“The Japanese Traditional Arts” Hachinohe Sansha Taisai Festival （English_long ver.）
Boasting a history of over 300 years, the Hachinohe Sansha Taisai (Three Shrine Festival) has been designated as a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property.
The most notable highlight is the procession of mikoshi (portable shrines) from Ogami Shrine, Chojasan Shinra Shrine, and Shinmei-gu Shrine, as well as the parade of floats (called dashi) featuring subjects such as mythological figures and kabuki characters. As the floats which can reach heights of 10m and widths of 8m pass by, spectators often shout with joy. The nighttime parade of illuminated floats seems to hover in the night air and creates a fantastical atmosphere that provides a completely different way to enjoy the festivities.
Every year for the 5 days from July 31 to August 4, Hachinohe is enveloped in a unique excitement. Over one million people visit the festival by the time it is over. Although it is not as well-known as other summer festivals in the prefecture such as the Nebuta festival, the Sansha Taisai certainly comes second to none when it comes to luster, atmosphere, brilliance, or passion of the festival. The festival takes place before many other summer festivals in the prefecture so if you’re interested in seeing a unique and less crowded festival, come and see the Sansha Taisai and continue on your trip to the northern and western portions of the prefecture after!
English short ver. ➡
More about Hachinohe area ➡
