Iidacho Autumn Festival

About this event

Praying for bountiful harvests, the warding off of plagues, and expressing gratitude for the region's blessings, the Iidacho Autumn Festival is a lively festival with participation from all ward residents, centered around children. A major highlight is the festival float adorned with carvings depicting stories such as Okuninushi-no-Mikoto and 'The White Hare of Inaba.' The upper tier of the float portrays 'The White Hare of Inaba,' the middle tier depicts 'Play, Study, Help: Chinese Children Illustrations' wishing for children's healthy growth and prosperity, and the lower tier features 'Pine, Bamboo, Plum, Orchid, Chrysanthemum: Five Sages' alongside 'Historic Scenery of Iida Shinden and Lake Inba' recalling the memories of ancestors. The front upper section features 'Phoenix' and 'Kara Odori' (Chinese dance), while the front lower section is adorned with auspicious beasts 'Phoenix, Qilin, Dragon, and Sacred Turtle,' showcasing must-see exquisite carvings crafted by master artisan Nanpo Emori, a native of Narita. Enjoy the spirited hauling of the float and its magnificent, heartwarming wood carvings. In addition, during the float presentation, traditional and prestigious festival music will be performed by Shinwa Gezaren, the head school of the Sawara Hayashi Tamatsukuri style. The procession of children's portable shrines (kodomo mikoshi) and the 'No-no-Ji Mawashi' float-turning ritual at Kotohira Shrine intersection around 19:30 on Sunday, October 11, are also major festival highlights.

Venue

Kotohira Shrine

89 Iidacho, Narita, Chiba 286-0041