About this event
Held annually on November 3 in Osumi-cho, Soo City, Kagoshima Prefecture, the 'Yagoro-don Festival' is one of the prefecture's three major festivals with a tradition spanning more than 900 years. The star of the festival is 'Yagoro-don,' a giant figure standing 4 meters and 85 centimeters tall. Made of woven bamboo and clad in 25 bolts of plum-dyed fabric, he bears a gigantic sword and spear. At 1:00 AM, Yagoro-don awakens to the herald drum signaling 'Yagoro-don is waking up,' and around 6:00 AM, his giant frame is slowly raised upright on the grounds of Iwakawa Hachimangu Shrine. In the afternoon, the 'Hamakudari' procession takes place, where Yagoro-don departs from Hachimangu Shrine and parades majestically through the city streets for about 3 hours, engulfing the entire town in excitement. Highlights include the moment Yagoro-don passes under the large torii gate and the famous 'Yagoro-don's Ina Bauer' backbend as he passes under the Iwakawa Overpass. During the festival period, dedicated martial arts tournaments and entertainment shows are also held, filling the town with great vitality.
Official website (Japanese) ↗Venue
Iwakawa Hachimangu Shrine
5745 Iwakawa, Osumi-cho, Soo, Kagoshima 899-8102
Open in Google Maps ↗