π Festival - Omachi & Kawajima Festival, Anamizu - 2023

Courtesy of Ishikawa Prefecture Tourism League
Courtesy of Ishikawa Prefecture Tourism League
Applicable Dates :
Only Available the 9th of September 2023
Itinerary Type :
Festivals
Number of Stops
2
Est. Drive
11 km / 6.8 miles - 15 minutes
Est. Site-Seeing :
Between 4 hours and 7 hours
Website :
http://www.hot-ishikawa.jp/kiriko/en/kiriko/oomachi.php
 
This festival is one of 29 Noto Kiriko Matsuri ("Float Festivals") held each year in the Noto Peninsula of Ishikawa Prefecture, the most for any area of Japan.

This festival can/should be combined/customized with one or more other driving itineraries in Ishikawa. You can conveniently access this festival from various "gateways" in Ishikawa Prefecture: the Kanazawa JR Station if arriving by train, or either the Komatsu or Noto Satoyama Airports if arriving by air. All three gateways have multiple rental car outlets.

Due to crowds for the festival, be prepared to park away from the actual festival site. There are normally local people directing traffic near the site(s) so allow a little extra time to park and walk to the site.

Highlights of this festival:

● Largest kiriko festival in Anamizu Town.
● 11 kiriko and 10 floats parading like a band of light.
● Float lanterns decorated with popular animation characters.

For background and historical details click the link to the festival website above.
 

11 km / 6.8 miles - 15 minutes
1. Noto Satoyama Airport - のと里山空港

Courtesy of Wikipedia
Courtesy of Walter L. Keats
Accessible Has Food Has Geocache Has Parking Has Shopping Has Toilet Has Vending Machine(s)
MapCode :
283 475 067*52
Phone :
076-826-2000
Website :
http://www.noto-airport.jp/
Description :
The Noto Satoyama Airport is centrally located in the Noto Peninsula. As of early 2019 there were 2 daily round trip flights from Tokyo's Haneda Airport via All Nippon Airways. There are several rental car companies with offices at the airport. Airport code is NTQ.
Address :
10-11-1 Miimachi Sue, Wajima-shi, Ishikawa 929-2372
10.9 km /  6.8 miles - (15 minutes)
2. Omachi & Kawajima Festivals (#19) - 大町・川島祭り (#19)

Courtesy of Ishikawa Prefecture Tourism League
Courtesy of Ishikawa Prefecture Tourism League
Has Food Has Parking Has Toilet Has Vending Machine(s)
Min/Max Time :
240 / 420 Minutes
MapCode :
283 229 031*00
Phone :
076-852-3790
Website :
http://www.hot-ishikawa.jp/kiriko/en/kiriko/oomachi.php
Description :
The Omachi & Kawajima Festival is held on the 2nd Saturday of September each year. Be prepared to park away from the actual festival site.

"Anamizu Daigu (Hetsu Himejinja Shrine) in the Ômachi area of the central part of Anamizu Town and Hakusan Shrine (Mimana-hiko Shrine) in the Kawajima area have long histories. The festivals of these shrines are held on the same day as the “Ômachi and Kawajima Festival.” Three portable shrines, 11 kiriko and 10 floats from each area are brought out for the largest kiriko festival of Anamizu Town.

At nine o’clock at night, kiriko and floats gather on the main street of Ômachi and Kawajima Honmachi Street after being paraded around the area. The scene of kiriko and floats proceeding in a row along the street is the highlight of the festival. The lanterns and lights attached to the kiriko and floats form bands of light. Lively shouting, bamboo flutes, gongs, and drums add excitement to the festival.

There are interesting decorations hanging from the ropes for pulling the floats, such as teru-teru-bozu dolls (with magical powers to bring good weather and stop a rainy day), sparkling substances and bells, which show the characteristics of each area. Large doll-shaped lanterns representing brave warrior figures and popular animation characters sit on the top of the rectangular floats. Modern culture is integrated into the traditional festival. In addition, pictures drawn by children are exhibited as lantern covers. We get a sense of the warmth of the local residents, who want both adults and children to enjoy the festival."

Source: "Kiriko Festivals in Noto"

This festival (#19) is one of 29 Noto Kiriko Matsuri ("Float Festivals") held each year in the Noto Peninsula of Ishikawa Prefecture, the most for any area of Japan.

For additional background and historical details click the link to the festival website above.
Hours :
Peak times: 21:00.
Recommended arrival times: 20:30.
Recommended parking: Anamizu Town Hall parking - MapCode: 283 229 295*60.
Address :
Omachi and Kawajima area in Anamizu Town

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