About this event
With nearly 250 years of tradition, the Akiba Festival in Komaki City is a magnificent festival where four dashi (floats)—designated as Tangible Folk Cultural Properties of the city—are pulled by local townspeople and gathered together in the precincts of Shinmei Shrine. Accompanied by festive ohayashi music, the mechanical karakuri puppet dances unfold a gorgeous festival spectacle. During the Yoimatsuri (eve festival), following the float procession through each neighborhood from around 5:00 PM, all four floats gather on the south side of Lapio around 6:00 PM to perform the festival's biggest highlight, the parting turn maneuver known as 'donten.' During the Honmatsuri (main festival), the floats are pulled through the streets starting around 10:00 AM, karakuri performances are dedicated to the Yanegami (roof deities) of each neighborhood, and then the floats are pulled into the precincts of Shinmei Shrine. From 2:00 PM, Shinto rituals and karakuri dedications take place, bringing the festival to its climax. This festival originated from prayers to protect the post town of 'Komakijuku' from fires through the Akiba Shrine dedicated to Akiba Sanjakubo, the deity of fire prevention.
Official website (Japanese) ↗Venue
Komaki Shinmei Shrine
5-153 Komaki, Komaki, Aichi 485-0041
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