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Kamimizo Summer Festival

Kamimizo Summer Festival

The Kamimizo Summer Festival has been held in Sagamihara since the end of the Edo period (1603-1868). The festival is said to be dedicated to Emperor Ushira, who prays for a good harvest and safety of the family, and is said to have been inspired by the Yasaka Shrine in Kyoto. On Sunday evenings, the local portable shrines (Mikoshi) and floats (Dashi) gather from each town and start a grand procession. Once the evening sun goes down, the lanterns of the portable shrines are lit, creating a fantastic spectacle that is not to be missed.

Culture & Arts Tokaido Koshu kaido KANAGAWA
TIVOLI Sweets Factory

TIVOLI Sweets Factory

TIVOLI is confection maker which opened in November 2017 that produces assorted cookies and boasts the top share in the domestic market. This is their only facility for factory tours and direct retail. The theme is “sweet factory for the five senses.” From the second floor, visitors can observe the staff working and the robots moving nimbly as the sweets are produced. They also offer opportunities for guests to try making their own sweets. Small children can also participate. Guests can also enjoy learning about confection production and eat the freshly baked goodies.

Experience & Activities Tokaido Koshu kaido KANAGAWA
Ichijo Ekan Sanso

Ichijo Ekan Sanso

Ichijo Ekan Sanso Villa, a nationall designated Important Cultural Property villa with sukiya-style architecture, is surrounded by its beautiful garden, a space where hydrangeas, autumn foliage, red pines, and moss thrive. With the murmuring of the Nameri River flowing nearby and the chirping of wild birds, it is a lush Japanese garden where you can enjoy Japan's four seasons with all five senses. There is also a cafe within the garden where you can enjoy seasonal Japanese sweets. Tours of the villa are held regularly (advance reservations required so please check the website).

Culture & Arts Koshu kaido Tokaido KANAGAWA
Moka Summer Festival “Kojin Festival”

Moka Summer Festival “Kojin Festival”

The "Moka Summer Festival," the largest event in Moka City, will be held for three days on late July. More than 20 portable shrines and floats gather together at the festival square, where you can feel the enthusiasm of the festival goers.   On the first day of the festival, "Degyo-matsuri," or the "departure from the shrine," is held at Omae Shrine.Many festival-goers participate in the Degyo-matsuri to pray for the safety of the procession of portable shrines and stalls, a good harvest, the eradication of disease, and the development of industry. After the Degyo-Dashi, "Machiawase" is held, in which the portable shrines are carried across each town council, and the head mikoshi parades through the city.   On the second day, "Festival Plaza" will be held and the city center will become a pedestrian zone. approximately 20,000 fireworks will color the night sky, and "Mikoshi Kawatogo (carried mikoshi to cross the river)" would be held on Gogyo River.

Nikko kaido Oshu kaido TOCHIGI
Nasu Seshoseki Gojinka Festival

Nasu Seshoseki Gojinka Festival

Nasu is known as the largest volcanic zone in Japan. Several large eruptions in the past have claimed many victims here. The villagers in the neighboring area started to cleanse themselves to appease the anger of the mountain, visit Nasu Yuzen Shrine, light the fire of the Avici hell and worship this as gojinka (sacred fire). This then became established as an event to pray for a bumper harvest and sound health before long.   The Gojinka Festival features a parade from Nasu Yuzen Shrine to Sesshoseki by participants attired in white clothing with torches. A large torch (gojinka) is then lit to create a fantastic atmosphere.   While the gojinka burns, the folk entertainment of hakumen konmo kyubikitusne drums is presented at Sesshoseki - the site of the legend of kyubinokitusne (nine-tailed fox). The general public can also participate in the torch parade which involves a walk through the dark.

Nikko kaido Oshu kaido TOCHIGI
Yudate Lion Dance Miyagino

Yudate Lion Dance Miyagino

The tradition of Yudate-kagura has been passed on since 1776. Spiritual rituals with the use of boiling water are performed throughout the country, but it is rare to see the performance done by the Shishi, a lion dog deity, as can be seen at this traditional event. Praying for health, safety, and prosperity the Shishi stirs the boiling water with a Kumazasa branch, and flick water from the branch to purify the participating spectators. This traditional event is selected as a National Traditional and Cultural Heritage event, as well as being registered as a Kanagawa prefecture important cultural heritage event.

Culture & Arts Tokaido Koshu kaido KANAGAWA