π Festival - Sosogi Grand Festival, Wajima City

Courtesy of Ishikawa Prefecture Tourism League
Courtesy of Ishikawa Prefecture Tourism League
Courtesy of Ishikawa Prefecture Tourism League
Applicable Dates :
Available the 17th of August through the 18th of August
Itinerary Type :
Festivals
Number of Stops
2
Est. Drive
30 km / 18.4 miles - 36 minutes
Est. Site-Seeing :
Between 20 hours and 36 hours
Website :
https://www.hot-ishikawa.jp/kiriko/en/kiriko/sosogi.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:

● Torchlight event, kiriko dancing and fireworks can be enjoyed at the same time.
● Fantastic parade of kiriko with candlelight.
● Dynamic Gojinjo drum and Hassei drum performance.

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

30 km / 18.4 miles - 36 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
29.6 km /  18.4 miles - (36 minutes)
2. Sosogi Grand Festival (#08) - 曽々木大祭 (#08)

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)
Min/Max Time :
1200 / 2160 Minutes
MapCode :
552 744 650*44
Phone :
076-823-1146
Website :
https://www.hot-ishikawa.jp/kiriko/en/kiriko/sosogi.php
Description :
The Sosogi Grand Festival is held on August 17th and 18th each year.

"The Sosogi coastline of Wajima City is known for its splendid views of rocks in various shapes such as the “window rock”. Legend has it that a deity’s ship arrived here blown by the “aino-kaze” wind.

On the evening of the first day of the festival, five kiriko lanterns of different sizes and types (both uncoated and coated with Wajima lacquer) gather at the shrine. After a Shinto ceremony, the lanterns at the top of the kiriko are lit using the candles of the shrine, and the parade of the portable shrine surrounded by kiriko lanterns begins. The candle flames flicker in the darkness, producing a fantastic scene.

When the parade arrives at Window Rock Pocket Park, the energy of the festival reaches its climax. Gojinjo drums and Hassei drums are played by the light of the pillar torch and fireworks, and the kiriko dance wildly. The audience becomes excited by the sight of light and flames, as well as by the sounds and the dancing.

During the main part of the festival on the second day, the portable shrine visits the houses of families that have experienced auspicious events during the year, such as the construction of a new house or the opening of a shop, and the priest chants a celebratory sutra. Then, people present sake to the priest, and treat the carriers of the portable shrine to cold drinks. In Noto, festivals are firmly rooted in people’s lives."

Source: "Kiriko Festivals in Noto"

This festival (#08) 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: 1st Day - 22:00; 2nd Day - ?.
Recommended arrival times: 1st Day - 21:00; 2nd Day - ?0.
Recommended parking: Sosogi Pocket Park parking - MapCode: 552 744 898*71.
Address :
Sosogi Coast, Machino-machi, Wajima City

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