64th Yamanaka Onsen Koi Koi Festival

About this event

Yamanaka Onsen's largest autumn festival, the "Koi Koi Festival," takes place across the hot spring town. Featuring stage events, traditional performing arts, gourmet food, and a variety of other entertainment, it is Yamanaka Onsen's premier event where local residents and tourists can come together and enjoy. The name of the festival, "Koi Koi," carries the welcoming meaning of calling out "Come, come!" to hot spring visitors, and is characterized by a design that allows guests to spontaneously jump into the dancing circle. The "Yamanaka Bushi" folk song street parade continues for 2 days, and during the daytime, processions of the "Koi Koi Mikoshi" (women's mikoshi), the young men's mikoshi, and the giant lion dance (O-jishi) take place. Because the dance mimics the Tanko Bushi coal miners' dance, even beginners can pick it up immediately. The traditional way to enjoy the festival is to stay overnight in Yamanaka Onsen and join the dance circle while wearing a yukata. Although it is a relatively new festival that began in 1961 (Showa 36), it captures the very essence of Yamanaka Onsen—Yamanaka Bushi and geisha culture—making it one of the liveliest onsen town festivals in the Hokuriku region.

Venue

Yamanaka Onsen Yuge Kaido Street

Ro-71-3 Yamanakaonsen Minamicho, Kaga, Ishikawa 922-0129