Kataiwa’s floorboard-striking festival, rooted in a legend about defeating the Monkey God
Tatakido Festival
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Season / frequency
- It was formerly held every year on January 6 / Previously held every year (currently suspended)
- Location
- Kataiwa Hakusan Shrine
- Area
- Ishikawa Prefecture・Suzu City(From Tokyo: approx. 2 h 30 min–3 h · bullet train)Prefecture-level estimate to a main station or airport, not the venue. Airport access, check-in and onward travel are extra; remote areas and islands can take much longer.
- Last updated
- 2026/11/12
The Tatakido Festival, handed down in Kataiwa Town, Suzu City, is a city-designated intangible cultural property, known for its legend about defeating the Monkey God and for the actions involving red tabs and striking the floorboards. It has now been suspended because depopulation has made it difficult to continue.
About Tatakido Festival
The Tatakido Festival is a city-designated intangible cultural property handed down at Hakusan Shrine in Kataiwa Town, Suzu City, Ishikawa Prefecture.
It is based on a legend in which a daughter had to be offered to the Monkey God every year, until a mountain ascetic accompanied by a dog defeated him.
It has now been suspended because depopulation has made it difficult to continue.
Festival highlights
A distinctive feature is the custom of striking the floorboards, which gave the festival its name.
The head of the household circles the seating area while brandishing a red tab, then charges toward the inner sanctuary.
After that, while candles are placed and prayers are offered, worshippers all strike the floorboards at once with bai and cheer.
Kataiwa’s floorboard-striking festival, rooted in a legend about defeating the Monkey God
What to expect
In the past, the head of the household circled the seating area while brandishing a red tab, then charged toward the inner sanctuary.
At the inner sanctuary, candles are placed and prayers are offered. There, worshippers all strike the floorboards at once with bai and cheer.
This event links the progress of the festival with the actions of worshippers.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Kataiwa Hakusan Shrine / Kataiwa Town, Suzu City
Address Kataiwa Town, Suzu City, Ishikawa Prefecture 〒927-1323
Dates and season
- Season
It was formerly held every year on January 6
- Frequency
Previously held every year (currently suspended)
Accommodation and hotels PR
Showing nearby accommodation.
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 Ishikawa Prefecture / Suzu City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Origins and History of Tatakido Festival
The festival is rooted in a legend in which a daughter had to be offered to the Monkey God every year, until a mountain ascetic accompanied by a dog defeated him.
The custom of proceeding with a red tab held aloft while worshippers strike the floorboards with bai is connected to the festival’s name.
It is listed as a city-designated intangible cultural property, but has now been suspended because depopulation has made it difficult to continue.
Official information
The Suzu City website introduces the Tatakido Festival as a city-designated intangible cultural property.
It describes the legend about defeating the Monkey God that gave rise to the festival, the use of red tabs, and the custom of striking the floorboards with a bai.
The venue is Kataiwa Hakusan Shrine, located in Kataiwa Town, Suzu City.
Tatakido Festival at a Glance
The Tatakido Festival is a city-designated intangible cultural property handed down at Kataiwa Hakusan Shrine in Kataiwa Town, Suzu City.
Rooted in a legend about defeating the Monkey God, the festival formerly featured the head of the household proceeding with a red tab held aloft while worshippers struck the floorboards with bai.
It was held every year on January 6, but has now been suspended because depopulation has made it difficult to continue.
Sources and references
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/11/12
