🏮 Johana Hikiyama Matsuri

城端曳山祭

Nanto, Toyama (Johana Area) · Every year on 5 May

UNESCO Intangible Cultural HeritageImportant Intangible Folk Cultural PropertyMikoshiTraditional performing artsFood stallsFloats

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Johana Hikiyama Matsuri is the spring festival of Johana Shinmei Shrine, held every year on May 5 in the Johana area of Nanto, Toyama Prefecture. It is designated a national Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property and is also inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list. Lion dances, kenboko (halberd floats), eight kasaboko (umbrella floats), banners of the four gods, four mikoshi (portable shrines), six annyatai (tea-house floats), and six hikiyama (festival floats) parade through the old town, known as the Little Kyoto of Etchu. The festival's origins date back to Johana Shinmei Shrine, founded in 1574 (Tensho 2). When the shrine buildings were rebuilt in 1685 (Jokyo 2), spring and autumn festivals began, and from 1717 (Kyoho 2) processions of mikoshi and lion dances were added. In 1719 (Kyoho 4) the hikiyama floats were completed, and by 1724 (Kyoho 9) they were being towed along in the mikoshi procession, establishing the current form. From the late Meiji period to the late Taisho period, each neighborhood competed to improve its floats, creating the gorgeous hikiyama seen today. Distinctive features include the floats called "gyuyama" owned by the six districts of the old town, and the annyatai modeled after restaurants. At various viewing spots, young men in montsuki hakama (formal kimono) perform Edo-flavored an-uta songs with transverse flutes, shamisen, and drums, and at night the floats become chochin-yama lantern floats that enliven the town. Visitors can enjoy the performances at special viewing spots, and the diverse procession also includes the centipede lion as a path-clearer and kenboko about 8 meters tall.

Getting there

Train: From Kanazawa Station, take the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Shin-Takaoka Station, then the JR Johana Line to Johana Station, which is right there. Bus: From Kanazawa Station, take the Kaetsuno Bus Nanto-Kanazawa Line to the Johana Ekimae bus stop, which is right there. Car: About 40 minutes from Kanazawa Station.