Muko-nage and Sumi-nuri (Groom Tossing and Ink Smearing Festival)

About this event

Held every year on January 15 at Matsunoyama Onsen in Tokamachi City, Niigata Prefecture, the traditional Little New Year (Koshogatsu) event 'Muko-nage and Sumi-nuri' is an unusual festival deeply reflecting regional characteristics. The biggest highlight of this festival is 'Muko-nage' (groom tossing), where grooms married in the preceding year are thrown down a snow slope from the grounds of Yakushido Temple, which is about 5 meters high. The origin of this event is said to be a remnant of bride kidnapping or a transformed version of retaliating against someone who took away a village daughter; today, it is held as a prayer for blessing marriage and strengthening the couple's bond. In addition, 'Sumi-nuri' (charcoal rubbing) is a custom of rubbing ink made from snow mixed with ashes from the Shinto ritual known as 'Sai-no-Kami' or 'Dondo-yaki' onto each other's faces while saying 'Omedeto' (Congratulations). This is done to pray for good health and family prosperity, handed down alongside the unique atmosphere of a hot spring town. Applications for participants are accepted every year until the end of November, providing a unique experience not only for local residents but also for visitors.

Venue

Matsunoyama Onsen Yakushido

511 Matsunoyama Yumoto, Tokamachi, Niigata 942-1432