Hachiman Matsuri
Japan
- Omihachiman, Shiga PrefecturePosted on April 14, 2010 by Stefan
Filed under Gallery, Matsuri, Omihachiman
The Hachiman Matsuri happens a month after the Sagicho matsuri in the same shrine. This is the older of the two festivals (held since the year 275 AD) and the one that inspired warlord Oda Nobunaga to start the now more famous and well known Sagicho matsuri. The hachiman festival is divided into two days, on 14th of April is the torch festival (Taimatsu Matsuri), and then the day after on the 15th is the Drum festival (Taiko matsuri).
The festival was absolute spectacular (or maybe it’s just me – i just love those fire festivals!). The heat is absolutely incredible when those big torches are being burned and sparks and glowing embers are raining down on you. On of those sparks landed on my camera bag and set it on fire, luckily a guy standing behind me noticed it early and we got it quickly under control.
Transport: Close to Obatacho-Shiryokan-mae bus stop on the Chomyo-ji bus route from Omihachiman Station. Omihachiman Station is on the JR Biwako Line from Kyoto Station.
Website: The Omihachiman city website has some excellent information about this festival.
Thanks for the great information. Did you happen to notice if the buses were running back to the train station later at night after the festival – we are very interested to take a look in 2012 but will need to get the train back to Kyoto.
Toni,
It can be done – http://www.jorudan.co.jp/ shows me the last train back to Kyoto is leaving at 11.07pm. The last bus to the train station is leaving at around 10pm (if i remember correctly) – well before the end of the festival and probably will be crowded like crazy. I actually recommend you to walk back – it’s about 20-25 minutes of flat straight ahead walk, very doable if you are good on foot!
I usually stay in the Best Inn Omi Hachiman – (cheap and good – just google for it) when i go see the festival.