Bonzuna

The Bon-zuna of Sanoko, Tsuchiura, is an observance in which a dragon-shaped rope is used to welcome ancestral spirits to each home. A custom is said to have been passed down in which children carry the rope around the cemetery and deliver it to each household.

About Bonzuna

The Sanoko Bon-zuna introduced by the Tsuchiura City Museum is a straw rope used to welcome ancestors.

The museum’s explanation says it is made on August 13 and that children carry it to the cemetery in the evening.

The sequence involves walking around the cemetery, placing ancestral spirits on the rope, and taking them to each home.

Source: 公式・博物館資料

Highlights and activities

A distinctive feature of Sanoko’s Bon-zuna is that, separately from the rope body, a dragon’s head is made with bamboo at its core.

A folded sandawara is used for the mouth, and eggplant was traditionally used for the eyes.

The use of familiar materials in its construction reflects local Obon customs.

A local annual event tracing the names of Bonzuna passed down in Tsuchiura City

Location and access

Address: Tsuchiura City

Host municipality 茨城県土浦市

This map shows the surrounding area, not the exact venue location.

Open in Google Maps

Travel by taxi PRFind a taxi or private transfer for your journey.Find a taxi on Kiwitaxi Long-distance buses are another option PRFind routes and fares from your departure point to your destination.Find highway buses on Rakuten Travel

Accommodation and hotels PR

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 Ibaraki Prefecture / Tsuchiura City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)

Supported by Rakuten Developers