Fukuura Festival

An autumn festival that begins at Sarutahiko Shrine in Fukuura Port and features a costumed parade led by a tengu and a sea procession of the .

About Fukuura Festival

Fukuura Festival is the autumn festival of Sarutahiko Shrine, the chief guardian shrine of Fukuura Port.

A tengu leads the procession from Sarutahiko Shrine to the sacred boat that makes the sea procession, while local residents stage a costumed parade.

Fukuura Port once prospered as a port of call for Kitamaebune trading ships, and the festival conveys the history of the port town and its ties to the sea.

In Heisei 14, it was designated an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Shika Town.

Festival highlights

The highlight is the costumed parade led by a ritual attendant known as a tengu.

Local residents take part in costume, forming a procession that heads from the shrine to the port.

As the mikoshi is carried aboard the sacred boat and makes a procession from port to port, boat songs can be heard from the vessel.

Fukuura Festival is characterized not only by its costumed parade, but also by its festival boat songs and strict formal procedures.

A costumed parade led by a tengu, from the shrine out to sea at Fukuura Festival

What to expect

At Fukuura Festival, a tengu leads the procession as it sets out from Sarutahiko Shrine, with local residents taking part in costume.

After leaving the shrine, the mikoshi is carried aboard the sacred boat, which makes a sea procession from port to port.

Boat songs are sung along the route, and the festival also preserves strict formal procedures.

According to Shika Town’s information, the festival comprises 3 days: the eve festival, main festival, and post-festival.

Location and access

Venue and address: Fukuura Port, Shika Town

Address Fukuura Port, Shika Town, Hakui District, Ishikawa Prefecture

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Dates and season

Season: Autumn

Accommodation and hotels PR

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Nearby attractions

Around Fukuura Port are several component cultural properties of a Japan Heritage site, including the Old Fukuura Lighthouse, Hiyoriyama, and the Directional Stone.

The Old Fukuura Lighthouse is located on the Hiyoriyama plateau at Fukuura Port, and Hiyoriyama offers a sweeping view of the Sea of Japan.

The Directional Stone is a stone compass donated in a prayer for safety at sea.

It offers clues to the history of Fukuura Port, the same port where Fukuura Festival is held.

Origins and History of Fukuura Festival

Fukuura Festival is said to comprise 3 days: the eve festival, main festival, and post-festival.

During the eve festival, a “lot-drawing ceremony” determines which boat will make the sea procession during the main festival. The boats used as sacred vessels are recorded as ships from 23 countries in the “Annual Grand Festival Sacred Boat Register.”

The present-day costumed parade is said to have grown out of hand dances performed by geisha to shamisen, , and music during the post-festival.

In Heisei 14January, it was designated an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Shika Town.

Official information

Shika Town’s website, under “Japan Heritage,” describes the festival’s 3-day structure, the lot-drawing ceremony that determines which boat will make the sea procession, and the origins of the costumed parade.