Idori Festival

About this event

Held annually on November 7 at Sugawara Shrine in Ukawa, Noto Town, Ishikawa Prefecture, the "Idori Festival" is an unusual Shinto ritual boasting a 450-year tradition that retains traces of a harvest festival. For this festival, six neighborhoods in the Ukawa district take turns acting as duty hosts, with only men offering two large kagami mochi (round rice cakes) with a diameter of 1.2 meters, 50 to 60 small round mochi, and 16 toushi mochi to the deities. Then, the next year's duty members responsible for making the large kagami mochi are invited and entertained as "haihin" (honored guests). During this time, the haihin find humorous faults and complaints ("idoru") regarding the offered kagami mochi and the mochi on the meal trays. In response, the host neighborhood desperately makes excuses, but the matter is not easily settled. Ultimately, the Shinto priest steps in to mediate and finally resolves the dispute, making this unique, laughter-inducing interaction a major highlight for spectators. This festival is also designated as an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Ishikawa Prefecture, offering a valuable opportunity to deeply experience the local culture and traditions.

Venue

Sugawara Shrine (Shiromaru)

13-2 Shiromaru, Noto, Hosu District, Ishikawa 927-0607