Traditional Japanese festivals and cultural exhibitions held in Nagano and Chiba

Various traditional Japanese festivals and cultural exhibitions are being highlighted in Nagano and Chiba prefectures.

In Otari Village, Nagano, Omiya Suwa Shrine is holding its annual festival. This event serves as a significant precursor to the ‘Nagikama-uchi Shingito’ ritual, which occurs once every seven years and is scheduled for August next year. The festivities include lantern processions, traditional dances, and portable shrine parades.

In Tako Town, Chiba, a special exhibition is being held at the Tako Town Community Plaza until August 29. The exhibition focuses on the Matsuzaki Shrine Shinkosai, a ritual that was held this March for the first time in 60 years. The Shinkosai is part of the ‘Boso no Ohama-ori’ customs, which are designated as a selected intangible folk cultural property of Japan. The exhibition features historical photographs, videos, and the actual portable shrines used during the ceremony to preserve the history of this Edo-period tradition.