Best 6 Traditional Festivals “Matsuri” Guide in Hiroshima, August 2017 (w/Photos)
Hiroshima is a tourist city that is popular not only to foreign tourists, but also to Japanese locals. You can view the astonishing streets, temples, shrines and more. Due to the old history of the city, there are many historical festivals that are held in Hiroshima. It is a wonderful place to go sightseeing, but how about going on a whole another level by participating in the festivals to enjoy Hiroshima even more?
1. Miyajima Firework Competition – August 26th
Miyajima, Hiroshima prefecture, is known as one of the three major sightseeing spots in Japan.
The large crimson torii (gates of shrines) at Itsukushima shrine is registered as world heritage making itself already a good place to visit but it’s even better when the firework competition at Summer is on the show.
Other than the 5000 rounds of fireworks mainly consisted of starmines, the submerged fireworks that are thrown into the water from the ships explode rather close leaving you in awe. It will for sure satisfy you with 100 rounds of 30cm diameter rounds as well.
Co-starring of historical building and Summer tradition is quite rare and is popular even within Japan.
Cruise ships will be available to watch the fantastic torii up close mid-firework.
Schedule
August 26th, 2017 (Sat) PM7:40-8:40
Access & Address
Firework launching ship 400m from Miyajima Shrine’s large torii
Admission & Reservation
Exclusive seat is available post September 1st, 2017 (Sat) 9:00AM~
Official Site
2. Hiroshima: Satoyama Future Exhibition August 1st-31th, 2017
An opportunity to expand your human network through various events done in mountains rich in nature.
Make seasonal dishes with the locals using the ingredients collected at site at “Etajima Local Cuisine Cooking Event”. In addition, if you’re party of 5 or above, you can experience pizza making with stone oven even outside of planned dates.
Hiroshima also has active Kagura communities. On the “Day of Kagura”, Kagura teams gather from 4 areas of Kitahiroshima City to perform various Kagura. In addition, visitors can wear the costumes making it a popular event both within adults and children.
Stamp rally will be simultaneously held with a prize of local specialties as a prize.
Schedule
August 1st, 2017 (Tues) – August 31st, 2017 (Thurs)
Access & Address
19 cities located between the mountains in Hiroshima
Admission & Reservation
Free Admission
No reservations needed
Official Site
3. Inno Shima Marine, Fire, Sea Festival – August 26th – 27th
This is a festival that reproduces the Murakami Marine that use to set their base at Inno Shima.
The festival consists of island, fire, and sea festivals with everyone from the island hyping up the festival making it not only an enjoyable festival to watch but to participate.
At fire festival, samurais fully armored gather at the shore at night firing a large firework at the climax.
There will be boat race using “Kobaya”, a wooden ship that Murakami Marine used for messaging, and visitors can experience rowing of the said Kobaya.
No need to worry about souvenirs and food because there are various stall vendor stands and “Marine Towel” with Marine samurais is perfect for gifts.
Schedule
August 26th, 2017 (Sat) – August 27th, 2017(Sun)
Access & Address
Inno Jima Amenity Park, Simanami Beach
【From main island side】About 5mins from North Inno Jima IC on Shimanami Kaido by car
【From Shikoku side】About 10mins from South Inno Jima IC on Shimanami Kaido by car
Admission & Reservation
Free Admission
No reservations needed
Official Site
Innoshima Suigun Festival Official Site
4. Hiroshima Kagura Regular Performance – August 2nd, 9th, 16th, 19th, 23th, 30th
Hiroshima is known to be one of the limited places within Japan to enjoy Kagura.
There are five types of Kagura in Hiroshima; “Aki Juuni Jingi” now rare medieval Kagura, “Geihoku Kagura” the newest Kagura at Hiroshima, “Geiyoshoto Kagura” performed on the islands of Seto inlands seas, “Hiba Kojin Kagura” old-style kagura, and “Bigo Kagura” performed with songs and story.
Hiroshima Kagura has become a new form of entertainment that dedicates the abundant grace and prayer to gods with gorgeous costumes and dances is enjoyable to children and adults regardless of age and sex.
There are various showings such as “Yamata no Orochi”, “Takiyasha Hime” and “Modori Bashi” no need to sit through all of them at one showing and you can choose which ones to watch!
