Street mochi-pounding

Festival highlights

Highlights include the mochi-pounding passed down on the streets and the hands-on work of shaping freshly pounded mochi.

The record of activities for Reiwa 7 shows mochi being pounded at the Regional Exchange Center Yū, then freshly pounded mochi being skillfully shaped into balls.

The mochi is distributed at 3 locations in the city, so the event extends beyond a single venue.

A homesick tradition of mochi-pounding connects Sunagawa at year’s end—a lasting scene in the city

What to expect

During the event, mochi is pounded, shaped while freshly made, and distributed at several locations in the city.

The activity record for Reiwa 7 documents mochi-pounding at the Regional Exchange Center Yū and the shaping of freshly pounded mochi.

The mochi-pounding preservation society organizes the event and shares its history as an itinerant year-end tradition.

Location and access

Venue and address

Regional Exchange Center Yū and other locations / central Sunagawa

Event venue 北海道砂川市 地域交流センターゆう

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

Dates and season

December 12, 2026

Accommodation and hotels PR

Origins and History of Street mochi-pounding

Street mochi-pounding traces its origins to free itinerant mochi-pounding begun by a kiba craftsman who came to Sunagawa from the Awa region in Meiji 32December, in memory of his hometown.

After the Cultural Property Protection Ordinance was established in Heisei 20June, and following a recommendation from the Cultural Property Protection Council, it was designated that year, on September 25, as the first intangible folk cultural property designated by Sunagawa City.

The Sunagawa Mochi-Pounding Preservation Society works to carry on the tradition as its custodial organization.

Official information

Sunagawa City website, “Street Mochi-Pounding,” a Sunagawa City-designated intangible folk cultural property

Street mochi-pounding at a Glance

Street mochi-pounding is a year-end event in Sunagawa City that traces its origins to itinerant mochi-pounding begun in Meiji 32 by a kiba craftsman from the Awa region.

In Heisei 20, it became the first intangible folk cultural property designated by Sunagawa City, and the Sunagawa Mochi-Pounding Preservation Society carries on the tradition.

During the activities in Reiwa 7, mochi was pounded at the Regional Exchange Center Yū, shaped while still fresh, and distributed at 3 locations in the city.