Kura Town Murata Hotei Festival

About this event

Held annually in Murata Town, Miyagi Prefecture, the Kura Town Murata Hotei Festival is a traditional autumn event with a history of over 800 years. The highlight of the festival is the magnificent float procession parading through the town—featuring the Hotei Main Float, Honmachi Float, and Murata Daiichi Junior High School Creative Float—where a giant Hotei doll standing over 2 meters tall dances atop the float. The musical accompaniment of flutes and taiko drums enlivens the festival. Murata Town's Hotei-sama, one of the Seven Lucky Gods, has the unique characteristic of an elongated head. The flute melody of the festival music is said to originate from the tune of the 'Aoba no Fue' (Flute of Green Leaves), said to have been played by the young Heike warrior Taira no Atsumori. On the festival day, the storehouse (kura) streetscape becomes a pedestrian-only zone, featuring the float procession as well as dances and traditional performing arts presented by local children. A special venue will be set up in the Murata Town Central Public Hall parking lot, offering dance performances, Japanese taiko drumming, comedy live shows, and more. A grand raffle with prizes such as hotel pair accommodation vouchers and Sendai beef will also be held. The venue will be bustling with open-air stalls, kitchen cars (food trucks), and corporate booths. In the plaza in front of the Murata Town Gymnasium, a play park will be set up for parents and children to enjoy together. The venues are central Murata Town, the special venue at the Murata Town Central Public Hall parking lot, and the storehouse streetscape.

Venue

Murata Town Central Public Hall

51 Murata Nishida, Murata-machi, Shibata-gun, Miyagi 989-1305