The frame-flag event of the Kumakō Hatsuka Festival

Festival highlights

The main highlight is the procession in which large, deep-red frame flags advance alongside the mikoshi.

Large groups of young people carry frame flags around 20 meters tall and parade with them to the sound of bells and drums.

At Kamohara, the Otabisho, the flags are tilted until they are just above the ground in a display called “Shimada Kuzushi,” and a fast circling dance is performed, bringing the festival to a peak.

Source: 【公式】お熊甲祭（おくまかぶとまつり）｜国指定重要無形民俗文化財 · The frame-flag event of the Kumakō Hatsuka Festival

A Nanao-Nakajima autumn festival with dancing deep-red frame flags

What to expect

Before the festival, a meeting is held on September 6 and offerings are received on September 19.

On the day, mikoshi and frame flags gather at the main shrine from 19 subordinate shrines. After the ritual, a procession led by the main shrine’s mikoshi proceeds to the Otabisho.

Sarutahiko dances to the beat of drums and bells, and the procession circles Kamohara 3 times.

Source: 国指定文化財等データベース

How to take part

Visitors can watch the event.

Location and access

Venue and address

Kumakabuto Arakashi-hiko Shrine (Kumakō Shrine), the otabisho, and Kamohara.

Train and bus

Shuttle buses run from Noto-Nakajima Station toward the Nakajima Festival Hall.

They operate from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the day, departing in time with train arrivals and departures.

By car

Temporary parking is available at locations including the Nakajima Festival Hall parking lot, Nakajima Elementary School, and the Kumaki Branch of the Nakajima Community Center.

Parking

It is about a 4-minute walk from the Nakajima Festival Hall parking lot to Kumakō Shrine, about a 15-minute walk from Nakajima Elementary School to Kamohara, and about a 4-minute walk from the Kumaki Branch of the Nakajima Community Center to Kamohara.

From the Nakajima Community Center, take a shuttle bus to the venue.

Source: アクセス - 【公式】お熊甲祭（おくまかぶとまつり）｜国指定重要無形民俗文化財 · The frame-flag event of the Kumakō Hatsuka Festival

Event venue 石川県七尾市 久麻加夫都阿良加志比古神社およびお旅所

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

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Dates and season

2026 Festival Information (The listed dates have passed)

A notice stated that the festival would be held on September 20 (Sunday) in 2026.

It is also called the “Hatsuka Festival” because it is held every year on September 20.

Preparatory events are also held before the day, including a meeting on September 6 and the reception of offerings on September 19.

Source: 令和8年9月20日（日） お熊甲祭 開催 - 【公式】お熊甲祭（おくまかぶとまつり）｜国指定重要無形民俗文化財 · The frame-flag event of the Kumakō Hatsuka Festival

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Nearby attractions

Parks and gardensNanao City

のとじま臨海公園水族館

石川県七尾市にある水族館

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写真：Fuseoyama / CC BY-SA 3.0

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Temples and shrinesNanao City

大地主神社

石川県七尾市にある神社

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写真：地主恵亮 / CC BY-SA 3.0

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Museums and art museumsNanao City

石川県七尾美術館

石川県七尾市にある美術館

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写真：Zangix / CC BY-SA 4.0

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Museums and art museumsNanao City

石川県能登島ガラス美術館

石川県七尾市にある美術館

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写真：小石川人晃 / CC BY-SA 4.0

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Attractions in the same municipality. Check each attraction’s official website for travel distances from the venue and current opening information.

Origins and History of The frame-flag event of the Kumakō Hatsuka Festival

The Wakubata Festival has been passed down in Noto Nakajima as both the festivals of each village’s local shrines and a major festival bringing the villages together around the Sōja shrine.

Official information explains that this “community gathering festival” tradition has continued unbroken since the Edo period.

On January 21, 1981, the frame-flag event of the Kumakō Hatsuka Festival was designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan.

Official information

The official O-Kumakō Festival website provides information about the event, an overview of the festival, and access to the venue.

Details about the event and its cultural-property designation can also be confirmed through the National Database of Designated Cultural Properties and Ishikawa Prefecture’s cultural-property information.

The frame-flag event of the Kumakō Hatsuka Festival at a Glance

The frame-flag event of the Kumakō Hatsuka Festival is an autumn festival and Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property, where 19 subordinate shrines in Nakajima, Nanao City, gather with mikoshi and large, deep-red frame flags.

Major highlights include Sarutahiko’s lively dancing, the sounds of bells and drums, and the “Shimada Kuzushi” at the Otabisho.

A notice stated that the festival would be held on September 20 (Sunday) in 2026, and information was provided about temporary parking and shuttle buses around the venue.