Mikabe Matsuri
Japan
- YokaichiPosted on March 14, 2010 by Stefan
Filed under Gallery, Mikabe, Yokaichi
The Mikabe matsuri is a small local spring welcome festival that doesn’t get a lot of advertising or mentioning anywhere on the net. It’s held in mid-march on the same weekend as the more famous Sagicho Matsuri (which is held just about 15km to the north-west of Mikabe).
The festival is in honor of the fire god of the kitchen (kamado no kami). Ceremonies start at around 10am and there is a lot of sake that get’s consumed. At 1pm there is a small procession (on horse and foot, parading a mikoshi) leaving the shrine and making it’s way around the village.
It’s a very small festival, but i guess due to the sake drinking and all it does get very friendly and entertaining to watch and participate.
Transport: Kawaketa Mikabe Jinja is about 30 minute walk or a 5 minute taxi ride from Yokaichi Station, Omi Tetsudo Line.
Website: All i can find about it is this site here (all in Japanese)
I liked the parading through the fields with a backdrop of mountains, past shrines and peoples’ houses. And the children’s float which they wheeled off at speed, leaving the drunken men far behind. The Omi Tetsudo Line has small old yellow toy(ish) trains – you’re a long way from modern Japan here.
Richard – Let me know when you’ll be coming to Japan again! I am sure i can find you another one or two of those small fun festivals
.