🏮 Take no Nobori

岳の幟

Ueda, Nagano (別所神社) · Every year on 31 July

Summer festivalTraditional performing arts

320 days to go
Rooms around Ueda, Nagano fill up while the festival is on.

Také no Nobori is a rain-praying festival held at Bessho Shrine in the Bessho Onsen district of Ueda City, on the Sunday closest to July 15. In 1504, during a severe drought, villagers climbed Mount Fuginé and prayed, and rain fell; ever since, a dragon deity has been enshrined at the summit and cloth woven by each household has been offered. It is a traditional event that has continued for over 520 years, surviving disasters, wars, and epidemics. Early in the morning, a ritual is held at the small shrine of Kuzuryu (nine-headed dragon deity) at the summit of Mount Fuginé, where representatives of the residents offer bolts of cloth. Afterwards, with banners depicting a rising dragon and a descending dragon at the front, about 50 banners with cloth stretched on bamboo poles descend the mountain, and at the foot they join the Shinto priest of Bessho Shrine, the parish council representatives, and a group performing three-headed lion dance and sasara dance. From about 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., they parade through four locations within the Bessho Onsen district and Bessho Shrine, dedicating lion dances and sasara dances.

Getting there

About 15 minutes on foot from Bessho Onsen Station to each venue in the Bessho Onsen district. Parking is limited, so use of public transportation is recommended.