Here’s the fireworks (hanabi) schedule for Shiga Prefecture in summer 2010 listed by date: July 17, 2010 Echigawa Gion Noryo Hanabi Taikai in Aisho, 7:30 pm – 9:20 pm Along the Echigawa River bank near Miyukibashi Bridge. If rained out, to be postponed to July 18. 愛知川祇園納涼祭花火大会 More info: 愛荘町秦荘観光協会／愛荘町愛知川観光協会 TEL：0749-37-8051 http://www.biwa.ne.jp/~e-machi/new/hanabitaikai.html July 24, 2010 Kashiwabara-juku [...]
Posts under ‘Festivals’
Yokaichi giant kite under construction
Every three years, the giant kite flown at Higashi-Omi’s annual Yokaichi Odako (Giant Kite) Matsuri festival in May is replaced with a new one. And this year in 2010 is when they are building a new giant kite to replace the old one which saw its third and last flight in May 2010. The retired [...]
More spring festivals in Shiga
During this rainy season, I’m staying at home to sort through the thousands of photos I took in Shiga during spring. Here are a few more festivals in Shiga which I photographed during spring. Sanno Matsuri held by Hiyoshi Taisha in Otsu (Part 1 and 2): Sanno Matsuri photos: http://photoguide.jp/pix/thumbnails.php?album=11 Minakuchi Hikiyama Matsuri is a [...]
Chawan Matsuri at Yogo on May 4, 2009
Yogo town, home of Lake Yogo in northern Shiga, held an unusual festival called the Chawan Matsuri or Teacup Festival. It’s been 6 years since it was last held in 2003. It supposed to be held every 3 years, but depopulation and the lack of funds and young people has threatened the continuation of the [...]
Tsuchiyama Saio Princess Procession
On March 29, 2009, I saw the Saio Princess Procession in Tsuchiyama (あいの土山斎王群行). It was very nice. The Saio princess was an unmarried, young Imperial princess, often the Emperor’s daughter, who was appointed (by divination) to be the High Priestess of Ise Grand Shrines in Mie Prefecture from the 7th to 14th centuries. Whenever there [...]
Cherry blossoms in full bloom in most of Shiga
Cherry blossoms at most of the major spots in Shiga are now in full bloom, as of April 7-8. Otsu, Hikone, Nagahama, Yasu, etc., are in full bloom. Only the colder areas like Oku-Biwako Parkway, Biwako Valley, and Enryakuji are still not in full bloom yet. Kaizu-Osaki and Hachiman-bori will be in full bloom by [...]
Taga Taisha Setsubun
On Feb. 3, 2009, I went to see Setsubun mame-maki at Taga Taisha Shrine for the first time. They had an Oni demon dance group from Shimane-ken to act as the oni. They wore a gorgeous costume and they were the best-looking oni I ever saw for Setsubun. See my video and photos: Photos: http://photoguide.jp/pix/thumbnails.php?album=727
Otsu Matsuri
Held on Oct. 11-12, 2008, this is another major float festival in Shiga where they display and pull ornate floats along the city streets. I went to see both the festival eve called Yoimiya when they display the floats on the streets at night. The floats are lit up with lanterns and musicians also play. [...]
Mascot character festival
I went to the ゆるキャラ festival yesterday on Yume-Kyobashi Castle Road. I’m not a fan of mascot characters, but I wanted to see the spectacle of so many people gathered to see over 40 mascots walking around. It was a very successful event. I’m sure Hikone will want to hold this festival every year. Photos: http://photoguide.jp/pix/thumbnails.php?album=584 [...]
Ennichi festival at Kinomoto
On Aug. 25, 2008, I went to see the Ennichi festival in Kinomoto. Nice sunny day and lots of people and food stalls along the road to Jizo-in temple. I didn’t stay to see the fireworks though. Pictures: http://photoguide.jp/pix/index.php?cat=172
Yokaichi giant kite festival 2008
On Sun., May 25, I went to see the Yokaichi Giant Kite Festival. I got there after 1 pm, just when they were preparing to fly the giant kite. At about 1:45 pm, they flew the big kite for over 3 min. The longest flight I’ve ever seen. Everyone was happy and relieved. It was [...]
Making Yokaichi giant kite
As you may know, the Yokaichi giant kite is replaced with a new one every three years. This year is when they will make a new giant kite. During this past weekend on July 7-8, they announced the new kite design and started making the new giant kite. I missed this event three years ago, [...]
Sagicho Matsuri
I stayed in Shiga until last weekend and saw the Sagicho Matsuri on both Sat. and Sun. It was great! I was very impressed by the colorful Sagicho floats made of edible materials like soybeans, small fish, aoi-nori, and many other ingredients. They were all fantastic works of art. It was very windy and cold [...]
Hikone Castle Parade
On Nov. 3, Culture Day, I went to see the Hikone Castle Parade. It was good. Here are the pictures: http://photoguide.jp/pix/thumbnails.php?album=156
Otsu’s summer festivals
For the first time, I went to see the Otsu Natsu Matsuri last month. I was surprised to see the new Shiga Governor Yukiko Kada. I got a good picture of her dancing too: http://photoguide.jp/pix/displayimage.php?album=369&pos=13 I also went to see the Biwako Fireworks for the first time. I was very upset by the many barriers [...]