Ozue Shrine Grand Festival (Danjiri Festival)

About this event

This is the autumn grand festival of Ozue Shrine, held every year on the 3rd Sunday of November in Kadogawa Town, Miyazaki Prefecture. Led by a portable shrine (mikoshi), three danjiri floats from the Ozue, Shimonaya, and Kaminaya districts parade through the fishing town starting early in the morning. The festival's greatest highlight is the "Sashikurabe" contest held in front of the Kadogawa Fisheries Cooperative. Men hoist the danjiri floats weighing approximately 2 tons high into the air for 20 minutes, putting their districts' honor and pride on the line as they compete in beauty and bravery. Watching around 200 men chant unique festival calls while lifting the 1.5 to 2-ton floats and keeping them completely still without shaking or tilting is an overwhelming spectacle. The festival continues from morning until night, further enlivened by the Nakamichi Kaido Parade (9:00 to 12:00) featuring various participating groups from both inside and outside town. It is a traditional festival with about 200 years of history praying for bountiful sea catches and maritime safety, allowing visitors to feel the passion and strength of the local seafaring men.

Venue

Ozue Shrine

1411-I Kadogawaozue, Kadogawa-cho, Higashiusuki-gun, Miyazaki 889-0611