076-826-2000

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.

076-882-7776

The Takojima Kiriko Festival is held on September 10th and 11th each year.

"Takojima-machi, Suzu City is well-known for having one of the major fishing ports in Ishikawa Prefecture. The kiriko for the autumn festival of Takakurahiko Shrine are movable works of art. They are decorated with elaborate carvings, and completely coated with urushi lacquer, on which gold leaf is lavishly applied. They are said to be among the most beautiful Noto kiriko. Another unique feature is the fact that the kiriko carriers wear white make-up to look like monkeys or messengers of the deity. Also, they are dressed in flashy costumes called dotera and long aprons.

It is customary for each family to serve a festive feast called yobare with their relatives and friends on the first day of the festival, after the daytime parade. After 9:00 p.m., the kiriko assemble and start parading around the town until late at night.

On the second day, the road in front of each house is purified with salt. The portable shrine appears together with a festival float called “Taikoyama,” which has a taiko drum on it, and kiriko. The“Hayabune Kyogen” performance at the Kagura-den Hall of the shrine is also a must-see.

Takojima, which prospered from the mid-Edo period through fishing and trade, created its unique kyogen drama by incorporating trendy kabuki elements and songs of the time into the tradition of hayabune (a fast boat to meet and send off a messenger from the imperial court). Three boys for whom it is the year to celebrate their coming-of-age appear in the drama, which tells the story of a boatman who is deeply in love with a geisha and has no will to sail. He has a comical dialogue with a sailor who urges him to start sailing.

Kiriko dance boisterously after the kyogen drama; the way they swing up and down is really dynamic. The spirit of the fishing community comes alive."

Source: "Kiriko Festivals in Noto"

This festival (#14) 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.

Peak times: 1st Day - 21:00; 2nd Day - 22:00.
Recommended arrival times: 1st Day - 20:30; 2nd Day - 21:30.
Recommended parking: Takojima Fishing Port parking - MapCode: 329 682 428*44.