Latest Events in Katori(June Updated)

The Sawara Taisai, listed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, is one of the three major float festivals in the Kanto region and boasts a history of approximately 300 years. Accompanied by the music of "Sawara Accompaniment," floats adorned with exquisite carvings and giant 4-meter-tall dolls gracefully parade through the ancient streets known as "Little Edo." The festival is held in summer (July) and autumn (October), immersing you in the magnificent historical panorama of the Edo period.

The Water Village Omi River Fireworks Festival held in Katori City, Chiba Prefecture, is one of the oldest traditional summer events in the Kanto region and has been famous as a major event since 1908 (Meiji 41). The stage for the event is the majestic Tone River, and its charm lies in the energetic performance that makes full use of the vast river surface. The fireworks that light up the night sky are divided into four chapters, and starbursts with different themes are set off one after another. In particular, the super-large starburst that makes full use of the open space of the Tone River has an overwhelming impact that seems to cover the entire area, making the audience mesmerized.

The Sawara Festival is an annual festival held at Suwa Shrine, located in Shinjuku on the west bank of the Ono River. It's known as the "Sawara Grand Festival," along with the Gion Festival at Yasaka Shrine in July. Fourteen floats, each adorned with intricately carved dolls approximately four meters tall, bravely pull the floats through the streets of Sawara, a small Edo city, to the strains of Sawara children's songs. The hand dances performed by the float pullers (young people) at various locations, along with the curving floats, such as the "noji kaisen" (spinning floats at intersections to change direction), and the sight of them weaving through the narrow streets are all highlights. At night, the floats are adorned with lanterns and pulled as they travel, creating a completely different atmosphere from the daytime. Hand dances accompanied by Sawara dance music are performed at the stage plaza near the Sawara Credit Bank, and food and beverages are available in plazas in front of Sawara Station and in the parking lots near Tadataka Bridge.

The Oechuan Cherry Blossom and Azalea Festival is being held at Omikawa Shiroyama Park, a famous cherry blossom viewing spot in Hokuso Prefecture. Approximately 1,000 Yoshino cherry trees are illuminated with paper lanterns, allowing visitors to enjoy the cherry blossoms even at night. Around 4,000 azaleas cover the entire mountain, attracting numerous visitors day and night.