🏮 Tanabe Matsuri

田辺祭

Tanabe, Wakayama (鬪雞神社) · Every year on 24 July (eve) and 25 July (main festival)

Summer festivalMikoshiTraditional performing artsFloats

313 days to go
Rooms around Tanabe, Wakayama fill up while the festival is on.

Tanabe Festival, the annual grand festival of Kifune Shrine in Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture, has a history of over 460 years and is one of the "Three Great Festivals of Kishu" along with Waka Festival and Kokawa Festival. It is held every year on July 24 (Yoimiya) and 25 (Honmatsuri), and is designated as an intangible folk cultural property of Wakayama Prefecture. The festival began in the mid-16th century and was held in June during the Edo period, but since 1907 (Meiji 40) it has been held on its current dates in July. It is said to "begin with horses and end with horses," starting with the April Ota Festival and events on the day before the festival, and concluding with the horseback archery (yabusame) on the main festival day. The main attractions are the procession of over 100 priests and others carrying the mikoshi (portable shrine), the parade of kasaboko (umbrella floats) from the eight towns of the former Tanabe Castle town, and the horseback archery on the night of the main festival. Kasaboko floats up to 4.5 meters tall, each enshrining a doll from its town, are paraded through the streets, and a purification ritual is performed in which three young riders shoot nine arrows. Four nearby shrines, including Yatsutachi Inari Shrine, also make offerings, and the festival is held throughout the community.

Getting there

If you are coming by car, please use the Municipal Ogigahama Parking Lot (first hour free, then 100 yen per hour, approximately 400 spaces, available 24 hours).