Holidays and Festivals
There are many festivals beyond those listed here, you can easily find out about them from the Jiengo magazine (free, published every second month by Iwate International Plaza, tel: 019-654-8900) or by asking around in your area. Make sure to enjoy the holidays and to attend some of the events!
Public holidays are indicated by an ‘ * ‘.
Dates marked ‘ ± ’ are approximate, based on dates from previous years. Please check the Jiengo for up-to-date details.
August 1–3: Morioka Sansa Odori Festival
Thousands of people parade through the streets of Morioka, dancing traditional folk dances. At
Chûo-dôri Street, about a 15-minute walk from Morioka Station.
Aug 8-9: Mizusawa Matsuri
Obon festival. One can take part in this festival with Aspia International Center.
August 14: Torchlight Noh performances at Hiraizumi’s Chûsonji Temple
Go for the atmosphere. Take the Tôhoku Honsen Line to Hiraizumi and a 5-minute bus ride from Hiraizumi Station.
August 13-15 ±: Obon Festival*
A three day Buddhist religious festival – visiting the family grave.
August 16 ±: Funekko Nagashi
An evening event, Morioka neighbourhoods construct elaborate dragon-boats laced with fireworks and set them adrift on the Kitakami River with the accompaniment of Buddhist chants. A 20-minute walk from Morioka Station.
Sept 5-7 ±: Hanamaki Festival
Parades, floats, dancing (including the famous shishi odori) and a special song/chant combo called bayashi. A 10-minute walk from Hanamaki Station.
Sept 14, 15 ±: Tôno Festival
Folk dancing and horseback archery. A 5-minute walk from Tôno Station.
September 15: Respect for the Aged Day (keiro no hi)*
September 23: Autumn Equinox (shûbun no hi)*
October 5 ±: Tendaiji Temple Fall Festival
Traditional dances held at a special temple in Jôbôji. Take a bus from Morioka or take the Tôhoku Honsen Line to Ninohe and take a bus from there.
October 13: Health and Sports Day (taiiku no hi)*
October 18-20 ±: Ishidoriya Sake Festival
A celebration of sake and those who make it. Held at the town gym. Take the Tôhoku Honsen Line to Ishidoriya and then take a shuttle or walk for about 20 minutes.
November 1-3 ±: Autumn Fujiwara Festival (aki no fujiwara matsuri)
Held at Hiraizumi’s Chûsonji Temple. During the festival there is a Noh performance at a thatched roof stage near the temple. (See August 14.)
November 3: Culture Day (bunka no hi)*
November 15: Shichi-Go-San Festival
Visit your local shrine and see traditionally dressed children aged 7, 5, and 3. These numbers are considered important ages in a child’s growth.
November 23: Labor Thanksgiving Day (kinrô kansha no hi)*
December 23: Emperor’s Birthday (tennô tanjôbi)*
January 1: New Year’s Day (ganjitsu)*
January 12: Coming-of-Age Day (seijin no hi)*
Honours young people who have turned 20 years of age.
January 18 ±: More Torch Light Noh in Hiraizumi. (See August 14.)
Jan 31 – Feb 8 ±: Iwate Snow Festival in Shizukuishi
Marvel at ice sculptures and eat roasted lamb inside an igloo. A must-do. Take a bus or train from Morioka to Koiwai Farm.
February 11: National Foundation Day (kenkoku kinen no hi)*
February 11 ±: Daitô Ôhara Mizukake Festival
Men aged 25, 42, and 62 dash naked down the street while getting doused with water from spectators. Take the Ôfunato Line to the Surisawa Station and drive 20 minutes by car, or drive 45 minutes from the Ichinoseki Station.
February 11 ±: All Japan Wanko-Soba Competition in Hanamaki
For the gluttonous at heart, indulge in as many bowls of these buckwheat noodles as possible.
February 13-14±: Sominsai Festival
This is one of the more unique and quirky festivals in Iwate and maybe even Japan. It consists of men wearing "fundoshi" walking around the grounds of the Shrine (Kuroishi-Ji), which includes dunking themselves into an ice cold river. The festival takes place in the dead of winter and goes on for most of the night climaxing at seven in the morning, when the participants fight for a lucky bag.
February 13-15 ±: Hachimantai Snow Festival
Make rice cakes and play in the snow. Take a bus for the Hanchimantai Resort Hotel from Morioka Station and get off at the last stop.
March 3: Girls’ Day (hina matsuri)
Special candy is eaten and dolls are put on display, also a good time to drink sweet sake.
March 20: Spring Equinox (shunbun no hi)*
April 29: Green Day (midori no hi)*
April 29 ±: Ôsawa Onsen Konsei (Phallus) Festival
A huge phallic symbol is paraded through the streets and then ritually bathed. Take a bus to Shin-Namari Onsen from the Hanamaki Station.
April 29-30th - Hibuse Matsuri
The festival consists of elementary school girls dressed in traditional kimonos. They are carried around the city on float while they playing traditional Japanese music. The festival is held to drive away evil spirits from Mizusawa, this originated after a great fire which destroyed most of the city. Also their are groups dancing throughout the day and night.
May 1-5 ±: Spring Fujiwara Festival (haru no fujiwara matsuri)
Held at Hiraizumi’s Chûsonji Temple. During the festival there is a Noh performance at a thatched roof stage near the temple. (See August 14.)
May 3: Constitution Day (kenpô kinenbi)*
May 4: People’s Day (kokumin no kyûjitsu)*
May 5: Children’s Day (kodomo no hi)*
May 5 ±: Tendaiji Temple Spring Festival (See October 5.)
May 3-5 ±: Goishikaigan Festival
An Ôfunato festival highlighting the splendours of the Southern Rikuchû Coast. Take a bus to Goishikaigan from the Hosôra Station.
June 6: Chagu Chagu Umako Horse Festival in Morioka
One of Iwate’s most famous festivals. Decorated horses parade from Takizawa to Morioka and then around the city. A 20-minute walk from Morioka Station.
July 7: Tanabata Festival
This festival traces its origins to an ancient Chinese legend that the Cowherd Star (Altair) and the Weaver Star (Vega), lovers separated by the Milky Way, are allowed to meet just once a year – on the seventh day of the seventh month. However, if it rains on that day, they cannot meet, and will have to spend another year apart. Sendai City (Miyagi Prefecture) is one of the places particularly famous for its Tanabata displays, held August 6-8.
July 19: Ocean Day (umi no hi)*