Sanuki Toyohama Chosa Festival

About this event

The Sanuki Toyohama Chosa Festival is a traditional festival held across the Toyohama Town area in Kan'onji City, Kagawa Prefecture, spanning 3 days starting from the second Friday of October every year to pray for bountiful harvests and rich catches. "Chosa" refers to taikodai (drum floats) luxuriously decorated with gold thread embroidery, which carriers wearing matching happi coats parade through the district while beating drums. The highlight of the festival is the "kaki-kurabe" (carrying contest/competition) held at the otabisho (temporary resting point) and open plazas. Especially on the 3rd day, the grand finale of the festival, a dynamic "kaki-kurabe" by all 23 taikodai takes place; watching them operate the giant drum floats united as one to spirited shouts is spectacular and creates the greatest excitement. At night, paper lanterns are lit, and the chosa dance wildly in an enchanting atmosphere completely different from the daytime. Food stalls, portable shrines, and lion dances are also featured, making the festival even more lively.

Venue

Toyohama Hachiman Shrine

1577-1 Toyohamacho Wadahama, Kan'onji, Kagawa 769-1602