A traditional prayer as a mochi-flower dashi and taiko drummers make their way through Awatabe
Awatabe’s “Horai Festival”
The 2026 edition of Awatabe’s “Horai Festival” has ended.
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/02/11Ended
- Season / frequency
- Every year February 11 / Every year
- Location
- Okafuto Shrine and the Awatabe neighborhood
- Area
- Fukui Prefecture・Echizen City(From Tokyo: approx. 2 h 50 min–3 h 20 min · bullet train)Prefecture-level estimate to a main station or airport, not the venue. Airport access, check-in and onward travel are extra; remote areas and islands can take much longer.
- Features
- Highlights and activities
- Wishes behind the festival
- Participation / viewing
- Open to public participation / spectators welcome
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
The Horai Festival, passed down in Awatabe, Echizen City, is a traditional event in which a decorated with mochi flowers and is pulled through the community. As an event at Okafuto Shrine, it carries on wishes for a good harvest and peace.
About Awatabe’s “Horai Festival”
The Horai Festival in Awatabe is a traditional Little New Year event held at Okafuto Shrine in Awatabe, Echizen City.
One theory holds that it began to celebrate the accession of Emperor Keitai, and it is associated with wishes for abundant harvests and peace throughout the land.
It has also been designated a Nationally Selected Intangible Folk Cultural Property and is carried on by a local preservation group.
Source: 文化財詳細 | 福井県文化財ページ / 越前粟田部蓬莱祀
Festival highlights
Highlights include a large dashi decorated with a chestnut tree bearing mochi flowers, gohei, and kagami mochi.
Its base is made from a bale of straw about 3 meters in diameter, creating an ornate display typical of a New Year event that visitors can view up close.
A distinctive feature is the procession through the district, accompanied by a lead singer and drummers.
A traditional prayer as a mochi-flower dashi and taiko drummers make their way through Awatabe
What to expect
During the event, a lead singer and taiko drummers accompany a dashi decorated with mochi flowers, gohei, and other ornaments as it is pulled through the Awatabe district.
This traditional event brings together the movement of the dashi through town and the sound of the music.
After the event, the mochi flowers that decorated the dashi are distributed to participants.
How to take part
Local people of all ages, from children to older residents of Awatabe, take part in pulling the dashi.
The extent to which general visitors can join as pullers depends on local arrangements and guidance on the day.
In addition to watching, you can also take note of how local people support the event.
If you wish to participate, check the guidance for the day with Okafuto Shrine or the Horai Festival Preservation Society.
Even if you are visiting only to watch, take care not to disrupt the dashi procession or the local organization of the event.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Okafuto Shrine and the Awatabe neighborhood in Echizen City.
Address Awatabe, Echizen City, Fukui Prefecture
Dates and season
2026 event information (the listed dates have passed)
The event is scheduled to take place on February 11 in 2026.
Echizen City lists this as the customary date for the event, when a ceremony and the procession of the dashi are held.
Source: まつりと伝統行事 - 越前市
Accommodation and hotels PR
Showing nearby accommodation.
Prices and availability are current at the time of retrieval. For multi-night stays, only the first night’s price is shown. Confirm the final price and directions to the venue with the booking provider. Select your dates again when using the area search link. Search area: within 3 km of Central Fukui Prefecture / Echizen City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Nearby attractions
Awatabe is home to many temples and shrines among its town streets, including Okafuto Shrine.
Nearby Hanagaki Park offers cherry blossoms in spring and autumn foliage.
If visiting in conjunction with the festival, enjoy a walk while keeping track of the event schedule and seasonal blooms.
「ちひろの生まれた家」記念館
福井県越前市の施設
かこさとし ふるさと絵本館「砳」
福井県越前市にある生涯学習施設
岡太神社
福井県越前市粟田部町にある神社。
武生中央公園
福井県越前市にある運動公園
紫式部公園
福井県越前市にある公園
越前和紙の里美術館
福井県の博物館・美術館のスポットです。
Origins and History of Awatabe’s “Horai Festival”
There are several theories about the origins of the Horai Festival, but the best-known tradition today says it began to celebrate the accession of Emperor Keitai.
In the past, the event was held on the 13th day of the New Year at Hakusan Shrine, now Okafuto Shrine.
Records from the Edo period also depict a large creation decorated with mochi flowers being pulled in procession to music.
Official information
The official “Echizen Awatabe Horai Festival” website, run by the event’s preservation group, provides information on its history, creations, festival events, route, and map.
Echizen City’s “Festivals and Traditional Events” page also introduces the event date and an overview of the festival.
Awatabe’s “Horai Festival” at a Glance
The Horai Festival in Awatabe is a traditional event at Okafuto Shrine, associated with a tradition celebrating the accession of Emperor Keitai and wishes for a good harvest.
A large dashi decorated with mochi flowers and gohei is pulled through the district to the accompaniment of singing and taiko drumming.
This cultural festival in Awatabe, Echizen City, is passed down by local people across generations.
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/10/19
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