Sogo Reido Otaiya Festival

About this event

The Otaiya Festival is a festival to comfort the spirit of the righteous martyr Sakura Sogo (Kiuchi Sogoro). To save his local populace suffering from poor harvests and heavy taxation, Sakura Sogo carried out a direct appeal to the shogun, which was strictly forbidden at the time, and was crucified for this offense. The festival was traditionally held on the anniversary of his death, September 2 and 3, but since 2004 it has been held on the first Saturday and Sunday of September. On both days of the festival, numerous stalls line the precinct of Sogo Reido, filled with the lively laughter of families and children. Visitors can experience a nostalgic atmosphere as if slipping back in time to the 1955-1965 era (Showa 30s). As dusk approaches, the stalls are lit, and the festival reaches an even greater pitch of excitement. Strolling while eating street food like grilled squid and apricot candy, and playing games such as goldfish scooping and target shooting, will bring out your inner child and evoke forgotten summer memories. Along the roads around Sogo Reido, festival floats are energetically pulled by children and adults, further elevating the festive mood. The festival is also enlivened by Sawara Hayashi festival music performed atop the floats. In addition, a Great Goma Fire Ritual is conducted in the Main Hall of Sogo Reido.

Venue

Sogo Reido (Tosho-ji Temple)

1-chome Sogo, Narita-shi, Chiba 286-0004