π Festival - Shiotsu Bonfire Lovers' Festival, Nanao City - 2020

Courtesy of Ishikawa Prefecture Tourism League
Courtesy of Ishikawa Prefecture Tourism League
Courtesy of Ishikawa Prefecture Tourism League
Applicable Dates :
Only Available the 25th of July 2020
Itinerary Type :
Festivals
Number of Stops
2
Est. Drive
33 km / 20.2 miles - 33 minutes
Website :
https://www.hot-ishikawa.jp/kiriko/en/kiriko/shiozu.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:

● Rendezvous of male and female gods on the sea.
● Boats loaded with a portable shrine and kiriko lanterns set sail.
● Bonfires and floating candles create a fantastical world.

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

33 km / 20.2 miles - 33 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
32.5 km /  20.2 miles - (33 minutes)
2. Shiotsu Bonfire Lovers' Festival (#03) - 塩津かがり火恋祭り (#03)

Courtesy of Ishikawa Prefecture Tourism League
Courtesy of Ishikawa Prefecture Tourism League
Courtesy of Ishikawa Prefecture Tourism League
Has Food Has Parking Has Toilet Has Vending Machine(s)
MapCode :
135 883 133*36
Phone :
076-753-8424
Website :
https://www.hot-ishikawa.jp/kiriko/en/kiriko/shiozu.php
Description :
The Shiotsu Bonfire Lovers' Festival is held on the 4th Saturday in July each year.

"This festival takes place in the Shiotsu area of Nakajima Town, which is on Nanao West Bay. It is based on the romantic story of a male mountain god (Himen god) and a female sea god (God of Karashima) having a rendezvous over the sea once a year.

In the evening, after completion of a ritual performance in the shrines, boats loaded with a portable shrine and kiriko set sail from Kasashiho (mouth of Shiotsu River) and the Karashima pier. Floating candles on lotus leaves show the way on the sea.

The boats advance, guided by the candle lights, and the two gods meet at a bonfire built in the sea. They turn around the bonfire three times and enjoy being together for a while. Fireworks sparkle in the evening sky and in the sea, as if celebrating the meeting of the gods, and onlookers are led into a romantic world. Then the two gods move to Shiotsu Beach and a ritual performance takes place in the square. They swear that they will meet again the following year, and return to their shrines.

People’s lives are deeply connected to nature of Noto. This festival is an opportunity for the gods who guard people’s lives to meet their lovers. When the gods are enjoying each other’s company, people pray for a bountiful harvest and for the safety of family members.

The festival is based on a love story in which male and female gods meet on the sea with kiriko lanterns and sail together. This festival is very different from the other kiriko festivals of Noto. The lovers’ passion is embodied in the lights of kiriko lanterns, candles floating on the sea, bonfires and fireworks."

Source: "Kiriko Festivals in Noto"

This festival (#03) 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 time: Saturday - 21:.0.
Recommended arrival time: Saturday - 19:30.
Recommended parking: Around Kasashiho Station parking - MapCode: 135 883 128*82.
Address :
Near the Shiotsu area of Nakajima Town, Nanao City

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