🏮 Sakata Minato Matsuri
酒田港まつり
Sakata, Yamagata (Sakata City Naka-machi Area) · Every year on the 1st Friday of August
326 days to go
Rooms around Sakata, Yamagata fill up while the festival is on.
The Sakata Port Festival (official name: Kamishimo Hie Shrine Sanno Reitaisai "Sakata Festival") is a traditional festival held in Sakata City, Yamagata Prefecture. It is organized by Kamishimo Hie Shrine and Shimoshimo Hie Shrine, and originates from the Sanno Festival, which has continued without interruption since 1609 (Keicho 14). In 1979, it began to be held under the name "Sakata Festival" to commemorate the reconstruction after the Great Sakata Fire. Highlights include the "shishi pakkun," in which children put their heads in the mouth of a large lion to be bitten as a prayer for good health, as well as a colorful period procession, the Sakata Oiran Dochu, and a float parade. On the eve of the festival, May 19, there are stage performances by high school students and local groups, and a nighttime float procession. The main festival is on May 20, and the after-festival is on May 21. Paid seating is also available.
Getting there
About 15 minutes on foot from JR Sakata Station, or get off at the "Nakamachi" bus stop on a route bus from Sakata Station front, immediately there.
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