🏮 Saio Matsuri

斎王まつり

Meiwa, Mie (Saiku Heian no Mori to Saiku Historical Museum Area (Within Saiku Site Historic Land)) · Every year, the first weekend of June (Saturday and Sunday)

Summer festivalTraditional performing arts

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The Saiō Matsuri is held in Meiwa, Mie Prefecture, on the first weekend of June every year, and takes its name from the Ise Saigū that once stood in this area. The venue covers the Saikū Heian no Mori and the surrounding area of the Saigū ruins within the designated historic site around the Saigū History Museum, and the festival is organized by the Saiō Matsuri Executive Committee. The festival began as a reenactment of the gunko procession, in which the Saiō and her attendants traveled from the capital to the Saigū residence in Ise during the Heian period. The Saiō gunko started in 1985 as part of the third festival, was reorganized from 1989 onward into a form based on Heian-period historical research, and from 1995 onward began accepting participants from outside the town as well. It is now known as one of the three great Saiō gunko. The main attraction is the Saiō gunko, held at 13:00 on the second day. One hundred twenty people dressed in Heian costumes depart from Saikū Heian no Mori and march through Uezono Shiba Hiroba toward the Saigū History Museum. The Saiō, wearing junihitoe, rides in a niesōren, and the procession includes a child Saiō, court ladies, military officers, and many other roles, recreating a colorful Heian picture scroll. On both days there are also a Saiō market selling local specialties and a eve-of-festival event, bringing the elegance of the period back to this historic site.