Schedule
August 2th, 9th, 16th, 23th, 30th (Opens at 6:00 PM, starts at 7:00 PM, ends around 8:45)
Special Performance on August 19th
Opens at 12:00 PM, starts at 1:00 PM, ends around 5:00 PM
Access & Address
Hiroshima Prefectural Culture Center 1-3 Otemachi Naka-ku Hiroshima-shi, Hiroshima Prefecture 730-0051 5-3
Admission & Reservation
1000 Yen (Tax included, All seats reserved)
※Ticket is going to be sold from 5:00 PM on the day at the hall
※Under 3 years old kids can watch over the legs of parents
【Special Performance on August 19th】
Entrance fee 2000yen(Included tax, All seats reserved
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Those tickets start to be sold from 9:00 AM on July 3rd at 1st floor front desk of Hiroshima Prefecture Cultural Centre.
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Those tickets start to be sold from 11:00 AM on the day.
Official Site
Hiroshima Kagura Regular Performance Official Website
5. Miyo’s Usho August 1st-31st, 2017
“Ukai” is a traditional fishing method practiced since the Nara era.
Miyo’s Ukai’s biggest characteristic is that the leash length is 6.75m which is the longest in Japan’s Ukai community.
Also, “Usho”, the one who leads the cormorants, must control where the boat is heading to while focusing on the cormorants to not miss them catching trout requires a dynamic yet sensitive controls attracting the viewers.
Of course, the dishes served in the ship uses the freshly caught trout served in various forms even including sashimi which is rare due to its difficulty in keeping the fish fresh.
The unique white cormorant gifted by Sichuan Province, China as a symbol of friendship is must see.
Schedule
August 1st, 2017 (Tues) – August 31st, 2017 (Thurs)
Access & Address
Usho boarding area Miyo City Tokai chi Sinsui Park
*About 15mins from Miyoshi IC on Chuugoku express way
*About 15mins from East Miyoshi IC on Onomichi Matsue express way
*About 15mins on foot from Miyoshi station on Geibi line
Admission & Reservation
【Regular】Sun-Thurs：Adult 3,000 Yen（With seats 3,500 Yen）Child 1,500 Yen（With seats 1,750 Yen）Fri・Sat：Adult 3,300 Yen（With seats 3,800 Yen）Child 1,650 Yen（With seats 1,900 Yen）
【Reserved Ship】Sun-Thurs：11 People 30,000 Yen、With seats （10 People）32,000 Yen、Fri・Sat：11 People 33,000 Yen、With seats （10 People）35,000 Yen
*Group discount: 10% off (Over 15 people including both adults and children)
【Service Day/July and September’s Mon-Thurs】Adult 2,700 Yen（With seats 3,200 Yen）Child 1,350 Yen（With seats 1,600 Yen）
【Reserved Ship】11 People 27,000 Yen、With seats （10 People）29,000 Yen
【Child Exclusive Pack】1 Ship 15,000 Yen（*Excluding Saturday）
【Accommodation Pack】Boarding Fee+1 night 2 meals、11,000 Yen（Sanji Grand Hotel）9,500 Yen（Business Hotel New Taka）
【Reservation】To board the ship, reservation must be made prior to 5:00PM of the day before the desired date. Reservation can be made by phone call to Miyoshi Tourist Association
Official Site
Miyo’s Usho Festival Official pdf
6. Onomichi – Omo no Ura sea route – Weekends and holidays of August
Onomichi has fascinated many writers and film directors and has been used as filming spot for numerous dramas and movies. The secret to its attraction are the retro landscapes such as old temples and narrow alleys and cobble stone roads and slopes along with quietly standing fashionable café.
In addition, Tomo no Ura attracts families and couples with its atmosphere of the end of Edo era and its symbol Joya-to and historical cityscape of port city.
There is also a “Historical Tour Guide” where a veteran guide explains the historical significance in such way that even children will be interested so even if you’re not interested in history, maybe this will bring you into the world of history.
The relaxing cruise ship sails from Onomichi Station to Tomo no Ura over the course of 1 hour is very convenient because it also stops at the Onomichi Senko Temple Roapway.
Schedule
Weekends and holidays of August 1st, 2017 (Tues) – August 31st, 2017 (Thurs)
Access & Address
Fukuyama City, Hiroshima Prefecture Onomichi JR Station – Senko Temple Shimoasa Bridge Ropeway boarding area – Tomo no Ura Prefectural Shallow Bridge
Admission & Price
Adults 2200 Yen、Children 1100 Yen
Tickets are sold 1 month – 3 days prior to boarding day
