Tsuyama Town Festivals

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. Regional Festivals - From Hokkaido to Okinawa .

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. Okayama Prefecture - 岡山県 .


. - - - - - Tsuyama town　津山 .



Fukuriki-Kojin Festival
1st - 3rd of the lunar New Year
Fukuriki-Kojin Shrine 福力荒神社
Visitors to Fukuriki-Kojin to hope for the avoidance of mamushi (pit vipers) and for easy childbirth. 100,000 people including many visitors from surrounding prefectures and even Kyushu island pay visits to the shrine.




Tsuyama Cherry Blossom Festival 津山さくらまつり
Tsuyama is known in Okayama prefecture as the best place to view cherry blossoms in the spring. The Cherry Blossom Festival, held from early to mid-April, features an impressive 5,000 cherry trees. Located in Kakuzan Park, visitors can enjoy the beautiful flowers among the ancient castle ruins. There is also a Daimyo Procession parade.

. Tsuyama Cherry Blossoms - 2008 .





Manpukuji Buddhist Memorial Service
11th - 13th of the lunar New Year
Manpukuji Temple 万福寺
Manpukuji Temple is located on the holy ground at the top of Kurosawa-yama mountain, 659m above sea level. It is believed that thirteen-year-old children who visit this temple will be granted dignity, happiness, and wisdom. This 1200 year old traditional visit attracts tens of thousands visitors every year.




Nakayama Jinja - Rice Planting Festival
April 29th
This festival worships the god of farming and prays for an abundant harvest. About two dozen plowmen swing plows and pretend to plant rice while a lion dances to the music of the flutes and drums.

. Nakayama Jinja 中山神社 .



Azalea Blossom Festival 長法寺あじさい祭り
End of May
Kakuzan Park etc.
During this festival, a pageant of azalea blossoms celebrates the Tsuyama city flower. Hundreds of colorful potted dwarf azalea trees are exhibited every year. Potted dwarf trees and azalea seedlings are sold, and stalls serving Japanese green tea and various foods are set up.







Gongo Festival 津山ごんご祭り
Yoshii Riverbank Park
Celebrated on the first Saturday and Sunday in August in honor of Gongo (a kappa, one of Japan's mythical creatures), the Gongo Festival is a lively celebration with parades in the daytime and fireworks at night. A Gongo Dance Contest is held at the festival. The festival is held alongside the Yoshii River and on the opposite side are various vendors and food stands. Lanterns are hung from above and the fireworks are shot over the river.

. kappa 河童 the Water Goblin .




Lion Dance Festival 獅子舞 - 高田神社秋祭り
October 17th
Takata-jinja Shrine Autumn Festival - 高田神社秋祭り
This festival began around 710 A.D. to thank the gods for a good harvest. A male and female lion, each controlled by twelve dancers, perform a soul-stirring dance imitating a struggle. The lions keep time with the flutes and drums. The dance is believed to drive away the devil and impurity.







Tsuyama Matsuri 津山まつり
Held in mid-October at Tokumori Shrine, the highlight of this festival is the Daimyo Procession, in which they carry a portable shrine (mikoshi) from the shrine down through the Tamachi District.






Old Izumo Street Festival
出雲街道津山城東むかし町
Held on the first Sunday in November on Joto Street, this festival features a parade of individuals dressed in traditional Japanese clothing to remind everyone of the city's history as a part of the ancient pilgrimage to Izumo Shrine. Various other performances and events, such as tea ceremonies, are also held.

. Izumo Kaido, The Old Trade Road of Izumo .
出雲街道




. Okayama - Entries of this BLOG .


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External LINKS :


津山だんじり保存会館 | 津山まつり Tsuyama danjiri
- source : danjiri-jp.net


- source : www.tsuyama-ct.ac.jp

More in the WIKIPEDIA !

- Reference 津山まつり --

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Related words





. Regional Folk Toys from Japan - GANGU .　

. Regional Dishes from Japan - WASHOKU .


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