🏮 Tsuchizaki Shinmei Shrine Festival

土崎神明社祭の曳山行事

Akita (Tsuchizaki Shinmei Shrine) · Every year on 20 and 21 July

UNESCO Intangible Cultural HeritageImportant Intangible Folk Cultural PropertySummer festivalMikoshiTraditional performing artsFood stallsFloatsBon odori

Official site →

309 days to go
Rooms around Akita fill up while the festival is on.

Check availability

The Tsuchizaki Shinmeisha Festival's Hikiyama event is the annual festival of Tsuchizaki Shinmeisha Shrine in the Tsuchizaki Minato district of Akita City, Akita Prefecture, and has been designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property, continuing since the 18th century. Every year it is held as the Tsuchizaki Minato Hikiyama Festival on July 20 (the eve) and July 21 (the main festival day), and it is cherished as a summer event rooted in the community. On the eve of the 20th, each neighborhood parades its hikiyama (festival float), prays for protection from evil, and performs the Satsuki Shrine pilgrimage to Tsuchizaki Shinmeisha Shrine, along with entertainments such as children's circle dances. On the main festival day of the 21st, following the procession of the mikoshi (portable shrine), the Miyuki Hikiyama, which begins in the early afternoon with a signal of smoke, parades through the north and south of Tsuchizaki. Then, at the Modori Hikiyama, which starts with a smoke signal at 8 p.m., the hikiyama illuminated with red square lanterns dash violently along with the hayashi music of the Aiya Bushi, and the hikiyama pullers dance the Tsuchizaki Bon Dance, reaching the climax of the festival.

Getting there

About 15 minutes on foot from Tsuchizaki Station on the JR Ou Main Line. Alternatively, get off at the Tsuchizaki Minato bus stop on the Akita Chuo Kotsu bus. By car, from National Route 7, head toward Minatocho. Traffic restrictions are in place during the festival.