Tsunami Festival

Festival highlights

Highlights include “tsuchimori,” the placing of soil on the Hiromura Embankment, and a ceremony held in front of the Kannon Monument.

Tsuchimori carries on the former practice of transporting soil to repair the embankment; today, soil brought from a school is placed on the embankment.

The ceremony includes a Shinto rite, a flower offering and bowing at the Kannon Monument, and speeches by the mayor and guests.

Source: 津浪祭 | 和歌山県文化情報アーカイブ

Memories of the tsunami and hopes for disaster preparedness, carried on at the Hiromura Embankment

What to expect

The event begins with adding soil to the embankment, followed by a Shinto ceremony led by the chief priest of Hachiman Shrine.

Next, flowers are offered at the Kannon Monument opposite the venue, and attendees bow in prayer.

Finally, the festival’s presiding official and guests give speeches, bringing the morning ceremony to a close as attendees reflect on the victims and lessons in disaster preparedness.

Source: 津浪祭 - Wikipedia

How to take part

Local residents take part in placing soil, along with pupils from Hiro Elementary School and students from Taikyu Junior High School.

Today, soil is prepared on the school grounds and elsewhere the day before, then placed on the embankment on the morning of the event.

Location and access

Venue and address

Held at the Hiro Market wharf (in front of the Kannon Monument) and within the Hiro Port harbor grounds in front of the Hiromura Embankment.

Event venue 和歌山県広川町 広市場の波止と

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

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Dates and season

It is usually held on November 5.

The date is set to coincide with the day of the Ansei tsunami, and the soil-placing ceremony and service are held in the morning.

Accommodation and hotels PR

Nearby attractions

Nearby attractions include the Inamura no Hi no Yakata, where you can learn about tsunami preparedness; opportunities to watch shira-uo fishing; Hiro Hachimangu Shrine; a Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings; Suhara Beach; Nishihiro Beach; and Poppo Road.

Together with the Hiromura Embankment, the festival venue, these are places to learn about Hirogawa Town’s history of disaster preparedness and enjoy its local scenery.

Please check the operating status and visitor requirements of each facility before your visit.

Temples and shrinesHirogawa Town

広八幡神社

和歌山県有田郡広川町上中野にある神社

Visit the official page ↗ⓘ Photo and data sources

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写真：Opqr / CC BY-SA 4.0

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Facility data source

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 Tsunami Festival

The Tsunami Festival began in 1903, 50 years after the Ansei Great Tsunami of 1854.

It is said to have originated when local volunteers in Hiromura began adding soil to the embankment on day 5 of lunar month 11, to comfort the spirits of the victims and honor the contributions of Hamaguchi Goryo and others who built the Hiromura Embankment.

It has continued, changing in form over time, as a festival that passes on memories of the tsunami and awareness of disaster preparedness to future generations.

Source: 資料室 【津波防災】｜稲むらの火の館

Official information

Hirogawa Town’s official website features a page with information about the Tsunami Festival.

Tsunami Festival at a Glance

The Tsunami Festival is a festival held at the Hiromura Embankment in Hirogawa Town to mourn tsunami victims and pass on lessons in disaster preparedness.

Through tsuchimori and the ceremony in front of the Kannon Monument, people honor the contributions of Hamaguchi Goryo and others and renew their hopes for the community’s safety.

例年11月5日に行われます。