as Japan's number one bride procession [Minami Aizu Town, Fukushima Prefecture]
[Aizu Tajima Gion Festival Photo Report: Part 2] Seven-lined procession, also known as Japan's number one bride procession [Minami Aizu Town, Fukushima Prefecture]
Minamiaizu Town is located in the southwest part of Fukushima Prefecture, just a little southerly, in Tochigi Prefecture. in this area, also known as "Okuaizu"one of Japan's three major Gion festivals is held every year?
In this article, we will be bringing you a look at the second day procession festival (main festival)the Aizu-Tajima Gion Festival
Check out the link below to see what happened on the first day
The Aizu-Tajima Gion Festival is said to have originated around 1185 during the Kamakura period, when the lord Naganuma Munemasa worshiped the Gion god as the god of Gion as the god of castle protection, and the Gion festival was held along with the festival at Tade Uga Shrine, the guardian of Tajima.
It has long been known as "Gion Shrine in the West, Nakatsushima Shrine, and East Tade Uga Shrine." For more information, please see the following article.
The festival takes place for three days from July 22nd to 24th each year, and the main festival is the 23rd, Chunichi.
The main festival on the second day begins early in the morning
2025.07.22 Aizu-Tajima Gion Festival_Morning of the second day of the main festival
The Nanahokaigyoretsu (Seven-Panel Procession) which is synonymous with the Aizu-Tajima Gion Festival, takes place in the morning of the second day of the festival. It starts around 7:00 AM. From this time, spectators gradually begin to gather around the venue, Tadeuga Shrine and Nanahokaigyoretsu Street.
The procession departs at 7:50 a.m. along National Route 121, the main road for the previous day's evening festival, and continues for about 40 minutes until around 8:30 a.m., carrying offerings placed in seven vessels to be dedicated to Tadeuga Shrine
The "Seven-Party Procession" is said to be the best bridal procession in Japan
As you take up position in front of the shrine, you can see the head of the procession in the distance. It slowly moves forward surrounded by many spectators
The name "Seven-line vessels" comes from the vessels used to hold offerings. Currently, ten-line vessels are offered, including the seven-line vessels offered to Tadeuga Shrine and three vessels offered to Kumano Shrine
The highest temperature recorded in Tajima that day was 31.5 degrees Celsius. It was so hot that it was uncomfortable to even stand, and I imagine that everyone in their wedding attire was extremely hot
By the way, brides for the Shichigyōki procession are being recruited from the general public. As for the cost, subsidies will be provided for the cost of dressing, makeup, and wigs at beauty salons in the town, so if you are interested, please contact the Minamiaizu Tourism Association.
It seems that they are recruiting brides for that year until around June every year
When they arrive at the shrine, the Otoyagumi (the group carrying the seven vessels) enter the main shrine building and a dedication ceremony is held for the seven vessels they have brought: three sake barrels filled with doburoku, three vessels filled with red rice, and one fish tray.
After the dedication ceremony of the seven-line procession, the portable shrine procession
After the dedication ritual is completed, the portable shrine departure ceremony begins. The portable shrine purification ceremony and the portable shrine moving ceremony are held, and the portable shrine leaves the shrine at around 10:00 AM
As the time for the portable shrine to be set off approaches, a person dressed in a flashy outfit consisting of a rip-off haori coat with a wave and houndstooth pattern, a five-colored sash, and a crown made of a single piece of wood on his head, walks around loudly chanting "Oshido-tsuge" and "Otate-tsuge" with grand gestures reminiscent of a Kabuki actor's rokuho-tamp
The reporters' tour ended with seeing the portable shrine set off, but after touring the town, the portable shrine returns to the shrine, where various ceremonies are completed. In the evening, just like on the first day, the large floats are paraded around and a kabuki performance is held
On the final day, the 24th, the festival concludes with the dedication of the Izumo-ryu Daidai Kagura
When it comes to summer festivals in the Tohoku region, attention tends to be focused on the Nebuta Festival and Kanto Festival, which are known as the "Six Great Tohoku Festivals," but I was able to reaffirm that there are many more wonderful festivals in various places
Minamiaizu Town is quite far from both the Shinkansen and the expressway, making it difficult to access, but this festival gave us the feeling that perhaps it is precisely because of this location that the traditional "image of Japan" has been passed down to this day. If you have the opportunity, please do visit
Traveling around the Tohoku region, I enjoy drinking delicious sake and exploring the local history, traditions, and customs. I write articles based on my interests. I'm currently interested in folk performing arts, local toys, and folk beliefs.
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