Events & Festivals
Energetic dancing to drive away evil spirits and pray for an abundant harvest, atmospheric parties to celebrate the four seasons, traditional events and festivals held all over Kaga — all of these give you the chance to experience the Japanese "spirit of style".
Gogan Shinji Feb. 10
At this fierce ritual of Sugo Isobe Shrine, young people dressed in white smash about 200 moso bamboo poles one after another, to drive away disease and pray for an abundant harvest.
Sakura Festival 2nd Sat. & Sun. in April
Sakura Festival 2nd Sat. & Sun. in April Floats and a procession of people waving their hands winds its way through town along streets lined with cherry blossoms in full bloom. There is also a heroic lion dance and a portable shrine procession. The banks of the Kumasaka River are famous for the cherry trees that line them over a distance of about one kilometer.
Shobuyu Festival Jun. 4&5
More than 200 young people jostle their way through town shouldering a portable shrine packed full of irises. This festival, whose purpose is to pray for good health and the prosperity of the hot spring resort, is the biggest in Yamashiro.
Fireworks Festival Late Jul. to early Aug.
Fireworks displays are put on every night at Lake Shibayamagata. The large, lit-up fountain in the lake is also well worth seeing.
Guzuyaki Festival Aug. 27-29
In this heroic festival, people shouldering 5-6 m-long fish-shaped floats made of bamboo frames topped with wound straw mats and bamboo make their way through town. The giant floats are eventually burned up to ward off evil spirits.
Jumangoku Festival Sept. 10&11
This festival commemorates the traditions and history of the wealthy Daishoji clan. It features a procession of about 200 men and women carrying the "Kutani portable shrine" and the Jumangoku dance.