Kinomoto Jizo Dai-ennichi festival to be held in Nagahama

The Kinomoto Jizo Dai-ennichi festival will take place from August 22 to August 25 in the Kinomoto district of Nagahama, Shiga Prefecture. Centered around the Kinomoto Jizoin temple, the event honors the Jizo Bodhisattva, a deity believed to provide relief from eye diseases and ensure longevity.

Approximately 100 stalls will line the Hokkoku Kaido and Jizo-zaka areas, with an expected total of 100,000 visitors over the four-day period. The festival concludes on August 25 with the Kinomoto Fireworks Festival, featuring approximately 800 fireworks launched from the west side of the Kohoku THG Twin Arena.

The temple site is home to a six-meter-tall bronze statue of Jizo and is known for the ‘substitute frogs’ (migawari kaeru), which are said to have taken on the ailments of travelers. Local authorities have advised visitors to use public transportation due to expected congestion and planned traffic restrictions.