Ebisu Dawara

Festival highlights

A highlight is seeing the decorated rice-bale mikoshi pulled along the main street.

Participants carry lanterns and sing in a distinctive melodic style at doorsteps as they collect wrapped cash offerings.

In the past, the adult division was held at night, with candles lit in the lanterns and festival drums sounding.

The adult division is said to no longer take place, and the number of mikoshi has also declined.

A traditional harvest-prayer event featuring a rice-bale mikoshi and songs parading through town

What to expect

At the festival, rice-bale mikoshi made by each neighborhood association are placed on carts, then pulled by participants along the main street.

When they reach a doorstep, they stop and sing in a distinctive melodic style while collecting wrapped cash offerings.

After the procession, the mikoshi is dedicated at a shrine, and the wrapped cash offerings are distributed according to each person’s contribution to making it.

In recent years, boys from several neighborhood associations have sometimes taken part together.

How to take part

Traditionally, this event has been considered for men only, with boys taking responsibility for building the neighborhood association’s mikoshi and carrying it in procession.

On the other hand, because depopulation and a declining birthrate have led to a shortage of participants, some neighborhood associations have tried allowing girls to take part.

There is no information on whether general visitors can join in building or carrying the neighborhood association’s mikoshi, so please check in advance.

Even when watching, visitors are expected to take care not to disrupt the local event.

Location and access

Venue

Main street, shrine

Event venue 秋田県雄勝郡 表通り

This map uses the venue name. Check the official guide for the event area and entrances.

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Dates and season

Season

The old-calendar send-off Bon observance on August 15

Tips for your visit

During the procession, participants pull the rice-bale mikoshi along the main street and visit doorsteps.

When watching, it is important to observe quietly from a spot where you will not obstruct the mikoshi’s progress or the singing.

Traditionally, the event has featured candles in lanterns and festival drums at night, but please check the event notice for details of the current program.

Since this is an event organized by local neighborhood associations, take care not to join the procession without permission.

Origins and History of Ebisu Dawara

Ebisu Dawara has continued as a traditional event in Ogachi District, Akita Prefecture, with prayers for a good autumn harvest.

Traditionally, boys from the neighborhood associations make a mikoshi decorated with rice bales and dedicate it at a shrine after the procession.

In recent years, depopulation and declining birthrates have rapidly reduced the number of people who can carry on the tradition. Some neighborhood associations can no longer make a mikoshi on their own, and several have joined together to hold the event.

The adult division is said to have ended.

Ebisu Dawara at a Glance

Ebisu Dawara is a traditional event in Ogachi District, Akita Prefecture, where a mikoshi decorated with rice bales is pulled through the neighborhood as participants sing.

After the procession, the mikoshi is dedicated at a shrine, and the wrapped cash offerings are distributed according to each person’s contribution to making it.

The event has changed over time due to declining birthrates and depopulation, including joint events and the end of the adult division.