🏮 Dekansho Sai

デカンショ祭

Sasayama, Hyogo (Sasayama Castle Ruins Sannomaru Plaza Area) · Every year on 15 August

Summer festivalBon odoriTraditional performing artsFood stalls

335 days to go
Rooms around Sasayama, Hyogo fill up while the festival is on.

The Tamba Sasayama Dekansho Festival is one of the largest folk song festivals in western Japan, held annually on August 15 and 16 around the Sannomaru Plaza at the Sasayama Castle Ruins in Tamba Sasayama City, Hyogo Prefecture. Organized by the Dekansho Festival Executive Committee, it is a midsummer tradition where people enjoy bon dancing to the folk song "Dekansho Bushi," passed down since the Edo period. "Dekansho Bushi" has been recognized as a Japan Heritage, and its lyrics—numbering as many as 300 verses—express the climate, humanity, famous places, and specialty products of the former castle town, and have been sung and passed down by local people. There are various theories about its origin, but as a valuable folk song that weaves together the region's history and daily life, new lyrics continue to be created even today. The highlight of the festival is the "Yagura Soodori" (tower grand dance), which gathers over a thousand participants and anyone can join freely. On both nights, a total of 1,000 fireworks are launched, and about 180 food stalls line the area. In addition, the "Shigaichi Soshoku" (city area decoration) features lanterns decorated with drawings by local elementary school children, illuminating the castle town and creating a night in the old capital enveloped in sound and light.

Getting there

Public transportation: From JR Fukuchiyama Line "Sasayamaguchi" Station, take a Shinki Bus for about 10 minutes, get off at "Sasayama Honmachi," and walk 5 minutes. By car: About 10 minutes from the Maizuru-Wakasa Expressway "Tamba Sasayama IC." Temporary parking is available from August 6 to 18.