Best 6 Traditional Festivals “Matsuri” Guide in Tohoku, July 2017
Traditional festivals held in Tohoku for July, 2017 brought to you by MagicalTrip staff. Guaranteed to experience the local atmosphere and lifestyle to its fullest! Might end up being the highlight of your Tohoku sightseeing trip.Wondering what to do? Besides festivals, we also cover various other must-see events in Tohoku, July 2017! There are also lots of interesting festivals and events held in well known cities of Japan. Check it out!
Must-see! Hachinohe Sansha Festival – 31 July
The Hachinohe Sansha Festival is a festival with a history and tradition of 300 years. The highlights of this festival are the mikoshi parades of the 3 shrine collaboration between Ogami Shrine, Chojyasan Shrine and Shinmeigu and the 27 floats based on myths and kabuki. At night, these floats are lighted and create a different atmosphere from the day time. There is also the popular “Toramai” where a tiger character will come and bite you to give you peace and a healthy life in return. This event will no doubt be fun with its luxurious festive floats and lively drums.
Schedule
31st July : PM6:00-
1st August : PM3:00-
2nd August : PM2:00- / PM6:00-
3rd August : PM3:00-
4th August : PM6:00-
Access & Address
50 min by walk from Hachinohe Station
- 1 hour 50 min by train from Aomori Station
Held around Hachinohe-shi, Aomori
Price / Charge & Reservation
For free & don’t need to reserve.
Also, there are paid seats (2,200 yen / 1st to 3rd August)
Tickets needs to be purchased in advance.
Please contact us for advance ticket status.
Official Site
Hachinohe Sansha Festival Official Site
Must-see! Mount Osore Big Festival – 20 to 24 July
Mount Osore is a mountain known as a sacred place. It is said that after people die, their souls continue to live within this mountain. Hence there are many Jizo that cover the mountain, and while it is known as a sacred place, you may feel a little scared. In Mount Osore, there are shrine maidens called “Itako” who will voice the words of the spirits during the festival. Many people from all over Japan gather to seek help of Itako to talk to their gone loved ones. Although it might be a bit scary, this mount osore festival held in northern Japan, Aomori, would be a unique and unforgettable experience.
Schedule
20th to 24th July : AM6:00-PM6:00
Access & Address
40 min by bus from Shimokita Station
- 2 hour 35min by train from Aomori Station
Held around 3-2 Usoriyama, Tanabeji, Mutsu-shi, Aomori
Price / Charge & Reservation
Mountain entrance fee … 500 yen per adult / 200 yen per child
Don’t need to reserve.
Official Site
Mount Osore Big Festival Official Site
1. Hachimangu Shrine Festival – 14 to 15 July
Hachimangu Shrine Festival is a traditional festival which started over 750 years ago and is still loved by the locals. Uemachi and Shitamachi residents switching every year play large drums for Tsuzureko shrine to pray for rain and good harvest. These large drums are so big that they were registered as Guiness world record! Drums with a diameter of 4 meters spread there roaring sound as they march the city. In addition, traditional dances are also worth seeing during this festival. This historic festival has continued from the Kamakura period, and is definetely a must see.
Schedule
14th July : PM7:00-
15th July : AM11:00-
Access & Address
40 min by walk from Nukazawa Station
- 1 hour 50 min by train from Akita Station
Held around 46 Tsuzurekojinishitate, Kitaakita-shi, Akita
Price / Charge & Reservation
For free & don’t need to reserve.
Official Site
Hachimangu Shrine Festival Official Site
2. Hikiyama event of Tsuchizaki Shinmeishya – 20 to 21 July
At the Hikiyama event of the world cultural heritage sight, Tsuchizaki Shinmeishya, 20 mikoshi from Tsuchizaki area walk around the town while chanting “Minato Bayashi” which are special chats for this event. This festival said to have started in 1702, first starts on the 20th where men in fundoshi parade around the city to Tsuchizaki Shinmeishya with warrior dolls, and on the 21th, these men will carry the mikoshi in the “Modori Hikiyama” back to their towns.
Schedule
29th July : PM4:00-10:00
Access & Address
20 min by walk from Tsuchizaki Station
- 3 hour by train from Sendai Station
Held around Tsuchizaki Port, Akita-shi, Akita
Price / Charge & Reservation
For free & don’t need to reserve.
Official Site
Hikiyama event of Tsuchizaki Shinmeishya Official Site
3. Shiogama Minato Festival – 17 July
source:flickr
“The Shiogama Minato Festival” is a festival that features a luxurious mikoshi crossing the sea. This sight of mikoshi crossing the sea is very rare and majestic. Over 100 ships cross the sea while striking their bells and drums, which follow “Ryuhoumaru” and “Hououmaru”, two holy ships which carry “Shiwahiko Shrine” and “Shiogama Shrine”‘s mikoshi. I’m sure you will be amazed by this majestic sight of over 100 ships crossing the sea while raising their flags and hitting the drums. During the festival, there will also be parades held in the Shiogama city center, and over 10,000 fireworks shot from the Shiogama port.
Schedule
17th July : AM10:30-PM7:00
Access & Address
10 min by walk from Shiogama Station
- 30 min by train from Sendai Station
Held around Minatomachi & Nishimachi & Motomachi & Miyamachi, Shiogama-shi, Miyagi
Price / Charge & Reservation
For free & don’t need to reserve.
Official Site
Shiogama Minato Festival Official Site
4. Aizu Tajima Gion Festival – 22 to 24 July
Gion Festival is celebrated all around Japan and of all the Gion Festivals, Aizu Tajima Gion Festival is known as one of the three major Gion Festivals. The highlight of the event is the bride march where women in kimonos march as a group, and the kabuki performed by children. Many tourists hold their cameras in hopes of capturing the best shot in this marvelous experience in the frame.
In addition, an event known as “Yatai-biki” is held where stalls with children on them stroll around the town with impressive shouts from men.
The operation of the stalls is also called “Fighting Festival”. and you will be impressed and charmed by the clash of the stalls.
Schedule
22nd July : PM4:00-10:30
23rd July : AM7:50-10:30
24th July : PM1:00-3:00
Access & Address
1 min by walk from Aizu Tajima Station
- 2 hour 35 min by train from Sendai Station
Held around Tajimajinakamachi, Aizu-cho, Fukushima
Price / Charge & Reservation
For free & don’t need to reserve.
