The Yotaka Paper Lantern Parade is held on May 1st and 2nd. There you can hear the sounds of Yotaka drums and the rhythmic shouts of strong, young voices ring through the street. On May 3rd, floats from the 4 towns of Nanto visit Shinmeisha Shrine, and portable shrines are paraded throughout the city for the Fukuno Hikiyama Festival.
The Johana Hikiyama Festival is a religious festival, centered around Johanaʼs Shinmei-gu Shrine, that is held at the height of spring here in the town often called Etchuʼs Little Kyoto, Johana.
The Inami Yoiyasa Festival started in 1833 as a Shinto ritual where people prayed for their businesses to prosper and their families to be safe. For the festival, a total of 6 portable shrines, 3 carried by adults and 3 carried by children, are marched throughout the town along with 3 shishi (shrine guardian lion-dogs) and 4 festival floats.
One of the things Fukumitsu is well-known for is its stretch of 1000 Cherry Blossoms. During full bloom, the trees are illuminated, creating a marvelous experience that is different from the typical flower viewing one can see during the daytime. The illumination starts at sundown and goes until about 10:00 PM.
Gokayama's Ainokura Village Illumination is a wondrous sight that gives visitors a brand new experience each season, making them want to visit over and over again.
The Inokuchi Camellia Festival has a display of roughly 1000 flowers with about 300 different types of camellia, and the display consists of mostly cut flowers and potted plants with a mixture of rare goods from China and Vietnam. Additionally, there are a variety of events like an Inokuchi tanba black soy bean mochi making competition and a tea ceremony that attract many people to the village.
During the illumination of Gokayamaʼs Suganuma Village, you can see the beautifully illuminated village reflected back at you in the water while enjoying folk songs from Gokayama like the Kokiriko, Mugiya-bushi, Toichinsa, and the Osayo-bushi.
Gokayama's Ainokura Village Illumination is a wondrous sight that gives visitors a brand new experience each season, making them want to visit over and over again.
Ever since their theatre festival started in 1982, Toga has drawn the attention of the theatre community on a global scale with tons of theatre fans gathering here in what has become known as the holy land of theatre. In this spectacular artistic space, one can see plays by the worldly director and head of the SCOT (Suzuki Company of Toga) acting troupe Tadashi Suzuki in addition to a variety of international performances, a number of which can only be seen here in Toga.
The Johana Mugiya Festival draws in major crowds of people who are looking to view the Mugiya folk song and dance. There are stage performances, a national dance competition, and a group dance that visitors can participate in. Additionally, the festival is held on the vibrant Johana main street, which has a traditional feel to it that complements the traditional styles of Mugiya dancers who come from the various towns in the area.
The Gokayama Mugiya Festival is held every year on September 23rd and 24th at Shimonashi Jinushi Shrine. During the nighttime stage performances, you can view a number of groups perform the Mugiya folk song and dance that originated here in Gokayama courtesy of Gokayama’s Organization for the Preservation of Folk Songs and Dances. So, come on by and enjoy the Mugiya song and dance that has been passed down in the region for generations.
At the Gokayama Kokiriko Festival, visitors can see the ancient Kokiriko folk song and dance along with other local traditional performances. Visitors from all over the world come to see the elegant dance and hear the ring of the sasara (a traditional percussion instrument used in the folk song). Additionally, visitors can try out the dance in a large group with the members of the Folk Song and Dance Preservation Society.
Gokayama's Ainokura Village Illumination is a wondrous sight that gives visitors a brand new experience each season, making them want to visit over and over again.
The Kibana Cosmos Festival is an event that happens at the IOX-AROSA ski slopes when the cosmos flowers are blooming. During the event, the slopes are covered in vibrant orange flowers, so visitors can really get a feel for the autumn atmosphere.
When the sun sets on the snow covered Gokayama gassho-style village, 50 lights are used to illuminate the village and create a marvelous view of the gassho-style houses rising out of the snow. Using that view as a background, various performances of folk songs and dances from Gokayama like the Kokiriko and the Toichinsa are held. The event is the perfect chance for international visitors to view authentic Japanese scenery.
Gokayama's Ainokura Village Illumination is a wondrous sight that gives visitors a brand new experience each season, making them want to visit over and over again.
During the winter in the Toga region, a number of people would leave to the city to work. When they came back, an event was held where a special soba called “gonbe” was made for them and visitors to the village. The current Toga Soba Festival is based off of that original gathering and has become a major event. At the festival, you can try soba made from locally produced buckwheat flour, salted iwana char fish, and a number of other local specialties while watching folk songs and dances, a yosakoi performance, singers, and an epic fireworks show!
The Nanto Fukumitsu Snow Illumination Festival is an event where roughly 50 massive paper balloons are loosed to float up to the heavens with Kuwa Mountain serving as a background. As they float up into the air, they release red banners, making a marvelous sight that is a must see. Additionally, people can eat hot pot, enjoy a mochi making competition, write messages on the paper balloons, participate in a picture contest, and enjoy a number of other fun activities during this lively festival.